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Protip: cheap vodka works well. Protip #2: it comes in minibar-sized bottles. Provided you don't live in a strangely puritan nation (I won't point fingers),

Protip: cheap vodka works well. Protip #2: it comes in minibar-sized bottles. Provided you don't live in a strangely puritan nation (I won't point fingers), this basically has no downsides.

cycrutchfield 7y ago
Vodka is 40% alcohol, which is not a high enough concentration to be effective.
- omginternets 7y ago
  Correction (you're right, of course, if you live in a country that thinks vodka must always be 40%): Everclear is effective. It also comes in minibar sized bottles. 95% isopropyl alcohol is even cheaper, and puritan-compatible. ;)
- maeln 7y ago
  Its not 40% everywhere, I saw vodka much higher than that, especially the further east you go in eastern europe. Although I doubt even the strongest one will do the job.
- whatshisface 7y ago
  You can find some very strong vodkas out there, 180 proof in the US corresponds to 90% alcohol.
dgemm 7y ago
I see this being repeated in a few places, but usually at least 70% alcohol is recommended to be effective.
- frabert 7y ago
  I have no sources for this, but I've heard that actually 70% is the optimal concentration, and that above that the alcohol is less effective. Something to do with not having enough water content to dissolve stuff, or something.
  - petre 7y ago
    It evaporates too fast. It's a problem I always have with isopropyl alcohol, you've got to move fast.
  - slavik81 7y ago
    A thread on that subject, "ELI5: How is that Alcohol 70% is better than Alcohol 90% as disinfectant?": https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/erfec8/eli5_how_is_that_alcohol_70_is_better_than/ https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/erfec8/e...
dsfyu404ed 7y ago
Your local hardware store has plenty of chemicals that will neutralize most viruses an are less expensive and more socially acceptable to smell of during the workday than vodka. Pretty much anything that cuts grease should do the trick for this particular virus. Brake cleaner is my personal favorite.
- westmeal 7y ago
  Seconding brake cleaner it annihilates anything you spray it at. What a godly substance.
- mrguyorama 7y ago
  Isn't brake cleaner not exactly meant for skin contact?

Protip: cheap vodka works well. Protip #2: it comes in minibar-sized bottles. Provided you don't live in a strangely puritan nation (I won't point fingers), this basically has no downsides.

cycrutchfield 7y ago

Vodka is 40% alcohol, which is not a high enough concentration to be effective.

omginternets 7y ago
Correction (you're right, of course, if you live in a country that thinks vodka must always be 40%): Everclear is effective. It also comes in minibar sized bottles. 95% isopropyl alcohol is even cheaper, and puritan-compatible. ;)
maeln 7y ago
Its not 40% everywhere, I saw vodka much higher than that, especially the further east you go in eastern europe. Although I doubt even the strongest one will do the job.
whatshisface 7y ago
You can find some very strong vodkas out there, 180 proof in the US corresponds to 90% alcohol.

dgemm 7y ago

I see this being repeated in a few places, but usually at least 70% alcohol is recommended to be effective.

frabert 7y ago
I have no sources for this, but I've heard that actually 70% is the optimal concentration, and that above that the alcohol is less effective. Something to do with not having enough water content to dissolve stuff, or something.
- petre 7y ago
  It evaporates too fast. It's a problem I always have with isopropyl alcohol, you've got to move fast.
- slavik81 7y ago
  A thread on that subject, "ELI5: How is that Alcohol 70% is better than Alcohol 90% as disinfectant?": https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/erfec8/eli5_how_is_that_alcohol_70_is_better_than/ https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/erfec8/e...

dsfyu404ed 7y ago

Your local hardware store has plenty of chemicals that will neutralize most viruses an are less expensive and more socially acceptable to smell of during the workday than vodka. Pretty much anything that cuts grease should do the trick for this particular virus. Brake cleaner is my personal favorite.

westmeal 7y ago
Seconding brake cleaner it annihilates anything you spray it at. What a godly substance.
mrguyorama 7y ago
Isn't brake cleaner not exactly meant for skin contact?