Some diseases spread through human contact i.e., COVID, and one of the most effective ways to stop its spread is by washing your hands. The use of hand sanitizer or hand rub is another way of cleaning your hand. It is just as effective at killing bacteria and viruses. It is and it’s easier to use when you’re out and around. Here’s how you can make your hand sanitizer at home.
Products used in this guide
Kill the viruses: Isopropyl Alcohol or Spirit
Protect your skin: Aloe Vera Gel
Make it fragrant: Simple oil with a good smell, i.e coconut oil.
How to make your hand sanitizer: What you need to know
A hand sanitizer is your best defense against viruses when you’re out running errands and can’t get to a sink to wash your hands. According to the CDC, the best way to stay protected is to wash your hands for 20 seconds after returning from a public place. As a general rule, you should avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth with unwashed hands.
If you’re already using a hand sanitizer, make sure it has at least 60% alcohol. Some hand sanitizers are alcohol-free, and these won’t be as effective in killing bacteria and viruses. The correct way of using a hand sanitizer is to apply it liberally to your hands and rub them together until the gel effervesces. Demand for hand sanitizers has shot through the roof in the wake of the coronavirus, and if you’re running low, you can easily make some at home.
How to make your hand sanitizer: List of ingredients
A hand sanitizer consists of a pretty basic formula, and it’s easy to make your own at home if your local pharmacy or retailer is running low. These are the ingredients you’ll need:
2/3 cup 99.9% isopropyl alcohol
You can find isopropyl alcohol at any drugstore or pharmacy if it’s out of stock.
1/3 cup 98% aloe vera gel
You need to mix the isopropyl alcohol with something because on its own it will burn your hands. The ideal solution is aloe vera gel as it acts as a natural moisturizer.
8-10 drops of essential oils
If you need to add some fragrance to the mix, pick up a pack of essential oils. This isn’t needed, but most pocket hand sanitizers these days have some fragrance, and if you’re used to the smell, it doesn’t cost much to pick up a few essential oils.
Bowl and spoon to mix it all.
A basic funnel
This will be used to pour your hand sanitizer into a bottle.
Aloe Vera Plant
This is the main thing in the process because the gel will be extracted from this plant!
A plastic spray bottle
This bottle can be found in the market. I will be used to store the hand sanitizer. Once you get your hand sanitizer ready, you’ll need bottles to carry it in. It is normally a spray bottle that you can buy from the market.
How to make the most effective hand sanitizer at home
Before you start making your own hand sanitizer at home, there is a very important point to note. Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable and will burn your skin should it come into direct contact with your hands. I recommend using nitrile gloves as a general precaution. Once you’re ready to get started, here’s what you need to do:
Pour the isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel into the bowl. As hand sanitizers need to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective, you should ideally maintain a 2:1 ratio of isopropyl alcohol to aloe vera gel. For every 2oz of isopropyl alcohol you add, you should mix 2oz of aloe vera gel.
Add essential oils to the mix if needed. You don’t necessarily need essential oils, but if you like a particular smell, you can add a few drops of oil.
Stir the ingredients together with a spoon and pour them into plastic bottles using a funnel. Your hand sanitizer is ready to go.
