text: what is it about methylated spirits that makes it good for sterilising equipment etc.?   methylated spirits contains something like 95% pure alcohol, the rest is methanol. (the methanol is added to try and stop people drinking it). alcohol in general is toxic to cells. the higher the %% of alchohol in a substance is the higher its toxics abities. at 100% it is so toxic to cells either through poisoning (or osmosis effects (sp)) it well kill cells quickly. also due to its psyicial properties methylated spirits can quickly evporate into the air leaving the surface you applied to dry.