Is there anything that can be purchased at Wal-Mart and work well as a sanitizer not just a cleaner? I'm needing to bottle up my beer but homebrew store is 45mins away and id like to pick something up tonight after work.
FWIW I buy the bleach (Clorox) that I use as a sanitizer at my local Walmart. I use 1.25 ounces per 5 gallons of tap water. You need a minimum of 20 minutes of contact time. You will need to rinse with hot tap water after sanitation is complete. It seems like most folks prefer no rinse sanitizers these days (e.g., Star San). I do not think you will find this on the shelves in Walmart. Cheers!
Personally I’d make the trip. Maybe if there’s a brewery nearby that’s closer ask them for a little bit of Star San or a preferable substitute. Worth a shot.
In a pinch I will sometimes use vodka for sanitizing small things. Probably not economical for purposes of something like a fermenter though.
Depending on what you think is a "very light bleach soak" you won't be sanitizing though. Just having some bleach around doesn't cut it. The bleach has to be at the right concentration to be effective. Otherwise, you are just rinsing the bottles with chlorine smelling water. Use the 1.25 ounce to 5 gallon ratio mentioned above with the appropriate contact time.
Isopropyl alcohol can work in a pinch. Use a clean, soaked towel and then let it air dry. Not ideal for large surface areas, however.
