If you‘ve ever tried to stock up on rubbing alcohol only to find empty shelves at your local stores, you‘re not alone. Rubbing alcohol is one of those staple household goods that often flies under the radar – until suddenly everyone needs it at once!
With flu season ramping up and concerns over germs from COVID-19 still lingering, demand for rubbing alcohol as a disinfecting agent tends to spike as consumers rush to equip their homes. But a bottle of rubbing alcohol can be hard to spot when stores sell out.
As an avid bargain hunter and germaphobe myself, I‘ve learned all the tips and tricks for locating rubbing alcohol when you need it most. So let me help explain exactly what rubbing alcohol is used for, where to find it at major retail chains like Walmart and grocery stores, and how to spot the best deals.
What Is Rubbing Alcohol Used For?
Before we dive into where to buy it, let‘s cover the basics of what rubbing alcohol is and its many household uses.
Rubbing alcohol refers to either isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol mixed with water. The term "rubbing" comes from its traditional use as an antiseptic for hands and skin. These days, we rely on rubbing alcohol for so much more!
Rubbing alcohol is a true jack-of-all-trades around the home. Here are some of its most popular uses:
-
Disinfecting surfaces – Rubbing alcohol makes a superb disinfectant for countertops, tables, doorknobs, sinks, and other surfaces prone to germs. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact.
-
Cleaning wounds – Because of its antiseptic properties, rubbing alcohol can clean and disinfect minor scrapes, cuts, blisters, and other wounds to prevent infection. It stings, but it works!
-
Removing stains – Rubbing alcohol can lift stubborn stains like ink, makeup, permanent marker, and grease from surfaces and fabrics. It‘s a miracle worker on carpets!
-
Prepping skin before injections – Doctors and nurses often use rubbing alcohol pads to sterilize the skin prior to administering shots or drawing blood.
-
Removing adhesive residue – Rubbing alcohol dissolves the sticky residue left behind by bandages, stickers, and duct tape. It saves you from scratching for hours!
Of course along with its many benefits, there are some important safety precautions to keep in mind when using rubbing alcohol:
- Never ingest it – rubbing alcohol is toxic if consumed
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
- Use in a well-ventilated area – the fumes are potent
- Keep away from open flames – it‘s highly flammable!
Now that you know why rubbing alcohol can be such a lifesaver around the house, let‘s talk about how to find it in stores when those panicked flu season shortages hit!
Checking Walmart for Rubbing Alcohol
As a bargain shopper, Walmart is often my first stop when stocking up on household essentials like rubbing alcohol. With over 4,700 stores nationwide, Walmart is bound to have what you need – if you know where to look.
Here are the key sections to find rubbing alcohol at any Walmart:
The Pharmacy Section
Be sure to check the pharmacy section first – this is the most obvious location, but bottles fly off the shelves here when demand spikes. Look for store brands like Equate in the first aid aisle near the cotton balls, gauze, thermometers, and other medical supplies.
The pharmacy section stocks higher concentrations like 91% too, which is ideal for disinfecting. You may even find 99% isopropyl alcohol hidden behind the pharmacy counter, so don‘t be shy to ask!
The Health and Beauty Aisle
Don‘t forget to browse the health and beauty aisle containing personal care, oral hygiene, soaps, feminine products, and supplements. Rubbing alcohol often sits among hydrogen peroxide, epsom salts, and other home health remedies.
Concentrations here tend to be lower – typically 70% rather than 91%. But 70% alcohol is still effective for all-purpose cleaning and disinfecting in a pinch!
By the Cleaning Supplies
Sometimes Walmart stocks rubbing alcohol among the regular cleaning concentrates like laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, disinfectant sprays and soaps. It makes sense when you think about it!
Be sure to check end caps and seasonal displays in the cleaning aisle too. I once found mini 2 oz rubbing alcohol bottles in a "flu season preparation" special buy display – score!
Can‘t Find Any? Use the Walmart App
When you‘ve scoured every inch of the store to no avail, the Walmart app can help locate exactly where rubbing alcohol is in stock. Download the app, search for your item, then select your store.
The app shows real-time inventory down to the exact aisle number – so helpful when wandering a supersized Walmart! This trick can save you so much time hunting.
What Types of Rubbing Alcohol Does Walmart Sell?
Once you‘ve tracked down the elusive rubbing alcohol at Walmart, which of the various types and sizes should you buy? Here‘s a quick guide to the most common options:
-
Equate 70% Isopropyl Alcohol – This is the classic go-to for all-purpose disinfecting and cleaning. The 32 oz or 1 gallon sizes offer the best value for stocking up.
-
Equate 91% Isopropyl Alcohol – The higher alcohol concentration provides better germ-killing power for serious disinfecting. It often comes in 32 oz bottles.
-
Equate 99% Isopropyl Alcohol – Highest strength available – but tougher to find. Check at the pharmacy counter for 16 oz bottles.
-
Alcohol Prep Pads – Convenient alcohol wipes for on-the-go sanitizing. Choose individual packs or tubs of 200+.
-
Alcohol Swabs – Alcohol soaked cotton swabs perfect for disinfecting small wounds or prepping skin before shots.
I like to buy a few 32 oz Equate 70% bottles for general use, then grab a pack of alcohol wipes to stash in my purse and car for peace of mind. When flu season starts spreading in the office, the 91% concentration comes in handy for keeping my desk area germ-free!
Where Else Can You Buy Rubbing Alcohol?
While Walmart tends to offer the best prices on staples like rubbing alcohol, it never hurts to comparison shop at other major retailers. Here are some other stores that reliably stock isopropyl alcohol:
-
CVS – Check the pharmacy and first aid sections. Higher concentrations sometimes behind the counter.
-
Walgreens – Various sizes of its house Well at Walgreens brand. Often in the pharmacy department.
-
Rite Aid – Look for Rite Aid branded rubbing alcohol. Bonus rewards for members.
-
Target – Compare Up & Up brand to Walmart‘s Equate version – very similar.
-
Costco – Find bulk 2-pack gallons of Kirkland brand for the best deal. For members only.
-
Meijer – Check pharmacy and beauty departments for Meijer branded bottles.
-
Kroger – House brands like Kroger and Private Selection. Usually 50% – 91% concentrations offered.
I‘ve spotted the best deals at odd times – like snagging CVS 12-packs of mini 2 oz bottles for $2.50 each during Christmas clearance sales. Never hurts to keep an eye out when shopping the weekly ads!
Pro Tip: Call ahead to confirm rubbing alcohol inventory so you don‘t waste trips to sold out stores. Pharmacies have been known to hide stock behind the counter too when supplies run low.
Shopping for Rubbing Alcohol Online
When making a trip to the stores just isn‘t in the cards, shop major retailers online for fast shipping direct to your door:
-
Amazon – Wide alcohol selection, but compare bottle sizes and pricing closely. Prime members get free 1-2 day shipping.
-
Walmart.com – Pick up Equate brand alcohols for in-store pickup or delivery in 2 days. Even faster shipping with a Walmart+ membership.
-
CVS.com – Order online for delivery in 1-2 days or in-store pickup same day at many locations.
-
Target.com – RedCard holders get free standard shipping. Or use Shipt for delivery in as little as 1 hour!
-
Staples.com – Convenient for supplying businesses. Bulk discounts and free next-day delivery on $50+ orders.
The bonus of shopping online? Not having to leave the house at the peak of flu season – you can stay snuggled up indoors away from all those germy shoppers!
How Do Prices Compare for the Best Deals?
As a bargain hunting mom, getting the most bang for my buck is a top priority – even on staples like rubbing alcohol! Here are some tips for spotting the best deals:
-
Check weekly store ads for sales, coupons, and gift card promotions to lower costs. Saving $1 here and there adds up!
-
Buy the store brand rather than names like Purell whenever possible – you‘ll usually save 20-40%.
-
Shop in bulk for bigger savings – large bottles are drastically cheaper per ounce than small ones.
-
Price match between stores using ads or apps to guarantee the lowest price. Many retailers offer this, including Walmart and Target.
-
Compare shelf price vs. online price. Sometimes regular in-store prices are cheaper, while other times online has better deals, especially when you factor in coupons.
-
Don‘t forget to use rewards programs – earn points and redeem perks for bigger discounts at pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.
Here‘s a pricing comparison on 32 oz bottles of 70% isopropyl alcohol at popular stores:
| Store | Shelf Price | Sale Price | Rewards Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $3.98 | – | – |
| CVS | $5.29 | $4.29 | ExtraBucks 20% off |
| Walgreens | $5.99 | $3.99 | 3,000 Points |
| Target | $3.69 | – | 1% Target Circle earnings |
As you can see, Walmart and Target tend to offer the best baseline prices, while you can use pharmacy rewards programs to snag great deals at CVS and Walgreens too.
What Are Some Good Rubbing Alcohol Substitutes?
When rubbing alcohol is out of stock everywhere you turn, you can turn to some household staples in a pinch:
Vodka
Since many vodkas are 40% alcohol, it‘s a decent stand-in for 50-70% isopropyl alcohol. The lower alcohol content makes it less effective for true disinfecting. But it works fine for gentle cleaning!
Hand Sanitizer
Look for sanitizers containing 60%+ ethyl alcohol, close to rubbing alcohol. The gel texture can make sanitizer messy for household use. But it‘s a good alternative for hands!
Hydrogen Peroxide
The antiseptic powers of 3% hydrogen peroxide make it a good substitute for disinfecting wounds, but not ideal for household cleaning. Don‘t use it too frequently as it can damage surfaces.
White Vinegar
While not as strong a disinfectant as alcohol, vinegar‘s antimicrobial properties make it a solid stand-in for safer household cleaning of windows, floors, and other surfaces.
Soap and Water
Sometimes simple is best! Hot water, soap, and some scrubbing elbow grease can effectively clean many household surfaces. It‘s the most economical and eco-friendly approach too.
While nothing does the job quite as well as true rubbing alcohol, these common household staples can carry you through in a pinch. But substitutions aren‘t my first choice when trying to thoroughly disinfect areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
When restocking your supply, it‘s always smart to buy extra bottles before flu season starts so you have reserves just in case. Check expiration dates too – unopened bottles keep 1-3 years. A fresh supply each cold and flu season gives me peace of mind!
Final Thoughts on Locating This Helpful Household Item
As you can see, rubbing alcohol is a versatile problem-solver for your home – but finding it stocked in stores can prove tricky when demand is high.
Hopefully these tips for locating affordable rubbing alcohol at major retailers give you a game plan for your next supply run. Just remember the key spots to check at Walmart and grocery stores, and keep an eye out for the best deals by price comparing and utilizing rewards programs.
And if your local stores are still sold out? Shop conveniently online for delivery right to your door. Home delivery removes the stress of searching empty aisles and dodging germy shoppers during flu season too!
With this guide‘s advice, you‘ll be prepared to keep your household stocked with this must-have disinfecting staple. Those flu germs and sticky spills don‘t stand a chance! Stay healthy and happy cleaning.
