Update: March 23, 2020
Tito's is officially making hand sanitizer! According to Tito's, in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Texas company is gearing up to produce its own hand cleanser.
While we advise that you cannot use our vodka as a hand sanitizer, our distillery has been working hard to get all of the pieces in place to begin production on 24 tons of hand sanitizer that adheres to industry and governmental guidance. Please see attached for more information. pic.twitter.com/c5pTzVOvv1
— TitosVodka (@TitosVodka) March 22, 2020
The Tweet states:
While we advise that you cannot use our standard vodka product as a hand sanitizer, our team at the distillery has been working hard to get all of the pieces in place to begin production on a hand sanitizer that adheres to industry and governmental guidance.
Last week, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced they are authorizing production of ethanol-based hand sanitizers by permitted distillers. This good news allowed our team to continue working on this process.
Currently, we are testing our formula, procuring necessary components of supplies and packaging, and preparing for production as we wait for the additional required ingredients to be delivered to the distillery. We have the ingredients and equipment on order to make an initial 24 tons of hand sanitizer over the next several weeks, and plan to make more from there as needed.
While we don't have all of the details quite yet, we do know we will be giving it away for free to our community and those most in need. We will update you as we know more.
The handmade vodka announcement comes as the coronavirus spread throughout the nation.
Original article continues below:
I love social media. It lets me connect with people all over the world that share the same interests as me (hello new friends at r/crossstich) and gives me access to news as is happens. It gives people a way to share amazing housekeeping tips, however, it also allows people to spread not-so-good tips, like this Tito's vodka homemade hand sanitizer currently making the rounds. I hate to tell you this, but Tito's Vodka isn't going to help you fight off Coronavirus.
Why People are Making Homemade Hand Sanitizers
Read that you can use vodka if you don't have hand sanitizer, so now I'm carrying a bottle of vodka with me where ever I go. In fact, I'm just about to sanitize this glass of orange juice.
— Dan Chaon (@danchaon.bsky.social) (@Danchaon) March 5, 2020
With coronavirus fears getting stronger, people in the United States are taking to the grocery store to stock up on health care essentials such as toilet paper, tissues, medications, and hand sanitizer. In many parts of the country, stores are completely out of hand sanitizers like Purell. News outlets reported that you could make your own using vodka, specifically Tito's Handmade Vodka of Austin, Texas. However, according to the current recommendation of the CDC and Tito's, alcohol needs to be 60% alcohol to work effectively whereas Tito's vodka is only 40%.
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. Please see attached for more information. pic.twitter.com/J5ifkV3Jah
— TitosVodka (@TitosVodka) March 5, 2020
The misinformation from the news outlets caused a surge of tweets, and for the past 24-hours, the vodka brand has been responding to tweets with a statement sharing that if you make your own hand sanitizer, make sure it has over 60% alcohol.
Most homemade hand sanitizer recipes recommend isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or spirits that are at least 180 proof with aloe vera.
While using hand sanitizer is a great way to prevent germs from spreading, the best way to prevent the spread of covid-19 is using soap and water according to health officials. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds is enough to stop the spread of germs from one person to another.
So stop stockpiling toilet paper and hand sanitizer and pick up a few boxes of soap and use your liter of Tito's to make a mean Vodka Lemonade.
