With Coronavirus (COVID-19) gripping our country and the world, certain supplies have become almost impossible to source. One of those such items is hand sanitiser. You can make your own hand sanitser at home with just a few simple ingredients that can be sourced locally or online.
I’ve included 2 different recipes for you to try. The first makes a gel-like substance and the second is a liquid spray.
Washing our hands with soap and water is still the best defence against germs. It is important that we do not rely on the use of hand sanitisers alone. We need to be thoroughly and consistently washing our hands in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading and/or contracting the Coronavirus.
Whilst handwashing with soap and water is still the best course of action, this option is not always available to us. This is when hand sanitisers can play their part. Due to their portable nature, we are able to use them as an alternative to hand washing when soap and water are not available.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand sanitisers can reduce the number of germs but do not eliminate all types of germs. The effectiveness of hand sanitisers can also be reduced if your hands are dirty or greasy from things like food or activities such as gardening or playing sport.
It is vital that we keep our hands as clean as possible to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
How to make your own hand sanitiser
Before you begin it is important to thoroughly clean and sanitise the work surface and all equipment you plan to use during the mixing process. Next, wash your hands with soap and water.
What you will need
- Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (99%)
- Pure Aleo Vera Gel
- Essential Oil – Tea Tree, Lavender or Lemon Juice.
- A bottle to store the mixture.
- A label for the bottle.
About Isopropyl Alcohol
Your final mixture will need to contain at least 60% Isopropyl Alcohol to be effective in killing germs. Be aware that if you use a product such as Isocol that it contains only 64% Isopropyl Alcohol. Mixing this product will further dilute it and it may not be effective. You must use a product that contains 99% Isopropyl Alcohol when making the hand sanitiser. Your final product needs to be ¾ alcohol to be effective.
OfficeWorks and Bunnings sell a Diggers brand Isopropyl Alcohol spray that according to the product PDF contains 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. This product was available at the time of writing but that may no longer be the case.
Recipe 1: Gel Hand Sanitiser
- ¾ cup of Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (99%)
- ¼ cup of Pure Aloe Vera gel
- 2-3 drops of essential oil such as tea tree or lavender oil or lemon juice
Pour all the ingredients into a glass mixing jug or bowl.
Mix with a spoon to combine and then whisk to form a gel-like substance.
Pour the mixture into an empty clean bottle for easy use.
Label the bottle ‘Hand Sanitiser”.
Let the mix sit for a least 3 days before using to kill off any bacteria that may have been introduced during the mixing process.
Essential oils such as Thyme and Clove oil have some antimicrobial properties so these are also worth considering in place of Lavender or Tea Tree oils.
Recipe 2: Liquid Spray Sanitiser
This mixture will make a liquid spray, not a gel. You can place it in an empty clean spray bottle and use on your hands or to clean door handles, taps and other items in the home or office.
- 355ml Isopropyl Alcohol
- 2 Teaspoons Glycerol or Glycerin
- 1 Tablespoon Hydrogen Peroxide
- 30 ml of Boiled cooled water
- Spray bottle
Mix the Isopropyl Alcohol with 2 teaspoons of Glycerol.
Then mix in 1 tablespoon of Hydrogen Peroxide.
Add the water to the mix and combine well.
Place the mixture into an empty and clean spray bottle.
Label the bottle ‘Hand Sanitiser’.
Let the mix sit for a least 3 days before using to kill off any bacteria that may have been introduced during the mixing process.
NOTE: It is better to use Glycerol in this mix as using Aleo Vera Gel will make the mixture sticky.
Adding Glycerol, Glycerin or Aleo to your hand sanitsers will help to prevent your skin from drying out from the alcohol.
How to use hand sanitiser
- Apply the mixture to the palm of one hand.
- Rub hands together for at least 60 seconds. Make sure to cover the entire surface of both hands and in between fingers.
- Allow hands to dry completely.
- It can take 1 minute or longer for the hand sanitiser to begin killing germs.
Handy Tip
Products like Isocol can be used undiluted to clean your mobile phone and case. Simply add some liquid to a lint-free cloth and wipe over your phone. Remove the case and dip a cotton bud into the liquid to properly clean all the phone buttons and hard to reach places of your phone case.
Is it safe?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that swallowing hand sanitisers can cause alcohol poisoning. Keep hand sanitser out of reach of children. Always supervise children when using hand sanitisers.
Use caution when using a homemade product especially on children, those with sensitive skin and on people who are prone to allergies and/or skin irritation. I would recommend you patch test your hand sanitiser before applying.
As with any homemade product, it has not been tested in a laboratory or made by professionals. If not done properly homemade products can cause skin irritation or other adverse effects.
Disclaimer
This product has not been tested in a laboratory and can not be guaranteed to kill any or all germs. It has not been tested to prove its effectiveness in stopping the spread and/or contraction of Coronavirus (COVID – 19). It is recommended that the mixing of chemical agents only be undertaken by professionals. Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Proper and thorough handwashing with soap and water is still recommended as the best defence against the spread of germs.
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