People get tripped up over this time and again.The common word is alcohol but does that mean wine or beer as both contains alcohol? Yes alcohol from chemistry days means a certain type of liquid but in real life the alcohol is denatured
which means not in it's purest form.Some people will say not any alcohol will do as for example,alcohol found in pharmacy
shop contains a bit of castor oil,(hence denatured,mixed with something else,I suppose it's has anti septic properties but would be bad for cleaning camera lenses) so you need "pure" alcohol.Some say laboratory grade alcohol,so who sells that and must cost more right? The common name is isoprophyl alcohol and some are just that even if bought at pharmacy or beauty/cosmetics shop.
So the word is denatured alcohol,it's a general term for a group of volatile liquids for industrial use like paint thinner.
Here is a good practical and easily available one that can be bought at your friendly paint or hardware shop,it's called
Methelated spirit but don't buy "thinner" as it is stronger and will melt plastics found commonly in cameras and lenses.
The hokkien word is "fire liqour"/"huay chiu" and make sure the label is printed Methelated spirit and not "thinner".Double check it by opening the cap and have a whiff of the liquid,it will smell odourless (well almost) and feels cool,dip your finger in it will wet and evaporate almost instantly.It may not be pure but for most purposes highly usable.Pay $5 dollars for a 750ml bottle that will last a long time. Please do not use lens cleaning paper,it may cause scratches but even cotton wool or synthetic ones too but in general it depends on how much pressure you apply.
Cotton buds on plastic sticks are just as useful.
Here is tip if there is a oil stain left after alcohol use ,wet the bud again or use a new one and redo,in most cases
the stain will go off.Happy now?