CORONAVIRUS fears have created a national shortage of hand sanitiser products up and down the UK – so which shops are still likely to have anti-bacterial hand gel?
Almost 170,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 globally, including 1,950 confirmed cases in the UK.
In response, Brits have started stockpiling household essentials including toilet roll, pet food, pasta, rice and nappies.
High street and supermarket shelves have also been wiped of hand sanitiser products, while some retailers are limiting the amount each customer can buy.
In February alone, it’s estimated that hand sanitiser sales were up 255 per cent, according to research company Kantar.
Other kinds of liquid soaps saw sales increase by 7 per cent, and 10 per cent more was spent on household cleaners.
The demand has seen some second-hand sellers take advantage of the low stock, such as putting hand gel which costs 50p in Lidl on eBay for £40.
However, the NHS and Public Health England say the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is simply to wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds.
If in doubt, HOAR has published a step-by-step guide on how to wash your hands effectively to stop the spread of germs.
Where can I buy hand sanitiser?
Hand sanitiser can be useful if you don’t have quick access to a sink, for example, if you’re on public transport.
We’d recommend calling your nearest shop to check availability as stock is likely to move fast.
On its website, Superdrug has hand sanitiser gel listed as available, but only for order and collect and that’s all store dependent.
This means you’ll need to visit your nearest shop to check what it has in store, or use the online stock finder by typing in your postcode.
The situation is the same for anti-bacterial soap including Carex, which sells for £1.89 and Superdrug’s own brand for 68p.
In Boots, all sanitiser gel and antibacterial products are completely sold out online, but it says that more stock coming within two weeks and to keep checking back.
It might be worth checking your local to see if they have any in store as Boots is constantly replenishing its shelves.
You can also check whether the product is in stores online – although stock does move quickly so it’s no guarantee.
For example, Cuticura orginal anti-bacterial hand gel was listed as being sold out online, but the website suggests it is in stock in a number of central London stores.
On its website, Sainsbury’s says: “Due to increased demand we have limited availability across our antibacterial ranges.
“We are working with our suppliers to secure more stock.”
It currently lists Carex antibacterial handwash as being in stock with prices starting from £1, or you can nab Palmolive’s version for 90p.
Morrisons has also sold out of popular sanitisers and anti-bacterial hand washes – but it does have Carex for £1 and an antibacterial sanitiser for children for a hefty £10.
Asda doesn’t have any sanitisers in stock on its website, but you can nab Carex handwash for 95p.
It’s worth checking with the supermarkets if they definitely have these in store, as items can be substituted when being picked for delivery.
eBay and Amazon are selling sanitisers at inflated prices, including this 50ml bottle for £5.25 with free delivery and this 120ml version for £4.96 plus £2.55 delivery.
When will there be more stock of hand sanitiser?
We’ve contacted Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons to find out when they’re expecting more stock.
Superdrug couldn’t comment on when they’re expecting more stock, but Boots told us they’re expecting more products to arrive in stores each day.
However, a number of products on Boots’ website are now listed as “sold out”, and the retailer says it is not expecting any more stock.
PZ Cussons, which makes Carex hand gel, told the BBC it was “working at full capacity in response to the exceptional demand being experienced”.
Karium, the manufacturer of Cuticura hand gel, said it is taking “immediate action to increase our production volumes”.
Should I stock up on hand sanitiser?
Most stores have put limits in place on all items – not just hand sanitiser – to stop people stockpiling hand wash products.
This is to make it fair for all their shoppers, plus to reduce the risk of items being resold at higher prices.
Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy customers can currently only buy two bottles of sanitiser each, both in store and online.
While Aldi is restricting shoppers to four items of every product thanks to stockpiling.
Can I make my own hand sanitiser?
You can – but it isn’t recommended.
Alcohol is the main active ingredient in most hand sanitisers, but this is mixed with moisturisers to soften the harshness on your skin.
Too much alcohol on your skin can damage your hands, as well as stripping it of its nature oils.
As it can be hard to get the balance between alcohol and moisturisers right, health experts say you’re better off washing your hands with soap.
We’ve rounded up your rights to sick pay if you have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.
And this is where working parents stand if their child’s school shuts because of coronavirus.
Plus, HOAR has explained how you could cancel your holiday and get a refund if you’re worried about the coronavirus.
