<p>Dish soap will remove grease very well. Once you rinse it with a moist sponge and dry with a clean cloth most residues will be gone.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-03T04:17:12.487Z
I recently tried cleaning a glass build plate with Dawn dish detergent and rinsed it thoroughly but the PLA wouldn't stick until I went over it with iso. I think it must have left a residue.
DoxyLover
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-30T10:37:26.860Z
2020-03-30T10:37:26.860Z
FarO
<p>The <a href="https://cdn.prusa3d.com/downloads/manual/prusa3d_manual_mk3s_en_3_12.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Prusa manual</a> also states that you can use Windex for PET-G:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>use Windex instead as it degreases less thoroughly.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Also works with PLA, I've tested it, but for assured adherence, I also use a little swipe of the glue stick included with the printer. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-10T00:39:45.120Z
For PET-G I'm been using the Aqua-Net hairspray on one side of the bed.  The other side is kept hairspray-free and is cleaned with IPA.  My 95% is now diluted to about 71%, and IPA is not yet in the stores.
cmm
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-31T19:31:55.853Z
2020-04-01T07:01:13.170Z
2020-04-01T07:01:13.170Z
Migster
<p><strong>Ethanol</strong> (Ethyl Alcohol) should work just fine as long as it's around 80% or more. It's very similar to isopropanol as a cleaning solvent. What you're basically doing is removing any stray grease from the bed with a solvent that evaporates quickly. </p>

<p><strong>Methanol</strong> would also probably work. It's very poisonous though, and shouldn't come into contact with your skin, so it requires a bit more careful handling. Methanol also has the benefit that it can't be used for hand sanitizer (since it's absorbed through the skin), so supplies shouldn't run out. </p>

<p>Look for alternative sources, for example, methanol is often sold as de-icing agent for pneumatic brakes on trucks. Just make sure it's pure alcohol without anything funky added. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-29T05:04:53.863Z
Beware of methanol, it can turn you blind. It is easily absorbed by the skin.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-29T09:08:55.827Z
Good point, just don't get it on your hands, don't drink it (10 ml will cause blindness, 30 ml will probably kill you), and don't use so much that you're huffing vapors and you'll be fine.
Stuggi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-30T10:37:52.023Z
Don't use methaol, it's an unnecessary risk.
FarO
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-10T00:38:07.327Z
I'll stay away from methanol.  I wonder if the ATF would understand that my still was only so that I could clean my printer bed.
cmm
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-30T18:32:13.517Z
Methanol is not as bad as everyone says.  As a matter of fact for severe ethanol poisoning (over-drinking) they give you methanol because it flushes the ethanol.
mark-hahn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-15T16:01:19.623Z
You've completely misunderstood something, the treatment for methanol poisoning is ethanol, not the other way around. Methanol is very poisonous, but it won't kill you if you use it responsibly.
Stuggi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-09T16:41:25.170Z
I've been using ethanol exclusively as that's what I had on hand. It's only 70% but it still seems to work well. Coupled with a micro-fiber rag it keeps the print bed looking fresh.
Alan Fluka
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-28T23:06:21.273Z
2020-03-29T09:12:02.203Z
2020-03-29T09:12:02.203Z
Stuggi
<p>I have the original Prusa i3m3 printer.  Prusa recommends cleaning the bed before each print with isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), with only occasional cleaning with acetone.  The textured bed prohibits using acetone.</p>

<p>Given the SARS-COV-2 situation and COVID-19, isopropanol is impossible to find, and will not be in stock on shelves in the US for months.</p>

<p>What would you suggest as an alternative that might still be found on store shelves?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-26T01:58:42.990Z
Why not order it on Amazon? Looks like they can get it for you and you don't have to go out to get it.
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-26T03:07:30.977Z
Do they have it now? Last I looked they were out. I'll look again.  Wow, $29/liter is pretty stiff.
cmm
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-26T10:38:51.590Z
When I looked yesterday, it was 1/2 that amount ... that said, *beggars cannot be choosers*. Besides, anything which acts as IPA is going to cost like IPA, considering the current world circumstance.
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-26T15:20:11.677Z
Everclear? Or maybe even just vodka? :-)
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
<prusa-i3><acetone><cleaning><bed><pei>
PRUSA likes the bed to be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol. What else should I use?
cmm
# PRUSA likes the bed to be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol. What else should I use?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-03-26)

I have the original Prusa i3m3 printer. Prusa recommends cleaning the bed before each print with isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), with only occasional cleaning with acetone. The textured bed prohibits using acetone.

Given the SARS-COV-2 situation and COVID-19, isopropanol is impossible to find, and will not be in stock on shelves in the US for months.

What would you suggest as an alternative that might still be found on store shelves?

**Tags:** prusa-i3, acetone, cleaning, bed, pei

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Why not order it on Amazon? Looks like they can get it for you and you don't have to go out to get it.  
> **username_0**: Do they have it now? Last I looked they were out. I'll look again.  Wow, $29/liter is pretty stiff.  
> **username_1**: When I looked yesterday, it was 1/2 that amount ... that said, *beggars cannot be choosers*. Besides, anything which acts as IPA is going to cost like IPA, considering the current world circumstance.  
> **username_2**: Everclear? Or maybe even just vodka? :-)  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2020-03-28. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

**Ethanol** (Ethyl Alcohol) should work just fine as long as it's around 80% or more. It's very similar to isopropanol as a cleaning solvent. What you're basically doing is removing any stray grease from the bed with a solvent that evaporates quickly.

**Methanol** would also probably work. It's very poisonous though, and shouldn't come into contact with your skin, so it requires a bit more careful handling. Methanol also has the benefit that it can't be used for hand sanitizer (since it's absorbed through the skin), so supplies shouldn't run out.

Look for alternative sources, for example, methanol is often sold as de-icing agent for pneumatic brakes on trucks. Just make sure it's pure alcohol without anything funky added.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: Beware of methanol, it can turn you blind. It is easily absorbed by the skin.  
> **username_6**: Good point, just don't get it on your hands, don't drink it (10 ml will cause blindness, 30 ml will probably kill you), and don't use so much that you're huffing vapors and you'll be fine.  
> **username_3**: Don't use methaol, it's an unnecessary risk.  
> **username_0**: I'll stay away from methanol.  I wonder if the ATF would understand that my still was only so that I could clean my printer bed.  
> **username_8**: Methanol is not as bad as everyone says.  As a matter of fact for severe ethanol poisoning (over-drinking) they give you methanol because it flushes the ethanol.  
> **username_6**: You've completely misunderstood something, the treatment for methanol poisoning is ethanol, not the other way around. Methanol is very poisonous, but it won't kill you if you use it responsibly.  
> **username_9**: I've been using ethanol exclusively as that's what I had on hand. It's only 70% but it still seems to work well. Coupled with a micro-fiber rag it keeps the print bed looking fresh.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-03-30. Score: 1

Dish soap will remove grease very well. Once you rinse it with a moist sponge and dry with a clean cloth most residues will be gone.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: I recently tried cleaning a glass build plate with Dawn dish detergent and rinsed it thoroughly but the PLA wouldn't stick until I went over it with iso. I think it must have left a residue.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2020-03-31. Score: 1

The [Prusa manual](https://cdn.prusa3d.com/downloads/manual/prusa3d_manual_mk3s_en_3_12.pdf) also states that you can use Windex for PET-G:

> use Windex instead as it degreases less thoroughly.

Also works with PLA, I've tested it, but for assured adherence, I also use a little swipe of the glue stick included with the printer.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: For PET-G I'm been using the Aqua-Net hairspray on one side of the bed.  The other side is kept hairspray-free and is cleaned with IPA.  My 95% is now diluted to about 71%, and IPA is not yet in the stores.  

---

