If you are stuck at home and are out of stock with hand sanitizer and can’t go out and buy one, don’t worry you can make a convenient sanitizer using simple ingredients that are available online or in any local pharmacy. To stop the spread of the Corona Virus, it is essential to wash your hands with alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Statutory Warning
Don’t use this hand sanitizer on children’s skin. Keep away from children they may misuse it.
Make a hand sanitizer when there is no hand sanitizer available for unforeseeable future.
The hand sanitizer has been created with the utmost care and precision.
Ingredients
Following are the ingredients required to make a hand sanitizer:
- isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. (99% alcohol volume)
- aloe vera gel.
- Tea tree or lavender oil
Apparatus Required
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Empty container to store
To make an effective, efficient and germ-eliminating sanitizer, it is essential to stick to a 2:1 proportion of alcohol to aloe vera. According to a study, this is the amount required to kill most of the germs.
Tips
- Clean the space before you create your hand sanitizer.
- Clean your hands before making the hand sanitizer.
- Clean the bowl, spoon and a whisk. Clean thoroughly.
- Ensure that the alcohol created for the hand sanitizer is not diluted.
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Don’t touch the mixture until it is ready to use.
Note: To make a larger batch of the hand sanitizer use the following – isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerol, sterile distilled water.
Caveat
Use this home-made sanitizer in extreme conditions!
- The sanitizer may not be effective.
- May lead to skin irritation, burns or injuries.
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Instructions to make the hand sanitizer (The WHO Method):
1. Pour the alcohol into a medium container. The Measurement will help you get the proportions right.
2. Add the hydrogen peroxide.
3. Add the glycerin and stir.
4. Measure and pour the water. Measure ¼ of a cup of distilled or boiled cold water and add it to your mix. Stir
5. Clean the container and pour in your hand sanitizer.
6. Label the box.
To make the Gel Hand sanitizer:
Ingredients :
- 1 cup of 91% isopropyl alcohol
- ½ cup of aloe-vera gel
- 15 drops of tea tree oil
Instructions
1. Pour the alcohol into a medium container.
2. Measure and pour the aloe-vera gel.
3. Add the essential oil.
4. Whisk.
5. Clean the container and pour in your hand sanitizer.
6. Label the container.
How to use the Hand Sanitizer?
Rub the hand sanitizer on your skin gently.
If your hands are dirty and greasy first wash them with running water.
Rub both your hands together for one minute.
According to Dr Stephen Morse, professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, “This Sanitizer is as effective as soap and water when made correctly. We know it works, but make sure it has enough alcohol in it.” he said.
The hand sanitizer can be easily prepared at home with minimal ingredients and equipment. The alcohol-based sanitizers can keep you safe, clean and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If you can’t find a hand sanitizer at your local stores and hand washing isn’t available, you can take steps to make your own.
Author Bio
Sanket Alurkar is a MA Creative Writing Student at Kingston University. He is passionate about storytelling, writing, reading books. He loves to go out for cycling, adventure sports and loves to cook.