# Refilling hand disinfectant from one bottle to another - OK? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [May 9, 2021, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697 "2021-05-09T10:29:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/1 "2021-05-09T10:29:02Z")
I have a bottle of clinical grade hand disinfectant (Sterillium) in my home for use when I come in from outside. I also carry a smaller bottle of the same product with me, which has quite a handy size. When that bottle is empty, can I simply unscrew the caps of the two bottles and fill disinfectant from the larger into the smaller one? My guess it that this should be fine, but I’m wondering if it affects the effectiveness in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Drsunflower1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drsunflower1/32/12711_2.png) [@Drsunflower1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drsunflower1)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/2 "2021-05-09T14:01:55Z")
AFAIK it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/3 "2021-05-09T14:59:11Z")
It’s still mostly alcohol, right? I’ve actually been using isopropyl alcohol as my “walking around” disinfectant, and i am using a little bottle I’ve had for decades, originally sold for making contact lens solution, i think, and just refilling it as needed. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/4 "2021-05-09T15:22:37Z")
I can’t see how it wouldn’t be OK. But then I’m not any kind of scientist. I always have hand sanitizer with me. Nothing clinical, just GermX or Purell. I have a bottle in a pocket of every coat/jacket that I regularly wear, so I don’t have to remember to take sanitizer with me. I have a really small bottle that fits in a jeans pocket if I’m not wearing anything I top them off from giant quart bottles of GermX, which have been easily available in this region for ages now. I can’t see why transferring the stuff from one bottle to another would render it less effective. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/5 "2021-05-09T15:58:17Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > But then I’m not any kind of scientist. But you have access to the internet, so your opinion is as good as anyone else’s! ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/6 "2021-05-09T16:47:15Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > But you have access to the internet, so your opinion is as good as anyone else’s! That’s kind of uncalled for. I’m a reasonably intelligent person. I don’t see how hand sanitizer, which is not marketed as especially sterile, is not advertised as “sterile until opened,” like Band-Aids, and _comes in large bottles quite specifically designed for refilling smaller bottles_, would be affected by being transferred from one bottle to another. Do I need a graduate degree in chemistry or pharmacology to say that? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/7 "2021-05-09T17:34:43Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > That’s kind of uncalled for. My apologies, this was not directed specifically at you or intended as a comment on you or post. It was just a random generalized joke about your disclaimer, that most people on the internet don’t bother with such a cautionary caveat or indeed pay much attention to the sources for the stuff they read. If I’d thought it could have been read as insulting I would have reworded it for clarity. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/8 "2021-05-09T17:47:26Z")
I certainly hope so. I have a bunch of pump disinfectant bottles scattered throughout the shop in strategic locations. When they get low, I refill them from big bottles that I buy, much cheaper than replacing the pump dispenser. I can’t think of any reason why this would have a negative effect. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/9 "2021-05-09T17:52:13Z")
It’s like soap, it’s self-cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/10 "2021-05-09T19:14:53Z")
Once, long ago, a nurse told me to NOT do this because the old sanitizer could have a layer of resistant bacteria on the surface which could become trapped by a new layer, then spread on your hands and on surfaces. Sanitizer bottles should never be topped off and shouldn’t be refilled, but can if they are emptied completely and allowed to dry before being refilled. I am over 60 years old and have only been told this once, so there it is. Just because I hear advice, doesn’t mean I follow it, btw. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/11 "2021-05-09T19:19:01Z")
Should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/12 "2021-05-09T19:19:34Z")
For what it’s worth the CDC site does mention not topping off soap dispensers, but that disinfectant hasn’t been studied. > [@](#): > > Refilling or “topping off” containers of liquid soap has been associated with outbreaks of pathogenic bacteria. The 2002 Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings recommends that soap should not be added to partially empty soap dispensers. > **[Healthcare Providers | Hand Hygiene | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/providers/index.html)** > > Courses and guidelines on hand hygiene. ETA: I should clarify that it does _mention_ it, it just says that it hasn’t been studied. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/13 "2021-05-10T03:28:39Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > I have a really small bottle that fits in a jeans pocket if I’m not wearing anything So if you’re not wearing anything, do you just sling the jeans over your shoulder? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/14 "2021-05-10T05:11:22Z")
I can see this as being an issue for sanitizers that have antibiotics in them, but it’s hard for a pathogen to gain resistance to 70% alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/15 "2021-05-10T05:37:31Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > For what it’s worth the CDC site does mention not topping off soap dispensers, but that disinfectant hasn’t been studied. > > > [@](#): > > > > Refilling or “topping off” containers of liquid soap has been associated with outbreaks of pathogenic bacteria. The 2002 Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings recommends that soap should not be added to partially empty soap dispensers. If this is taken literally, it means that anyone who buys liquid soap in large refill containers is inviting pathogenic bacterial outbreaks – and that’s probably just about everyone who regularly uses liquid soap. This may have some applicability to hospitals and other health care settings as they say, where both ordinary and antibiotic resistant bacteria are abundant, but I’m going to ignore it for home use. I’m certainly not going to be buying the small pump bottles all the time and considering them to be one-time use only. I’ve been refilling liquid soap bottles for decades, and I’ve never caused a plague AFAIK. As for hand sanitizer, the only issue I’ve found is that some of them are fairly thick and may have to be pumped in or forced in to small bottles with a squeeze bottle nozzle. Purell is only medium-thick and can be transferred from a regular pump bottle to a pocket-sized Purell bottle with a bit of care, using the pump nozzle. I’ve done this several times now. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/16 "2021-05-10T05:47:32Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve been refilling liquid soap bottles for decades, and I’ve never caused a plague AFAIK. Do you still run that bat & pangolin sanctuary in your back yard? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/17 "2021-05-10T05:58:05Z")
Well, I do have my exotic hobbies, so perhaps I should be more specific: I don’t think my liquid soap practices have ever caused a plague. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/18 "2021-05-10T13:49:36Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > This may have some applicability to hospitals and other health care settings as they say, where both ordinary and antibiotic resistant bacteria are abundant, but I’m going to ignore it for home use. Yeah, I don’t think it applies at home. Even the guidance they reference is for “Healthcare Settings”. I was just trying to dig up the information that was mentioned up-thread about how refilling soap containers has been found to be problematic in the past. Either way, I agree with the consensus here that refilling your personal disinfectant containers is perfectly fine. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/19 "2021-05-10T14:19:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve been refilling liquid soap bottles for decades, and I’ve never caused a plague AFAIK. Well, we don’t know exactly where COVID came from yet, so… _stares suspiciously at @wolfpup_ ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/20 "2021-05-10T16:55:44Z")
I would think adding refilling with the same product would generally be fine. Mixing different products could have issues since their base ingredients may be different and could cause strange interactions. For example, maybe the base gels are fine alone, but when mixed they congeal and become thick and sticky. To be safest, I would think it would be best to wash the bottle out and let it dry completely before adding new sanitizer. That would prevent any old sanitizer being left behind or any issue with the old sanitizer not mixing with new sanitizer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697.md?page=2)