Wipe down the thermometer with alcohol-based wipes (at least 70% alcohol) or rubbing alcohol. Rinse the thermometer to remove the alcohol. Lastly, wipe it dry with a soft cloth.

To clean and disinfect a digital thermometer, first, wipe your digital thermometer with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, said Stoll. Rubbing alcohol with an alcohol level of 60% or higher ...

In actuality, this liquid is more often alcohol than mercury. Another advantage of alcohol is that the freezing temperature of mercury is around -38F, so a mercury thermometer is not useful in ...

If you have rubbing alcohol on hand, wipe down the thermometer applicator with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol to sanitize it. Rinse it off again to remove the alcohol, advises Dr. Erstein.

Unfortunately, old-school dial thermometers are decidedly less useful for taking your temperature. They can work, provided that they can measure temperatures in the 100ºF range with single-degree ...

Another advantage of alcohol is that the freezing temperature of mercury is around -38 degrees Fahrenheit, so a mercury thermometer is not useful in extremely cold weather.