Rubbing alcohol stains ruin a tabletop’s appearance. … Rubbing alcohol is capable of dissolving finishes such as shellac and varnish and permanently damaging wood. The longer rubbing alcohol stains remain on wood, the more damaged tabletops become.
In this regard, is alcohol safe to clean wood?
Rubbing alcohol, also called isopropyl alcohol, poses a hazard to most wood furniture finishes. Even in small quantities, such as spatter drops, rubbing alcohol does more than leave a stain on wood. The alcohol acts as a solvent, destroying wood furniture finishes on contact.