Does adding a few drops of dettol to shower gel make it "anti-bacterial" ?

[R2221]

I have given up on finding any handwash in the shops. Does adding a few drops of dettol to a shower gel make it an anti-bacterial hand wash??

@Allaboardthemagicbus2020 I make up bleach solution in a spray bottle. Obviously I don't use this all the time, just when someone has a virus.

I have bleach (and dettol). Am just thinking I want to wash down every surface with bleach (no harm considering how infrequently this house gets cleaned!)

But is there any point in a shared house of students travelling in and around London ? they will bring it back it into the house surely?

So why does it say on Dettol bottle it will kill Coronavirus?

This video explaining what soap does to a virus
metro.co.uk/2020/03/12/need-wash-hands-soap-12387314/

I don’t know about coronavirus specifically but viruses generally are not good at living on hard surfaces, so most cleaning products I expect will kill them. They are essentially parasites and need a host cell to ‘live’ in so don’t survive well when not on a living thing.

So everyone does know some Dettol products kill 99.99% of bacteria AND virus. Right? It’s a sensible question.

OP, to be honest I’m not entirely sure about the % of dettol and shower gel you would need to make it effective. But there are some instructions on the side about diluting it so perhaps use similar ratio?

However, my friend is a production manager at a cosmetics company and they are switching to making hand gel (60% alcohol) it will be on their website soon. Not profiting from it it will be c. £3 a bottle). If you want notice when it is going on sale PM me

The water doesn’t particularly need to be hot, does it? We can’t tolerate water hot enough to actually kill the virus, it’s the soap which does that. The water temperature is about comfort and lathering.

This is quite correct. The only think that matters is being thorough.

So why does it say on Dettol bottle it will kill Coronavirus?

Does it? If so it isn't true, because it isn't alive. Neat detol may well destroy the virus, but that isn't the point. Soap applied well will remove any viruses and a few drops of detol will make no difference.

Dirtydancing: but as everyone is explaining, dettol / any antibac is not needed when washing with soap / shower gel and water. Normal soap is absolutely fine!

@Allaboardthemagicbus2020 focus on giving light switches, door handles and taps a bleaching once a day as these are things that get touched frequently and then you e.g touch your mouth after. Obviously wipe down surfaces before food prep.
@MilkLady02 lots of viruses can survive days on hard surfaces, it is soft ones that they are not good on.

Thank you for the simple explanations because I must admit I get very confused about bacterial / viral etc.

I am really fastidious about hand washing but it could be using any soap or detergent whatsoever, so glad to hear that's the right thing to do.

There are plenty of bars of soap in the shops. Liquid soap isn't any better than good old fashioned bar soap, yet people seem to have gone off the idea of soap. No idea why. I feel cleaner when using soap.

And bus poles, public doors, public toilets, flushers, taps, etc ?

Currently, I am keeping to my usual good hygiene in those places (wash hands thoroughly and use sleeve for door handle).

Buses/trains - think I will use hand cleanser and wear gloves in the hope that will remind me not to touch face.

@Allaboardthemagicbus2020 try to do as much with your elbow as possible, if not high alcohol gel. Though Dr (family member) did suggest disposable gloves for outings inc. round the supermarket and giving packaging a wipe over before putting it away.

I constantly touch my hair and face. Use a scarf when out and try and cover mouth but forget.

is it best to stay in then? Avoid going out unless necessary?

www.dettol.co.uk/about-us/understanding-coronavirus/

Detail doesn't kill viruses bleach does.

the little chemist near me had handwash and also had toilet roll. I actually was collecting a prescription and spent the time waiting browsing.

You might be lucky to get some in a shop like that. Or a independent discount shop.

For those who don’t believe me!

And the lavender dettol is the same.

I got some bars of 14p soap in my big Tesco.

I made my own gel - rubbing alcohol (99.9%) and aloe Vera gel. It honks!

A nip of Dettol in the DC’s bath
I used to have Dettol baths on a Sunday night when I was in primary not sure why but we all did classroom stunk ona Monday 😀