COVID-19: I’m Out of Disinfectant, Now What?

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted May 25, 2020

Dear Reader, 

I hope you’ve been lucky. But maybe you’re having the same problems me and my family are having — we can’t seem to get our favorite foaming soap anywhere. 

(This causes my wife — and daughters — much distress… they love their foaming soap!) 

Not only that but shelves are thin on a lot of other items too…  

the COVID-19 pandemic created an enormous demand for disinfectant sprays, soaps, cleaners and wipes as manufacturers scramble to keep up with the increased demand.  

While some things in certain parts of the country could be making a comeback… the reality is, you might still be finding some aisles bare. 

So, what can you do if there’s nothing on the shelves?  

If your stores are anything like mine, there are no disinfectants to be found.   

Industry groups report that sales are up 250 percent (that’s the reason they have a hard time meeting demand!). And with health care facilities and industrial consumers getting it first, there is none left for us every day folks.  

Now, you’ve probably heard that overusing antibacterial soaps can cause more problems than they cure by creating bacterial resistance.  

But here’s the thing — strong disinfectants are a good thing to have around the house, especially during a pandemic. And they actually don’t cause bacterial resistance (at least not yet).  

Anytime you cut meat, or if you wash clothes that potentially have feces in them (as with young children, from animals, or the elderly), or if you are just worried about spreading germs, a disinfectant is an excellent idea.  

So, what do you do if you can’t get your hands on any?  

Let’s start with soap. Because that is one of the best ways to eliminate COVID-19 from your hands.  

COVID-19 has a lipid bilayer (meaning it has a fatty outer layer) and any bar soap or liquid soap will work to disrupt that layer and destroy the virus.  

 Just be sure to wash your hands vigorously for 20 seconds and let them dry fully. Most bacteria or viruses can’t live in a very dry area, they thrive in moisture.  

 I know it seems strange that simple soap can destroy such a harmful virus, but it works.  

Now, you may have noticed that many alcohol distillers have stepped in to make hand sanitizer for their local communities.  

You can usually still buy isopropyl alcohol or go to your liquor store and purchase the strongest alcohol you can buy. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a concentration of greater than 60 percent ethanol or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol (that means 120 to 140 proof).  

Mix those alcohols with a little aloe Vera and you have a great cleanser!  

Household bleach will also work if you still have some. Make sure it’s not color-safe or chlorine free bleach. Use 1/3 Cup per gallon (or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water).  

The thing most people don’t know about bleach is that, once you made a batch, you need to get rid of it after 24 hours because it loses its potency.   

With a lot of hand washing, and a little bit of ingenuity, you can make it through this pandemic all right.  

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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