Hand sanitiser sold out everywhere

[Bellini12]

I’m absolutely NOT in panic mode about the corona virus. However, I thought it may be sensible to get a couple of bottles of hand sanitiser for the kids to use at school and also for me as I have an Invisalign brace and do have to put my fingers in my mouth when out and about to remove it to eat when on the go if I don’t have access to wash facilities.
But it is sold out everywhere or charging crazy prices online. I suppose everyone else has had the same idea but I also expect there are a few panic buyers out there.
Do you think this will all calm down soon?

That’s a lot of gel! maybe it was a cafe home or something? I couldn’t order any via Tesco yesterday.

Probably selling at a profit

Yes they are at least 10 times the price on eBay!! Ludicrous!

You’ve kind of got to hope they get a dose (not fatal of course) in divine justice.

But surely the companies should take some responsibility and think about whether it's appropriate in a potential health crisis (we knew about it weeks ago) to sell 100 to one person leaving fewer for other people.

Oh sorry, I ordered from them on Sunday they had loads then.

They e loads in our local health food shop and in The White Company )£6 a v v small lovely smelling bottle 😬

I’m sure the ones in a health food shop will be all natural ie no alcohol (as advised to use) so probably no good.

H and B online none in stock anyway!

How long does an opened bottle of antibacterial gel last?! I've found an old one in the back of a cupboard but it's about 8 years old if not older!! No shops near me have any - superdrug, several pound shops, a few sainsburys, Lidl and aTesco local....

@inwood
Loads where I am in SE London.

Where abouts are you?

Most hand sanitiser is not effective against corona virus - it has to be60%+ alcohol to kill it.

Regular hand washing with soap and hot water is the most effective step, along with reducing contact by not shaking hands, hugging etc

I couldn't get any anywhere today so I'm making some with cheap vodka, aloe vera gel and essential oils for scent.
I know regular washing with soap is even better but like to have some for me and dd to carry in our bags while out too. I'm putting them into the reusable bottles I take my toiletries in on holiday that go through airport screenings

Everyone is chasing the 60%

When I home I always use soap because there’s loads around but on pt the gel is good

My local aldi (Northumberland) had loads in a huge cardboard box in front of the tills alongside a display of cold and flu meds. Every shop in my town is out of stock and the isles were full of people looking for it. Nobody was buying it in Aldi tho.

Surgical spirit is very high (something like 95%). I read you can mix it in with aloe vera gel, or add it to a weaker strenght hand gel.

I got 99.9% rubbing alcohol and some aloe Vera gel so will be making my own. I suppose i can add some nice smelly to it .

@Mrsfussypants1 could it be because it’s not the right strength? Does anyone know?

Just checked my DDs primark one and it isn’t. One of the large pump ones from b&m isn’t either (pure Klenz), but I will top up with surgical spirit (pleased someone help me do the maths as to how much spirit I’d need to add to a 250ml bottle? It’s already 50% alcohol)

What would be helpful is a list in one place saying brands known to be 60%+? Eg I know the following are, but others?

Purell, clinell, cuticura, carex, Tesco own brand, etc?

Interestingly on the teeny amount of carex in have left (last 1/4 of a love hearts one I got weeks ago ) it says ‘product of Indonesia’ so if that’s where it is made, it’s going to take a while for stocks to come back up?

Terrible typos, apologies.

It's frustrating that this is the second week that Tesco has hand gel and wipes in stock when I order (weekend) and by the time my Tues or Weds evening order arrives it is substituted.

Wonder if I would be available if I ordered for an 8am slot.

most hand sanitiser is not effective against corona virus - it has to be60%+ alcohol to kill it.
This has been repeated to death on these threads! There are plenty gels with 60% or over alcohol levels.

And for the umpteenth time....we cant all wash our hands every hour or so at work. The public are generally gross when it comes to hygiene. I will stick with gel as and when i need it. unless supermarkets start putting sinks and soap/towels at our checkouts

I rarely used hand gel until i got diagnosed with an auto immune disease recently and am on heavy duty immunosuppresssnts so now i am not taking any chances.

Can people just stop with the "just wash your hands frequently" stuff now please?

You don't really have to wash your hands every hour though. Just don't touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth, in the meantime until you have had chance to wash them.

I’m not really worried about corona, but was a little worried about the rush on hand sanitizers as this is something I have used regularly for years and would be lost without my little bottle.

Although shops are empty around my area, luckily my employer has started to provide bottles for staff to use and take home. Not my preferred makes/blend, but good enough. I would encourage people worried that they can’t get hold of it to speak to employers as they may have a stock or a contract with hygiene suppliers.

Train yourself to avoid touching poles, buttons and so on as much as possible on public transport (or wear gloves if you have no choice, then take the gloves off and put them in a bag by themselves).

Keep your phone away for the whole of the journey - don't take it out until you've reached your destination and washed your hands properly with soap.

If all else fails a couple of wet, very soapy flannels in a plastic bag could help if the soap is enough to disrupt the lipid envelope of the virus (I think this might be possible).

From 31 Jan 2020, about shortages - www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51329171. This has been on the cards for ages. With luck, the shortages a month ago will have triggered more of these products to be manufactured, so supply might catch up with demand.

I do use it regularly anyway, always have a bottle in my bag but only when I'm about to eat something when out somewhere with no hand washing facilities. I don't just use it as and when.