At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is unleashing its wrath on the world, no preventive measure is better than the time-tested method of handwashing, but that is if you have water and soap at hand. If there is no water or soap, hand sanitizers are the next best alternative. But with the worries of the presence of methanol in hand sanitizers or lack of stock in stores, it is better to make them yourself.
Many people may not even be aware of this, but you can easily make your hand sanitizer from the comfort of your room. The best thing about this is that you need three main ingredients. Are you ready to learn how this is done?
Ingredients Needed
All you need are three principal ingredients, and they are:
- Aloe vera gel
- Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl (this has to be 99% alcohol volume)
- Essential oil. This can be lavender oil, tea tree oil or a citrus based oil. If you cannot get an essential oil, you can make use of lemon juice.
To get an effective sanitizer, make use of the 2:1 mixing ratio of the alcohol to aloe vera gel. This will ensure that the fraction of alcohol is going to be at about 60%. This is the least ratio needed for the proper killing of most disease-causing microorganisms according to the CDC’s details.
Steps to make Your Sanitizer
Below is a formula that has been shown to produce effective sanitizers, and anyone can use it. The procedure is a blend of:
- One part aloe vera gel
- Two parts of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol (with a range of 91 to 99% alcohol)
- One or two drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, or any essential oil
For those who are making their hand sanitizers at home, they should stick to these tips as they are essential (pun intended):
- Carry out the production in a tidy area. Clean the countertops using a diluted bleach mix before you start.
- Take time to wash your hands before you proceed with this DIY.
- For your mixing, pick a neat spoon and a whisk and wash them properly before mixing.
- Ensure that the alcohol you are making use of for the sanitizer has not been diluted.
- Mix the ingredients until they become a fine blend.
- Avoid touching the mixture with your hands until you are sure everything is ready to be used.
If you are thinking of a bigger volume of sanitizers, the World Health Organization has recommended an effective formula that uses glycerol, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, boiled cold water or sterile distilled water, and hydrogen peroxide.
How effective can they be?
The CDC has announced that any sanitizer made from alcohol with the correct volume requirement can swiftly decrease the number of pathogens on your hands. They can help eliminate several disease-causing microorganisms, including the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
But that said, you need to know that even the most excellent of alcohol based sanitizers have their limits and cannot kill all kinds of pathogens. They can also not neutralize chemicals that are potentially dangerous or harmful.
