Is it possible to distill (almost) pure ethanol from mouthwash?!
Answers: I know it's possible at a certain temp, but how many poisonous chemicals would get in the process? Even if I did multiple distillations?
Yes it's theoretically possible assuming the mouthwash shows ethanol on the ingredient line. The other components are not poisonous except maybe at extremely high concentrations because they would not put them in mouthwash.
What will most likely happen during distillation (assuming you have a regular still) is that other volatile components will come over with the ethanol. They can be separated by very careful partitioning during the condensation. Not sure what the purity will be. It could get expensive and time consuming. Why not just buy grain alcohol. I guess you know the highest proof you can get with distillation is 190.
PhD Food Chemistry and Nutrition
It is truly cheaper and simpler to go out and buy a bottle of your choice of alcohol. It would be a serious waste of time and energy to try to distill alcohol from mouthwash. I recommend a bottle of Jagermeister and some Red Bull.
Good times!!!
Possible? Yes. Smart or legal? No.