To think you could use body spray / mist as a hand sanitiser

[BDGR]

I can't find hand sanitiser in my local shops so have been looking for an alternative product. I know it needs to be over 60% alcohol to be effective against coronavirus so I've looked for products with alcohol denat listed as the first ingredient. Most body mists / body sprays have alcohol denat listed as the first ingredient. The alcohol denat used would be perfumers alcohol, which is 96% proof (i.e. strong enough to sanitise). So as long as the product formulation is at least 60% alcohol denat it should work as a sanitiser. Trouble is I can't find any information online on exactly what percentage of body mist is alcohol denat. Surely if it's the main ingredient it must be over 60% though. Does anyone know? If we can use body spray as hand sanitiser it's going to be a hell of a lot easier to find than hand gel. It's cheap as chips too.

Have you considered soap and hot water?

Can you imagine how much a 60% alcohol body spray would sting???

The only way you’re likely to find out that information is to contact the manufacturers directly and ask them.

Of course I use soap and water when Im at home. Kind of difficult on the morning commute though.

Soap and water is just as good, hand sanatiser only works properly when you wash your hands.

I bought one and sprayed it on my hands. I didn't sting at all.

Body spray isn't going to do the job you want it to do.
Don't touch your face on your commute. Wash your hands when you get to work or home.

The reason why soap is the best to get rid of the virus is because it breaks down the fat membrane surrounding it. This thread explains it well: twitter.com/PalliThordarson/status/1236549305189597189?s=20

So as already said, soap and hot-to-hand water is best. If you are commuting eg and can't wash your hands en route, and don't have hand sanitiser, don't touch your face until you can wash your hands. i very much doubt body spray will help, otherwise you might as well be washing your hands in vodka...?

Seriously, do not spray body spray over your hands on public transport. Such a ridiculous and self-absorbed idea

They are highly flammable aren't they?

I thought this was a really stupid question, until I read OP’s rationale. By extension, COULD you use vodka? Or any alcohol that was 60% proof?

I don't think it's a good idea. Can you imagine everyone spraying their hands when they get on/off the train/bus/tube. It would be awful for anyone with asthma walking anywhere near all that!

Sorry, are you seriously suggesting spraying perfume in the quantities you'd need to sanitise your hands, on your morning commute or at work?

Do you not think that might be a tiny, tiny bit selfish given all the people for whom it'll cause breathing difficulties (while also being bloody stupid ... just go to the nearest bathroom and WASH YOUR HANDS!).

I'm not an idiot - I have two science degrees and I know about hand washing and not touching my face. Please read the rationale in my post and if you have any useful information about body mist formulation please post. No need to patronise. I'm a 50 year old science graduate, not a fool (or self-absorbed, thank you).

Are they honorary degrees?

Vodka is ineffectual as it is only 40% alcohol.

I didn't say I'd spray it on the train - of course I wouldn't! I have asthma too! I wouldn't spray it around near anyone. I have a small bottle of liquid mist that I can spray neatly into my hand. I am just curious about in a theoretical sense. Calm down people and stop making so many assumptions.

It’s really annoying me that people keep repeating ‘Washing your hands is enough!’ NO IT ISNT! Hence why the counties whose governments keep repeating this nonsense are the countries with an ever growing number of new cases. IT IS NOT ENOUGH JUST TO WASH YOUR HANDS.

Vodka? My post clearly states it's made with 96% proof perfumers alcohol!

Why do you think the alcohol content must be over 60% if it's the main ingredient?

I would be surprised if it's so high - like a PP suggests, I think that would sting and it would be difficult to hide the smell

What should we be doing then.!?

That was to kitty

OP I'm using rubbing alcohol when there's no access to soap and water - have asthma and have to use the Tube - I can't see why deodorant would sting if the IA doesn't.

whether or not deodorant/perfume will kill it, I have no idea.

I don’t know why the U.K. government isn’t taking necessary precautions and is almost minimizing this? It’s like they don’t want to be the beaters of bad news so they’re letting everyone go about their daily lives just washing their hands more often than usual. And issuing totally pointless advice like ‘if you have a cold self isolate for 7 days.’ The Coronavirus has an incubation period of two weeks! Some people have no symptoms AT ALL for two weeks! Some people have very very mild symptoms or even none at all. Staying in for one week if you get a cold isn’t going to help anyone or anything. It’s honestly terrifying how poorly this is being dealt with in the U.K.

So annoying that everyone is ignoring the OP and answering what they think she said. I don't think it's a stupid question and I have read elsewhere that you could use cologne if really caught out. OP, with two science degrees you are better placed than me to judge, but if you find out from a trusted source I would be keen to know the answer.

Shame, Dione, you’re right. It seems that even rubbing alcohol won’t do, because it evaporates too quickly to be effective. (Disclaimer: I am NOT a scientist, not even close.)