Does methylated spirits possess the same solvent properties as ethanol? Conducted an experiment using methylated spirits as a solvent and household products as solutes. The problem is that the methylated spirits fails to dissolve substances such as sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, paracetamol and glucose was only slightly soluble. I understand the unique nature of ethanol, being able to dissolve polar and non polar molecules, and I understand that methylated spirits is mostly ethanol. 