Travelling During the Coronavirus Outbreak? Here’s How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
Coronaviruses such as COVID-19 spread by human touch, and properly cleaning your hands is one of the most effective ways to avoid the spread of germs and diseases, and to make sure you’re not getting sick. Hand sanitizer is effective in destroying bacteria and viruses, so it’s easier to use when you are out and about. While the demand for disinfecting gels has shot through the roof due to the coronavirus, find out how you can make some by yourself with things that you might already have at home.
Coronavirus Hygiene Tips – How to make your own hand sanitizer
In this article
- What you need to know about DIY sanitizers
- The Gel recipe
- The spray recipe
What You Need to Know About DIY Sanitizers
Be sure to thoroughly sanitize the equipment you use for mixing; otherwise you might contaminate the entire thing. The World Health Organization (WHO) also suggests that you let the concoction sit for at least 72 hours after making it so that the sanitizer has time to destroy any bacteria that could have been added during the process of mixing.
Important: Hand sanitizer is not an alternative to washing your hands. Hand sanitizer should be used when you’re out and don’t have access to soap and water. Remember, nothing beats washing your hands.
In order to be safe, your sanitizer mix must be at least 60% alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But it’s better to aim for a minimum of 75%. The easiest thing to use is a bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol. If you are not able to buy Isopropyl, you can also use Vodka, Gin or White Rum as an alternative to alcohol. Clear alcohol is generally better as it won’t contain the sugars found in most dark alcohol types.
The Gel Recipe
For this recipe, you will need the following:
- Isopropyl alcohol or another alcohol type
- Aloe vera gel
- Tea tree oil
Mix the alcohol in 3 parts to 1 part aloe vera gel. To give it a good fragrance and align your chakras, add a few drops of tea-tree oil.
The Spray Recipe
For this recipe, you will need the following:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Glycerol or glycerin
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Distilled water
- Spray bottle
Mix together 12 fluid ounces of alcohol and 2 teaspoons of glycerol. Glycerol is an important ingredient because it keeps your hands from drying out from the alcohol. If you can’t find glycerol, go ahead with the rest of the recipe and just remember to moisturize your hands after the sanitizer is applied.
Add in 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, then 3 distilled or boiled (and cooled) fluid ounces of water. (If you’re using a lower alcohol concentration solution, use even less water)
Note: The alcohol must be at least 3⁄4 of your final mixture.
Finally, pour the solution into spray bottles and you’re good to go!
Stay safe people! We have some tough times ahead and need to be sensible to get our community and country through this.
