eli5 Because alcohol kills bacteria, could someone reuse something like a shot glass over and over without cleaning and have no ill effect?

Question

eli5 Because alcohol kills bacteria, could someone reuse something like a shot glass over and over without cleaning and have no ill effect?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Assuming you use high enough proof alcohol, the glass would be effectively sterilized every time you filled it. I think you probably wouldn’t be taking a *safety* risk by doing this. But bacteria’s not the only way for things to be dirty. The damp glass will ciollect dust from the surrounding air, and the little bit of booze left in the bottom after you take a drink, will dry out and leave some solid residue that gets stuck to the inside. It probably won’t hurt you, but it *will* get nasty and crusty.