If you're somebody who thinks they've found a hack by using Tito's Vodka for homemade hand sanitizer to protect against the coronavirus, Tito's wants you to know one very important thing, that shit doesn't work. Tito's put out a statement to correct the misinformed after social media users said they were mixing the beverage with aloe vera and essential oils as a defense against the virus. Some of those people appeared to be joking but, still, not everyone was.
For reference, stores nationwide have reported shortages of hand sanitizer as people panic over the spreading of said virus.
For those using Tito's, the company says that there's not enough alcohol in their product to do you any good outside of getting buzzed or drunk. A spokesperson for the company explained their response in a statement to The Daily Beast.
"Per the CDC, hand sanitizer needs to contain at least 60% alcohol. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is 40% alcohol, and therefore does not meet the current recommendation of the CDC," the company said.
“While it would be good for business for our fans to use massive quantities of Tito’s for hand sanitizer, it would be a shame to waste the good stuff, especially if it doesn’t sanitize (which it doesn’t, per the CDC),” it added.
Articles that spread the incorrect info have also been corrected. If you can find it, go with a far cheaper and more effective option (see: Purell), as they are reportedly working overtime to make sure you can do just that.
"We have experienced several demand surges in the past during other outbreaks — and this is on the higher end of the spectrum but not unprecedented," said a spokeswoman for Purell's parent company, Gojo. "We have added shifts and have team members working overtime – in accordance with our plans for situations like this."
