# Suspect dollar store hand sanitizer. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 29, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841 "2020-04-29T21:04:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/1 "2020-04-29T21:04:42Z")
Shortly after the pandemic became newsworthy, I picked up a bottle of hand sanitizer at the dollar store before the run on it occurred. It doesn’t have the stringent alcohol odor that is typically associated with hand sanitizer. The bottle says it contains alcohol, but I was wondering if it might actually be counterfeit. Does the odor come from some sort of additive? Isopropyl alcohol seems to have a much stronger odor than ethanol in my experience. Do you guys think this is the real thing? ---
**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:** [April 29, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/2 "2020-04-29T21:22:45Z")
I wouldn’t assume it’s counterfeit. Hand sanitizer has other stuff in it besides alcohol. Glycerine, to give it a gel-like consistency. And sometimes aloe vera, supposedly good for the skin. And fragrance, sometimes specifically to disguise the smell of alchohol. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/3 "2020-04-29T21:22:48Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Shortly after the pandemic became newsworthy, I picked up a bottle of hand sanitizer at the dollar store before the run on it occurred. It doesn’t have the stringent alcohol odor that is typically associated with hand sanitizer. > > The bottle says it contains alcohol, but I was wondering if it might actually be counterfeit. Does the odor come from some sort of additive? Isopropyl alcohol seems to have a much stronger odor than ethanol in my experience. > > Do you guys think this is the real thing? Remember Cuomo saying he was having prisoners produce hand sanitizer? This reply came from a manufacturer. “Hand sanitizer is regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug, and there are robust regulations around its manufacture and marketing to protect public health,” Gojo Industries said. “We assume the State of New York and the company it has identified to produce hand sanitizer in its prisons understands all of this and will do what is needed to produce safe and effective product in a way that is fully compliant with all regulations and standards.” [https://kmox.radio.com/articles/radiocom/purell-dramatically-increased-production-on-hand-sanitizer](https://kmox.radio.com/articles/radiocom/purell-dramatically-increased-production-on-hand-sanitizer) I’ve often wondered if a bottle of aspiring or tube of antibiotic from the no name brand stores are FDA approved etc. I think they’d have to be…but their quality control may not be all that great either. ---
**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:** [April 29, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/4 "2020-04-29T21:29:19Z")
Read the label. If it doesn’t cite the alcohol content – or if it’s less than 60%, the minimum amount recommended by WHO and other agencies – then it likely won’t be effective. If the label isn’t informative in that respect, I totally would not trust it. I have read about substandard and ineffective hand sanitizers out there, some of which don’t even claim antibacterial or anti-viral properties, but just label themselves as “hand sanitizer”. Again, **read the label** , don’t try to second-guess what’s in it. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/5 "2020-04-29T21:32:35Z")
Alcohol based hand sanitizers are flammable. Squirt a little of it on the ground and try to set it on fire. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/6 "2020-04-29T21:41:34Z")
Good call Kent! ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/7 "2020-04-29T21:44:06Z")
I got two bottles of off brand hand sanitizer at Kroger today. It was all they had but the first hand sanitizer I’ve seen there since this started. It has 62% ethyl alcohol according to the label but the packaging makes me think it might be from a company that has recently begun making it. The Kroger store brand I usually buy is 70% alcohol. OK, looks like the company has a website and makes other stuff. [CarrollClean Instant Hand Sanitizer](https://carrollclean.com/product/instant-hand/) Edit to add: It was 2.99 for an 8 oz. bottle. I bought two. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/8 "2020-04-29T21:59:33Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Shortly after the pandemic became newsworthy, I picked up a bottle of hand sanitizer at the dollar store before the run on it occurred. It doesn’t have the stringent alcohol odor that is typically associated with hand sanitizer. > > The bottle says it contains alcohol, but I was wondering if it might actually be counterfeit. Does the odor come from some sort of additive? Isopropyl alcohol seems to have a much stronger odor than ethanol in my experience. > > Do you guys think this is the real thing? Could you give the name of this hand sanitizer? ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/9 "2020-04-29T22:18:40Z")
OK, per Kent’s suggestion, I tried lighting 2 different brands of dollar store sanitizer. Both of them claim to contain 62% ethyl alcohol. The one that smelt of alcohol lit on fire readily, while the other did not. The non-flammable one is Hand Rx made by Blue Cross Laboratories in Santa Clarita, CA. I think I’m going to contact them. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/10 "2020-04-29T22:35:08Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > OK, per Kent’s suggestion, I tried lighting 2 different brands of dollar store sanitizer. Both of them claim to contain 62% ethyl alcohol. > > The one that smelt of alcohol lit on fire readily, while the other did not. > > The non-flammable one is Hand Rx made by Blue Cross Laboratories in Santa Clarita, CA. I think I’m going to contact them. [This examination](https://www.drugs.com/otc/112043/hand-sanitizer-hand-rx.html) says that there are 62 gm/100 mL, and [this examination](https://www.drugs.com/otc/106412/blue-cross-laboratories-hand-rx.html) says that there are 62 mL/100 mL. I’m not sure that those two figures are equal. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/11 "2020-04-29T23:33:54Z")
There’s a contact form online that also lists a phone number. [https://storebrands.com/blue-cross-laboratories](https://storebrands.com/blue-cross-laboratories) Jenny your humble TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/12 "2020-04-30T00:26:21Z")
We just tried lighting several samples of hand sanitizer on fire because BOREDOM. The one I made with isopropyl alcohol per internet instructions smelled very strongly of alcohol, but didn’t catch fire. We tried using post-quarantine made sanitizer claiming 70 percent Ethyl Alcohol and didn’t smell of alcohol. It didn’t want to catch fire. We tried pre-quarantine Purell with 70% Ethyl, and it didn’t catch either. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol pored on the ground didn’t catch either. We should probably work on our fire making skills because something seems to be lacking. However, Purell wipes with 62% Ethyl do catch very nicely. I think its time for us to do something besides set things on fire. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/13 "2020-04-30T00:37:22Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > We just tried lighting several samples of hand sanitizer on fire because BOREDOM. What are you going to light on fire next, hundred dollar bills? I can’t believe that people are destroying something so rare and sought-after. Think of all the children in third-world countries that have no hand sanitizer! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/14 "2020-04-30T00:52:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [This examination](https://www.drugs.com/otc/112043/hand-sanitizer-hand-rx.html) says that there are 62 gm/100 mL, and [this examination](https://www.drugs.com/otc/106412/blue-cross-laboratories-hand-rx.html) says that there are 62 mL/100 mL. I’m not sure that those two figures are equal. They aren’t. :eek: One ml of water weighs 1 gram, but one gram of alcohol weighs just 0.8 gram. 62 ml of alcohol works out to only 49.6 grams. That’s some pretty fancy shorting there. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/15 "2020-04-30T01:41:25Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > They aren’t. :eek: One ml of water weighs 1 gram, but one gram of alcohol weighs just 0.8 gram. > 62 ml of alcohol works out to only 49.6 grams. That’s some pretty fancy shorting there. :mad: That’s kind of interesting. It’s almost like beer where they say alcohol by volume as opposed by alcohol by weight, but I guess it’s the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/16 "2020-04-30T01:52:31Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > We just tried lighting several samples of hand sanitizer on fire because BOREDOM. The one I made with isopropyl alcohol per internet instructions smelled very strongly of alcohol, but didn’t catch fire. We tried using post-quarantine made sanitizer claiming 70 percent Ethyl Alcohol and didn’t smell of alcohol. It didn’t want to catch fire. We tried pre-quarantine Purell with 70% Ethyl, and it didn’t catch either. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol pored on the ground didn’t catch either. I poured the sanitizers into beer bottle caps and used a grill lighter which puts out a pretty good flame. This was outside in a slightly overcast sky. I could not see the flame of the one that lit but could feel the flame on my hand. It also started bubbling/boiling and was clearly on fire. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/17 "2020-04-30T02:30:45Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > They aren’t. :eek: One ml of water weighs 1 gram, but one gram of alcohol weighs just 0.8 gram . > 62 ml of alcohol works out to only 49.6 grams. That’s some pretty fancy shorting there. :mad: (See underlined) I think you mean one ml of alcohol weighs .8 g Wikipedia says: “Products with 60% to 95% alcohol **by volume** are effective antiseptics.” (Bolding, underlining mine). So the volume of alcohol is what they’re calculating from, not weight. 62ml/100ml should be good. > **[Hand sanitizer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_sanitizer)** > > Hand sanitizer (also known as hand antiseptic, hand disinfectant, hand rub, or handrub) is a liquid, gel or foam generally used to kill many viruses/bacteria/microorganisms on the hands. It can also come in the form of a cream, spray, or wipe. In most settings, hand washing with soap and water is generally preferred. Hand sanitizer is less effective at killing certain kinds of germs, such as norovirus and Clostridium difficile, and unlike hand washing, it cannot physically remov Alcohol-based h... Speaking of volume, I remember our science teacher doing this experiment for us: “If you add 50 mL of water to 50 mL of water you get 100 mL of water. Similarly, if you add 50 mL of ethanol (alcohol) to 50 mL of ethanol you get 100 mL of ethanol. But, if you mix 50 mL of water and 50 mL of ethanol you get approximately 96 mL of liquid, not 100 mL. Why?” > **[What is the Miscibility of Fluids?](https://www.thoughtco.com/miscibility-of-fluids-608180)** > > A combination of fluids results in a mixture that is different from the two parts added. This is an explanation of the miscibility of fluids. His explanation: imagine a bucket of large rocks. Then imagine a bucket of sand poured into that. What would happen? (Sand would fill the gaps between the large rocks, like smaller molecules can fit in gaps between larger ones). In the above example 50ml + 50ml doesn’t equal 100ml for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/18 "2020-04-30T02:45:21Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > I poured the sanitizers into beer bottle caps and used a grill lighter which puts out a pretty good flame. This was outside in a slightly overcast sky. I could not see the flame of the one that lit but could feel the flame on my hand. It also started bubbling/boiling and was clearly on fire. So, rubbing it on my hands then lighting it on fire was the wrong way to go, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/19 "2020-04-30T03:01:28Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > What are you going to light on fire next, hundred dollar bills? Looks at hundred dollar bill. Looks at roll of toilet paper. Puts toilet paper safely away. Gots to think about those third-world children after all. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > So, rubbing it on my hands then lighting it on fire was the wrong way to go, I guess. Thank you for doing that test. BOREDOM is a hard beast to control and there is way too much beer available here. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2020, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841/20 "2020-04-30T11:08:45Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Remember Cuomo saying he was having prisoners produce hand sanitizer? This reply came from a manufacturer. > > … > > I’ve often wondered if a bottle of aspiring or tube of antibiotic from the no name brand stores are FDA approved etc. I think they’d have to be…but their quality control may not be all that great either. For the sale of drugs in the US, there are only two possibilities\*: 1. The company is producing counterfeit products that have not been evaluated by the FDA, and the company is breaking the law. The FDA takes this stuff very seriously 2. The product in question is FDA approved. In that case, the generic will have been required to meet all the same quality and manufacturing standards that the brand name was. \*Dietary supplements follow a different set of rules [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspect-dollar-store-hand-sanitizer/852841.md?page=2)