Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

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SMASH3R
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Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by SMASH3R » Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:40 pm

For years I've been a big fan of using supermarket basic brand thin bleach for a wide range of basic homebrew sterilizing once items have been cleaned.


However, for the past couple of months I've not been able to buy any from Tesco, which is the largest supermarket in my town. The small to middling Sainsburys never sells it.

Has anyone else had any trouble buying this, and where do you buy it from?

Are there any similarly priced good value alternatives that I can pop to generic supermarkets to buy?

I am able to buy white oxy action, which I use for cleaning heavily soiled fermenter etc before I usually sterilize.

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by Eric » Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:47 pm

Still getting mine from Asda, although the designated shelf is regularly empty and the price has risen from 28 to 38P.
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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by SMASH3R » Tue Oct 05, 2021 10:09 pm

Thanks Eric. No Asda immediately near, so I'll plan in a close detour as I'll go near one at the weekend.

My local Tesco has not had the shelf space marked up for the cheaper stuff for months. It seems Asda will be the way forward.

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by MashBag » Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:36 am

I saw it last year in by the gallon in the local discount plastic warehouse / pound shop type place?

You could use caustic truck wash instead.

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by Eric » Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:30 pm

Tesco announced their results this morning and a major component of the financial improvement was from rationalisation of stock items. I suspect Asda might soon follow Tesco's lead in this field influenced by the present shipping problems.

Not sure if truck wash might be a solution, but have wondered about the caustic soda and sodium hypochlorite mix used as beer line cleaner. While cleaning beer engines recently, my simple single pot system collect the used cleaner and I was amazed how clean it became when emptied.
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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by johnmac » Wed Jun 28, 2023 12:04 pm

The no availability of thin bleach seems to have got worse - none in my local Tesco or Morrisons. Is it still available in Asda?

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by Eric » Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:40 pm

It wasn't last Friday, but saw some in Sainsbury's.
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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by MashBag » Thu Jun 29, 2023 8:22 am

Yup. Asda have, but only a few. At 85p is it becoming popular as a cheaper alternative?

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by Eric » Thu Jun 29, 2023 10:50 am

I used to pay 28p at Asda, not that long ago. It was £1 at Sainsbury.
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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by IPA » Fri Jun 30, 2023 8:29 am

The best and cheapest cleaner/sanitiser is available at any swimming pool supplier. It's 66% sodium hypochlorite and one teaspoon in 23 litres does the job.
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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by a-slayer » Fri Jun 30, 2023 3:58 pm

Any farm supply store will stock 20 to 25 litre drums of dairy hypochlorite , I have always used it.

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by MashBag » Sat Jul 01, 2023 8:30 pm

I still prefer caustic TFR 😁

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by johnmac » Fri Jul 21, 2023 2:54 pm

I thought about caustic traffic film remover (TFR) but I think it contains some sort of soap and therefore likely to wreck head retention.

Slayer, could you let us know exactly which dairy hypochlorite product you buy and how much we can expect to pay? The choice is a confusing! Same with pool products - hard to know exactly what to buy?

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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by a-slayer » Fri Jul 21, 2023 4:41 pm


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Re: Where is the thin bleach? and what can I use instead?

Post by LeeH » Fri Jul 21, 2023 9:42 pm

MashBag wrote:I saw it last year in by the gallon in the local discount plastic warehouse / pound shop type place?

You could use caustic truck wash instead.
Thin beach is normally used a no rinse sanitiser. Not sure TFR would be a suitable substitute.
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