It is hypothetically safer for humans to use Isopropyl. Keep in mind, the concerns of exposure to denaturing ingredients are raised in industrial settings where copious amounts are used on a daily basis.
I’ve used denatured on my personal recording equipment for about 20 years. Before that I used it in video equipment in a TV studio… it was more common in that field. It is also familiar in the camping world for use in alcohol burning camp stoves.
I used to buy it in little 2-oz bottles of head cleaner made by GC Audiotex, Which is denatured ethanol. I still have an old bottle that I refill with Kleen-Strip S-L-X. It consists of ethanol denatured with methanol.
Like many cleaners it should be used with adequate ventilation (even 70% isopropyl warns “fumes may be harmful”). I recommend dipping the cleaning stick and immediately closing the container, so you don’t fill the area with fumes, whatever you’re using.
I’ve found it to be more effective on sticky shed than isopropyl. One could keep some around for those sticky occasions and use 99% isopropyl otherwise.
Either 99% isopropyl or denatured is fine for routine cleaning. I don’t know of any incidents where it has damaged plastic, but I’ve heard that concern before. I’ve wondered if perhaps someone mistakenly used acetone or lacquer thinner, since all these cans look alike and are found in painting supplies.
Hey, has anyone tried Jack Daniels on the tape path?
