As public concerns over the coronavirus outbreak continue to escalate, shortages of essential goods have become commonplace. For local service and hospitality-focused businesses, the lack of everyday items – such as soap, hand sanitizer and paper products – can be devastating.

But the owners Durham Distillery have recently taken steps to help out their fellow business owners address that shortage.

The distillery recently shared the news that it’s offering other hospitality businesses an ethanol-based cleaning solution available from its distilling of Conniption gin, one of its top products. The gin is distilled with a 95 percent ethanol base, but Durham Distillery has taken it and developed a sanitizing solution of 70 percent ethanol and distilled water.

In a post on its website, the owners of the distillery, Melissa and Lee Katrincic, said the solution is meant to be a spray for after shift cleaning. The high concentration of ethanol in the spray kills microbes and the mixture naturally evaporates. The owners suggest using the solution on surfaces frequently touched, like door handles, sink faucets, bathroom surfaces and glass surfaces.

Durham Distillery has been donating the ethanol-based solution since Thursday, March 12, on an appointment basis with other business owners and staff. Those taking some of the pre-mixed solution are limited to 2 liters each and get trained upon pick up about how to safely use it. The distillery requests people bring sturdy glass vessels with seal-able closure or high-density polyethylene container that can be closed tightly, like a mayonnaise jar.

“Keeping our community and families safe is of paramount importance to us all,” reads Durham Distillery’s statement. “We will continue this program for as long as we can. This is a time where we know we’re stronger together.”

To learn how other businesses and groups are helping out around the community during the spread of COVID-19, click here.

Photo via Durham Distillery.

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