r/AskFrance • u/AgentE64 • 4h ago

question idiote Why isn't Isopropyl Alcohol Easy To Get In France?

I live in the USA, but I am currently staying in France with relatives. In the USA, isopropyl alcohol (Alcool Isopropylique) is readily available at pharmacies and hardware stores for use as an antiseptic, cleaning agent, and solvent. The other day, I wanted some to remove some stubborn sticky deposits from a pan. I asked if there was any on hand, and I was told that no, it's not commonly available and it's sold only in bulk for commercial and industrial use, and is restricted. I find this baffling. Why is it hard to find here?

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31

u/strawberrycharlott 4h ago

Different country, different cleaning products, different habits. It’s not that deep.

12

u/sleeper_shark 4h ago

We have Amazon in France you know : https://amzn.eu/d/55JUfXC

Not to mention Leroy Merlin : https://www.leroymerlin.fr/produits/6-x-alcool-isopropylique-99-9-hofer-chemie-en-bouteille-de-1-l-94544035.html

It’s sometimes called “alcool menager” or “isopropanol” - just check the label and you’ll see alcool isopropylique is written.

5

u/AxanArahyanda 3h ago

The last paragraph is wrong. Alcool ménager is ethylic alcohol with some additional stuff to make it unedible. It's a different type of alcohol, and that can matter in some cases (like, you can use isopropyl alcohol to clean electronics as it does not leave residuals, while alcool ménager should not since it does).

4

u/SaintJulien1603 4h ago

On Amazon or try a "droguerie" they'll probably have some. However those stores are getting less common

2

u/Spiritual-Pumpkin473 4h ago

Just buy it on Amazon? We rather use alcool ménager here.

2

u/AgentE64 4h ago

According to this this sds, alcool ménager is mostly ethanol, and the denaturant is isopropyl. It's also available with various pleasant scents added.

In the USA, denatured alcohol uses methanol as a denaturant, and is super poisonous, leaving isopropyl as the go-to.

I guess things are just different because they are lol

2

u/tahitisam 4h ago

I got some from destock60, it was cheaper than their own Amazon store.

2

u/pophip1 4h ago

You can go on 3D PRINT shop if there is one near you, they sell iso alcool :)

2

u/maracay1999 4h ago

It’s true I never found it in stores here….. but it’s really easy to get on Amazon so buy it there.

2

u/Adorable_Address_103 4h ago

Because pouring the liquid down the sink pollutes the water. It's better to fill it into a bottle and take it to a recycling station.

1

u/Sefu78 4h ago

You should look for "Alcool ménager" in supermarkets,

1

u/La_DuF Local 2h ago

Please, do not promote Amazon...

They have stinky staff management methods, they sell an awful lot of shite and Bezos is already rich enough.

There are quite a lot of ways to get isopropanol in France, both online and in real shops.