Hand sanitizer is an effective way to wash your hands when you don't have access to soap and water. The following recipe lets you make your own hand sanitizer at home.
Beyond the coronavirus hand sanitizer is a must have for parents to have in the car or stroller. Frequently washing your hands cuts down on the risk of the flu and food poisoning.
Note that this recipe is based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), converted to U.S. ingredients.
Many online recipes seem to focus more on how the sanitizer smells than on its effectiveness. Authorities are recommending sanitizer with 60% alcohol content. Our recipe here should meet that recommendation.
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Yield: 4 Cups
Source: World Health Organization
Link: WHO Recommended Handrub Formulations
Supplies:
Steps:
These supplies cost us about $6 ($2 isopropyl alcohol, $1 hydrogen peroxide, glycerin $3) but the hydrogen peroxide and glycerin can be used for many batches. During an outbreak hand sanitizer refills often sell out.
We are using 70% isopropyl alcohol which is known in the U.S. as rubbing alcohol. If you are using 98% alcohol measure out 3 cups and then add a cup of distilled water to make 4 full cups of sanitizer. If you are using 91% isopropyl alcohol, measure out 3 and 1/3 cups and then add 2/3 cups of water to make 4 full cups of sanitizer.
You can also use drinking alcohol in place of the rubbing alcohol but it is difficult to get a high enough proof. The equivalent of 70% rubbing alcohol would be 140 proof vodka. See the WHO link for additional information.
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Many stores are running low on hand sanitizer, I am going to make my own now. Thank you!
I am a bit challenged when it comes to making 'home-made' stuff but this looks easy enough! Quick question for you....what do I add in (exact details please!) if I want to make it scented?
You could put a couple of drops of an essential oil. Lavender or an orange scent might counteract the alcohol smell. Keep in mind that the oil is just for a nice smell, it won't really help with killing germs.
Let us know how it turns out. Be sure to wash your hands too, as only hand sanitizer will dry them out and washing is just as effective for killing the virus.
It looks like they don't recommend it because of allergy concerns. If you and your family are regularly using this essential oil, it shouldn't cause any concern. But it probably would be best to omit it.
Another worry that I just read about is purchasing "alcohol free" sanitizer. This is not recommended and may give you a sense of false safety. Of course, washing your hands is the best way to protect you and your family from infection.
Unable to find any isopropyl alcohol anywhere around Vancouver, Wa. USA. People have bought it all up. 3/4/2020.
Ask your local stores when they restock. I was able to get some at Walgreens on 3/3/20 but the cashier was surprised that they had any. You could also try ordering it directly on Amazon. I have heard of people doing that for toilet paper
Good luck!
VIRUSES can be encapsulated by soap and water. Including those being shared currently.
minnesota.cbslocal.com/
For killing influenza and corona viruses, hand-washing is best but you can make your own hand sanitizer using rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) and aloe vera gel! (You need at least 60% alcohol for an effective sanitizer.)
If using 91% isopropanol, mix 3/4 cup alcohol and 1/4 cup aloe gel. If using 99% isopropanol, mix 2/3 cup alcohol and 1/3 cup aloe gel.
You can find more details in the news segment below. Keep out of the reach of children, as you would any hand sanitizer!
This shows taking your own aloe plant leaves and creating it all or buying the aloe gel at a local market.
That is another good recipe to use. Both follow the CDC recommendations and should effectively kill viruses. As you say, soap and water is the most effective way to protect you and your family. Sanitizer should be used when washing is not possible.
Thanks for this! I will endeavor to do so. Now, the stores are out of rubbing alcohol. Even hand soap and cleaning wipes are sold out or running very low. Fortunately, I do have the other ingredients on hand.
My brother was saying that he saw a lot of cleaning supplies at Lowes. Might be worth a try. Another tip I saw is to ask grocery stores when they get their deliveries but no one seems to be getting hand sanitizer at all.
Good luck and stay healthy. :)
Do you think I could use aloe Vera in place of the glycerin?
Can the glycerin be replaced with alovera??
I have alovera on hand but no glycerin and cant get out to go get any
Thks for the recipe n the coast.
Thankyou so much for this post it is very helpful.
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