I used an interesting product at an Exxon station: soap that requires no water and no towel

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A few days ago I was getting gasoline at an Exxon station, one recentlt built. I noticed that on the pillar next to the gas pump I was using they had affixed a soap dispenser for those who want to clean their hands. I walked to the soap dispenser. It had a label that said something like "Cleaning Gel. No Water necessary" (This is not the exact words). I was surprised that a soap would say no water needed. I squirted some of this product on my hand; it had that cold feeling that rubing alcofol has. I washed my hands with the soap and, indeed, I did not need water. In fact, I didn't really need a towel either. It seemed like the product cleaned my hands and then dried up fairly quickly without leaving a noticeable residue. I'm sure you would need a towelif you had serious dirt on your hands, but at least this product doesn't require water. I'mthinking this would be a good thing to have in the garage or while travelling, but how can I get some?

What do y'all think of this?

Is this stuff out on the market? Under what name?

Does anyone out there have a connection to Exxon gas stations that you could pursue this information with?

-- Rick (rick7@postmark.net), July 24, 1999

Answers

Hi Rick

This is a fairly new product out in the last year or two. We use it and many people make it now - Purell, Avon, etc. etc. It can be purchased at any drug or grocery store or from Avon. It's not cheap but it kills bacteria very well and if we are short of water will be a godsend. It is definitely part of our preparation plans to have many bottles of this on hand, especially as we have been using it regularly anyway. Very glad to hear they are now providing it in public washrooms! Good Luck.

-- citygirl (citygirl@idirect.com), July 24, 1999.


Citygirl,

Thanks for the response. In case I look for it at a drug store can you tell me what product name I should ask for?

-- Rick (rick7@postmark.net), July 24, 1999.


The only one I can think of offhand is "Purell". They are located near the liquid hand soaps. If you know an Avon lady, this is also a means of buying the stuff. It is almost always called cleansing gel or something like that. Good luck.

-- citygirl (citygirl@idirect.com), July 24, 1999.

Rick-- I think it's referred to as hand sanitizer. I've seen Purell, and I've seen a few other brands out there, too. But even if you describe it as 'waterless soap' stores that carry it should know what it is your looking for. I've seen it in most larger grocery stores, Sam's has a 'lubricare' brand and maybe even the purell, too. I'm sure there are tons of other companies/brands out there. Since I haven't used a lot of it, I can't give any real recommendation on one versus another.

I've seen it used in travel bus toilets and now even some porta potties have it in dispensers, which is kinda nice.

-- winter wondering (winterwondering@yahoo.com), July 24, 1999.


There's another product, made by Castrol, which is similar to what you're discussing. It's called "Super Clean", and comes in a purple plastic squeeze bottle. It's made for heavy cleaning, great for auto repair chores. I think it works great (and keep some in my trunk) - squirt on a little dollup, rub it around, and it dries up/absorbs everything and then brushes off.

-- Jerome (jallison@netdoor.com), July 24, 1999.


I have bought some. It is relatively expensive. You can also buy regular alochol and wipe your fingers using alcohol and cotton.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWAyne@aol.com), July 24, 1999.

If there's no water, and no residue, where does the dirt go?

How does this stuff cope with really dirty hands?

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), July 24, 1999.


The hand sanitizers kill germs but for really dirty jobs you need more. I work in the front end of a supermarket where each cashier has a bottle nearby to quickly clean up hands after coming in contact with meat juices, blood, etc. I pack groceries and bring in carts, so I also use the sanitizers, but find I must wash my hands in the sink to really get the dirt off.

There are many brands on the market, most quite expensive - but I'm sure the price will come down with more demand. I believe the main ingredient is alcohol.

-- Arlene (araynor@concentric.net), July 25, 1999.


Rick,

there's a product available called "Anti-Bacterial Waterless Hand Cleaner" that not only kills germs but cleans AND moisturizes without water. i've tried purell et al, and they all dry my hands out miserably. This does not! I've ordered 6 cases of this stuff for next year!

go to: www.enviro-tech.com to learn more about it. If you'd like to get some, they'll require a distributor pin number, use #123390.

Hope this helps!

-- Dina McCullough (DinaLM11@aol.com), July 26, 1999.


Last spring they had 'Lubricare Hand Sanitizer' at Sams Club for under three dollars a gallon!!

That is the best price I have ever seen it selling for.

I'm sorry to say I'm not sure if they still carry it.

-- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), July 26, 1999.



Hey Rick, Yeah, I think the stuff is wonderful too. We use it at work alot when we don't have a chance to put gloves on between patients. It kills germs and all very nicely. Alcohol is the main ingredient so you might could go with that cheaper. I just picked up some at sam's for 6.97 pretty expensive but water could be really tight and a little of this stuff goes a long way. I use it now for the kids to "wash up" before dinner. I use one called germ-X though.

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), July 30, 1999.

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