The difficulty in finding hand sanitizer

[bcla]

I'm not quite sure why it's so hard. My wife managed to buy some off-branded hand sanitizer online, but it was rather pricey (I think - didn't ask) and the bottles are kind of small. It's hard to mess up 65% alcohol though.

I've been hearing of many distilleries making it since they can get access to medicinal grade alcohol, but most seem to be donating them to fire/police departments. Some toiletries companies are selling it too, but I'm not sure about paying $10 (plus shipping) for less than 3 oz when I remember I could get a liter for about $5. I've been trying to find anything and zero has been available at any drug store, supermarket, discount store (Target, Walmart), or warehouse store. None of the major physical retailers are selling these online.

I'm watching some video on a lab at UC Berkeley where the students figured they might spend time making hand sanitizer using a standard World Health Organization recipe, and they ended up donating it to the San Francisco Jail for use by jail staff and inmates. I do kind of wonder about it since I've heard that many jails and prisons don't allow it since inmates have learned how to make prison hooch from it. In Ireland they're substituting a non-alcohol hand sanitizer, which some feel may not be as effective.

https://www.thejournal.ie/prisoners-given-alcohol-free-hand-sanitiser-5047524-Mar2020/

 

[barkley]

I've been hearing of many distilleries making it since they can get access to medicinal grade alcohol, but most seem to be donating them to fire/police departments

our local got fed approval and gave it's initial batches to agencies in need and high risk groups. as word spread local businesses started donating bottles, containers and other needed items so that as fast as the distillery can produce the product it is being provided (free of charge) to the public (high risk has first priority-then anyone). as it's produced the local agencies let them know of need b/c for the time being it's easier for them to get products from many suppliers vs. the general public around here.

 

[godisney14]

It’s now pretty much impossible to even find 90%+ isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

 

[elphaba91]

My mum works in a large pharmacy here in Australia. Up until very recently all supplies of hand sanitiser were being sent to hospitals, etc. They’ve started having some trickle in, although it’s snapped up very quickly. The TGA (our version of the FDA) has allowed manufacturers to sell it without approval now, so that will hopefully make it easier to get hold of. Really though, when you are at home you are better with soap and water so only really need hand sanitiser if you are unable to access those!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I was lucky enough to find sanitizer thanks to my ds. He has a fog machine and was looking at the company he purchases from. Since the virus has no one buying fog juice, they switched to making hand sanitizer. They put up their production daily And it goes quick. But, if you keep watching, you can snag a gallon. It is froggysfog.com my order arrives tomorrow. They say this is a liquid not a gel sanitizer meant to be sprayed. If I can’t put this on here, just delete, but thought I would share my find. Be safe and be well!

I just ordered a gallon. Used a 10% off coupon. Should be a 2-3 day delivery. Thanks much.

Thank you again.


View attachment 487772

Saw this in another thread -- checked the site -- sounds easy enough to order and the above poster appears to have received his gallon quickly and in good order.

 

[kymom99]

It’s now pretty much impossible to even find 90%+ isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

Dollar tree in my area had small bottles

 

[tvguy]

Mini-mart where I buy my Lottery tickets had some 10 ounce bottles of no brand hand sanitizer fro $9.99

 

[nkereina]

I've twice been able to catch Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer in stock by checking their site between 6-7am eastern time. That seems to be when they load their inventory each day. I've seen it generally stay in stock for an hour or two. Its not the cheapest, but better than nothing!

 

[smokeyblue]

It's was very frustrating how hard it was to get hand sanitizer for my essential workplace. At first, all the places that had switched to making hand sanitizer were only selling bulk to healthcare and only allowing purchase of one or two tiny bottles to the public. I finally located a tour company in Detroit that had switched up their business to making sanitizer and was only selling by the gallon. In the last week I've seen more places that will sell by the gallon.

I had placed an order for 10 ea. 12 oz bottles of Purrel just over a month ago from Staples and it arrives today. I've tried to order more, but everything has been listed out of stock for weeks. I also have orders in with 2 other suppliers, but they haven't been able to deliver yet either.

 

[jrmasm]

I've twice been able to catch Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer in stock by checking their site between 6-7am eastern time. That seems to be when they load their inventory each day. I've seen it generally stay in stock for an hour or two. Its not the cheapest, but better than nothing!

Thanks. Was just able to order some!

 

[antmaril]

I've twice been able to catch Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer in stock by checking their site between 6-7am eastern time. That seems to be when they load their inventory each day. I've seen it generally stay in stock for an hour or two. Its not the cheapest, but better than nothing!

Thanks! I just checked B&BW and was able to order some hand sanitizer.

 

[Farro]

I've twice been able to catch Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer in stock by checking their site between 6-7am eastern time. That seems to be when they load their inventory each day. I've seen it generally stay in stock for an hour or two. Its not the cheapest, but better than nothing!

Thanks!!! Scored a 5 pack! Now we can smell like An optimistic blend of fresh raspberries, sparkling pear & pink lily petals!

 

[cabanafrau]

Distilleries aren't able to get access to medicinal grade alcohol, they're distilling it to make the hand sanitizer. Several craft breweries are also doing so because they are also able to distill the alcohol.

I believe Atwater Brewing out of Detroit is selling to the public so you may be able to get the info on their website.

 

[bcla]

Distilleries aren't able to get access to medicinal grade alcohol, they're distilling it to make the hand sanitizer. Several craft breweries are also doing so because they are also able to distill the alcohol.

I believe Atwater Brewing out of Detroit is selling to the public so you may be able to get the info on their website.

I heard some use plain alcohol cut into a beverage. Some tequila is cut with neutral alcohol because it’s cheaper. I wasn’t sure it would be cost effective to distill alcohol with the fancy stills that distilleries have.

 

[a1tinkfans]

... and toilet paper, paper napkins, wipes,
The list just keeps growing yet we re told production wasn’t reduced.
Hoarders... it’s like watching those coupon
Extreme people... when on Earth will they drink 100+ bottles of that cheap sugary drink.
Now? And health issues, later Ugh!

 

[bcla]

The #1 brand in the US is Purell, and the manufacturer (GOJO) has been prioritizing distribution to hospitals, fire/police, military, and (they say) grocery workers. I guess with the latter they wouldn’t be sending pallets worth for retail sale.

This is really frustrating because there’s no shortage of the materials to make it. I’m not looking to hoard it, but the small stash that my wife overpaid to get isn’t going to last.

 

[Eeyore daily]

I found a big bottle of an off brand at Aldi last month so I bought one bottle then. Yesterday I felt like I won the lotto since I found a two pack travel size purell hand santizer and I only found that by accident. I haven't bothered looking otherwise.

 

[SamFaniam]

Distilleries aren't able to get access to medicinal grade alcohol, they're distilling it to make the hand sanitizer. Several craft breweries are also doing so because they are also able to distill the alcohol.

I believe Atwater Brewing out of Detroit is selling to the public so you may be able to get the info on their website.

There was an article on the news here about one of the local tequila producers switching to making hand sanitizer. He said the issue wasn’t alcohol, it was getting a hold of buffers like aloe.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Just grabbed this. Hurry if you want to buy it! Limit 1 per order.

https://www.target.com/p/art-naturals-hand-sanitizer-scent-free---7-4oz/-/A-79706514

 

[antmaril]

Thanks! Got the one from Target.