Proper handwashing and sanitizing are extremely important nowadays. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus that can be transmitted through human contacts, such as the dreaded Covid-19.
Hand sanitizers contain active ingredients that are effective in killing bacteria and viruses. Additionally, it is easier to use for those who are always on the go.
Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, the supply of toilet paper, alcohol, face mask, and hand sanitizers are running out fast. In this article, we will teach you how to make hand sanitizer.
Your Complete Guide on How to Make Hand Sanitizer
Having an available hand sanitizer can protect those people who are doing an errand and can’t find a sink where they can wash their hands.
For those who are using hand sanitizers, make sure that it contains about 60% alcohol. Some hand sanitizers sold in the market do not contain alcohol, and it will not be effective in killing the feared viruses.
If you want to make sure that it includes the right concentration of alcohol, you can concoct your hand sanitizer. Here’s how.
How to Make a Hand Sanitizing Gel
Here are some words of advice before we start. The recipes listed here are meant for the professionals who have the needed resources and expertise to ensure proper utilization and safe creation of the solution.
Homemade hand sanitizers should only be used during an extreme situation when you can not perform appropriate handwashing or purchase a commercial hand sanitizer. Avoid using this on the skin of the kids since they are highly sensitive.
Preparing the Ingredients
Now that we are clear on that, it is time to prepare the ingredients that we need.
- Rubbing or Isopropyl Alcohol (With alcohol volume of 99%)
- Aloe Vera
- Essential oils preferably lavender or tea tree oil. You may also use lemon juice.
Instructions
#1 — Combine ¾ cup of the alcohol with the ¼ cup of the aloe vera gel in a bowl. Add about ten drops of the essential oil. Use a tool that comes with a pouring spout.
#2 — Using a spoon, mix the ingredient well until it forms a gel. You can also beat the solution using a whisk to get the desired consistency.
#3 — Once this is done, you may now pour the solution into an empty bottle. Be sure that you add a label and keep it out of reach of your kids.
How to Make a Hand Sanitizing Spray
The aloe vera mixture will be effective in eliminating the dreaded viruses. However, it will also leave your skin feeling sticky. For those who do not want the gel version, hand sanitizing spray might be the right option for you.
When making a hand sanitizing spray that contains isopropyl alcohol, remind your self that it is flammable. It is advisable to wear nitrile gloves and a face mask to remain safe. Here are the things that you should do.
Ingredients
- Spray bottle
- Distilled Water
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Glycerin or Glycerol
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Instructions
#1 – Combine 10oz of the isopropyl alcohol with about 2tsp of the glycerol. You can easily avail of glycerol online. This ingredient is necessary since it will prevent your hand from getting flaky and dry.
#2 – On the off chance that you cannot look for glycerol, you can just skip it and follow the rest of the instructions. However, do not forget to apply moisturizers on your hand after using hand sanitizers.
#3 – Add 1tbsp hydrogen peroxide and three parts of distilled water. If you do not have distilled water, you may use boiled water, but be sure to cool it first. For those who are using alcohol with lower concentrations, reduce the amount of water. Your solution should contain at least ¾ of alcohol.
Is this Safe?
With the growing threat of the Covid-19 virus, it is not unusual to encounter a recipe online that will teach you how to make hand sanitizer.
Nevertheless, you must know if it carries some risks. The methods listed above are specifically intended to use by the professionals who have the resources and expertise to make a hand sanitizing solution safely.
Improper proportion or use of the ingredients may lead to different adverse effects such as:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals through inhalations.
- May cause burns, injury, and skin irritations.
- Low efficacy rate. It will not be enough to kill the virus and bacteria or minimize the exposure of the person to the microbes.
Furthermore, homemade hand sanitizers are not recommended for kids. They are highly prone to improper usage that may cause injury.
How Do You Use It?
There are two things that you must be aware of when using hand sanitizer. First, be certain that you will rub it into your skin until the liquid dries out.
Next, if you have a dirty or greasy hand, try to wash your hand with water and soap first. Here’s how you can guarantee that the hand sanitizer will do its magic.
- Pour or spray a generous amount of sanitizer in one of your palms.
- Rub your hands together thoroughly. Be sure that all surfaces of your hand and the corners of your fingers will be covered.
- Continue doing this until the solutions dry out; this will take around 30-60 seconds. It will take at least 60 seconds for the viruses and bacteria to die when using hand sanitizer.
What Are the Types of Germs That These Hand Sanitizers Can Kill?
Based on the study, hand sanitizer that meets the right concentration of alcohol can greatly reduce the presence of microbes on our hands.
It also has the power to eradicate the pathogens and germs that cause diseases, which included the Covid-19.
Nonetheless, they still have their limitations. It will not be enough to kill bacteria such as clostridium difficile, cryptosporidium, and norovirus. Additionally, it will not be effective if you have greasy or dirty hands.
After playing, gardening, cleaning, or cooking food, it would be better to wash your hands with soap and water.
Which is More Effective: Hand Sanitizer or Hand Washing?
Both of them serve a similar purpose. Knowing the right time to wash your hand or to use sanitizer would be helpful.
It is the secret to protect yourself from the risk of contracting novel coronavirus and other illnesses such as the seasonal flu and colds.
If possible, washing your hand with soap and water should always be your priority. Hand sanitizer should only be used if soap and water are not available.
It is imperative to wash your hand after using the bathroom, after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, before eating, and after you touched any surfaces that are possibly contaminated with the virus.
To ensure that washing your hand will be highly effective, be sure that you will use clean running water. Start by wetting your hands, then turn off the water.
Scrub the soap in your hand. Rub your hands together for about 20 seconds. Make sure that all parts of your hands are cleaned, including the nails, the spaces between the fingers and the back of the hand. Once this is done, you can now rinse your hand in the running water.
Effective Surface Disinfectants
During the early days of March, the authorities list down some of the most effective products when disinfecting the surface.
According to them, this will be enough to kill SARS-COV-2. At a closer look, coronavirus comes with a protective layer that is considerably weaker than the other virus.
Therefore, it will be easy to kill them if you use the right cleaning product. The disinfectant should contain sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium, and hydrogen peroxide.
Before you use any product that contains these active ingredients, be sure to read the instruction carefully.
Pay attention to the contact time, or the amount of time that the surface should remain wet after the application of the cleaning solution.
Wear gloves when cleaning the surface. Never use this directly on your skin; these are meant to clean the surface and not sanitize your hand.
Ingredients That You Shouldn’t Use on Your Hand Sanitizer.
You may find several recipes of hand sanitizers online. However, not all of them will be effective. Here are some of the ingredients that you will probably encounter online, but you shouldn’t use them on your hand sanitizer.
Vodka
this contains only 40% alcohol. According to WHO, the sanitizers must contain at least 60% alcohol volume.
Bleach
This can be a potent surface disinfectant but not good for hand sanitizer. Follow the instruction on the label since it can irritate or burn your skin.
Vinegar
DIY video online will tell you that vinegar is an effective cleaning solution. Study shows that household items are less effective compared to commercial products.
Silver
Silver has a strong antimicrobial property, and it is not harmful against humans. Sadly, some bacteria can develop resistance against silver. Therefore, you must avoid using them on your hand sanitizer.
Conclusion
Nowadays, when we are fighting against an invisible enemy like the Covid-19, you must practice proper hygiene and avoid being sick.
Hand washing is still the most effective way to kill the germs that cause bacteria. However, if there are instances when handwashing is not available, using hand sanitizer would be a good alternative.
When learning how to make hand sanitizer, be sure that you have the guidance of the professional to guarantee that you will be safe.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
