Alcohol
Definition
Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that is strongly discouraged within BDSM due to its negative effect on perception, boundaries, and safety. At the same time, alcohol plays an important and positive role as a disinfectant, used for hygiene and infection prevention on skin, hands, and materials within safe BDSM experiences.
Explanation of alcohol
BDSM is all about presence, attunement, and conscious surrender. Alcohol is diametrically opposed to this. Although alcohol is often seen as something that relaxes or lowers inhibitions, in reality it has a numbing effect on both the body and mind. For a submissive, alcohol can cause pain to be felt less intensely, boundaries to become blurred, and signs of overload to be recognized too late. The sub may think that he or she can “handle more,” while the body is already crossing the line. Alcohol can also have a confusing effect emotionally: feelings are intensified or, conversely, flattened, which makes it more difficult to process an intense experience.
For the Dominant, alcohol is just as problematic. Dominance requires sharpness, observation skills, and responsibility. Alcohol reduces reaction time, judgment, and empathic attunement. A Dominant under the influence may miss subtle signals, underestimate risks, or go too far without realizing it. Because the Dominant always bears ultimate responsibility for safety in BDSM, alcohol consumption makes this role fundamentally incompatible with careful play. What “feels good” in the moment may turn out to be unsafe or transgressive in hindsight.
Alcohol as a disinfectant within BDSM
In addition to the discouraged consumption of alcohol during BDSM, alcohol plays a very different, positive, and necessary role within safe BDSM experiences: as a disinfectant. In this context, it is emphatically not about drinking, but about the use of alcohol solutions to clean skin, materials, and tools and reduce the risk of infection. Within BDSM, attributes are regularly used that touch the skin, exert pressure, or can even cause microdamage. Think of needles, clamps, dilators, fish hooks, rope, metal toys, or the skin itself before intense play. Good hygiene is therefore not a luxury, but a basic requirement for safety and care.
Alcohol has a disinfecting effect because it inactivates bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is versatile, evaporates quickly, and leaves no residue. That is precisely why it is standard equipment in many playrooms, studios, and first aid kits. However, its use requires knowledge: not every concentration is suitable for every application, and incorrect use can irritate the skin or be less effective.
Which alcohol percentages are suitable for which purposes
The following concentrations are mainly used for disinfection within BDSM:
- 70% alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol)
- This is the most commonly used and most effective concentration for skin disinfection. Suitable for:
- cleaning skin before needle play, fish hooks (without barbs), superficial skin irritations
- disinfecting hands
- cleaning metal toys before and after use
- 70% alcohol works better than higher concentrations because it evaporates more slowly and can therefore penetrate deeper into microorganisms.
- 60–70% alcohol
- Often used in hand disinfectants and sprays. Suitable for:
- general hygiene
- cleaning surfaces
- quick disinfection between procedures
- 90–96% alcohol
- This high concentration is not recommended for skin disinfection. It evaporates too quickly and can severely dry out or irritate the skin. However, it can be used for:
- cleaning non-porous surfaces
- degreasing metal materials before sterilization
- removing adhesive residue or grease
Alcohol is not suitable for cleaning porous materials such as wood, leather, or uncoated rope; these require other cleaning methods.
Safety and points to consider
The use of alcohol during BDSM play is strongly discouraged in serious and professional circles. Important points to consider are:
- Alcohol distorts pain perception and can lead to physical damage that is only noticed later.
- Safewords lose their reliability when someone is under the influence.
- Coordination and muscle control decrease, which increases risks during bondage, impact play, or restraint.
- Consent becomes legally and ethically problematic when someone is under the influence.
- Alcohol increases the likelihood of impulsive behavior and misjudgments.
Many dungeons, play locations, and professional Dominants therefore have a strict zero-tolerance policy: no alcohol before or during play.
Although alcohol is valuable as a disinfectant, there are also important considerations here.
Alcohol should never be used on large open wounds or deeply damaged skin, as it irritates tissue and can interfere with the healing process.
Alcohol is flammable, so never use it in combination with fire play or near open flames.
Always allow alcohol to evaporate completely before resuming play.
It is important to be careful in intimate areas: mucous membranes are more sensitive and are best cleaned with suitable products.
And of course: disinfectant alcohol is for external use only.
Related terms alcohol
Consensual
Consent
Hygiene
RACK
Safeword
SSC
SSICK
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