How To Make Hand Sanitizer – Since the outbreak of the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus, citizens have been advised to practice a good hygiene system and to stay safe. As that is the only way to prevent the spread of the virus since there is no cure or vaccine for it.
In a bid to protecting oneself, hand sanitizers have been recognized to stop the spread of germs and viruses.
Although, hand sanitizers cannot replace washing one’s hands with soap and clean water.
It can however be used as a substitute in situations you can’t find clean water and soap.
The world health organization (WHO) has recommended that one should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to protect yourself from the virus.
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How to Make Homemade DIY Hand Sanitizer
That being said, do you know you can make a hand sanitizer from the comfort of your home?
Yes, you can and I am positive after reading this article, you won’t have to buy a hand sanitizer from the supermarket. Because you will be able to make your hand sanitizer at home.
However, before you begin to make a hand sanitizer, it is extremely important to be aware of this; the sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol. This is because alcohol-based hand sanitizers inactivate microbes on the hands compared to alcohol-free hand sanitizer.
How to make a hand sanitizer differs, based on the ingredients being used.
Hand sanitizer ingredients may consist of more than two to three ingredients depending on the availability of resources.
For better effectiveness, using adequate ingredients is advised.
Homemade hand sanitizer is considered the best because it is made with all-natural ingredients, making it naturally anti-microbial.
It also prevents irritation of the skin.
Hand Sanitizer Recipes
When making a hand sanitizer, the ingredients to use varies, but the basic ingredients for
homemade antibacterial spray for skin include;
- Isopropyl alcohol which can be a high proof grain alcohol
- Essential oils
- Witch hazel
- Distilled water, where there is no distilled water, boiled cold water can suffice
- Spray bottle
Directions:
To make a hand sanitizer using this recipe is pretty easy, let’s see how it’s done.
- Get a beaker or an old tumbler.
- Pour in the isopropyl alcohol, you can also use vodka if you don’t have isopropyl.
- Just make sure whatever you are using a high concentration of alcohol.
- After, pour in the witch hazel, the witch hazel has less amount of antimicrobial properties.
- And should not be used alone because it will not be effective for germ-fighting or as an antiseptic.
How to Make Witch Hazel Sanitizer
So a principal witch hazel sanitizer will not be effective, as witch hazel should not be used as a single germ destroyer ingredient.
- Add all the mixture to a spray bottle that will completely contain it.
- Add the distilled water to the mixture, replace the cover of the spray bottle, and shake it well.
- Now, it is time to add the essential oils. Essential oils are present to give a good fragrance.
For example: For a hand sanitizer recipe where Aloe Vera is an ingredient, it is important to get rid of the pungent smell of aloe Vera.
Hence, the need for essential oils to reduce or terminate the smell of the aloe Vera leaves you with a scented hand sanitizer.
Essential oils come in different types such as lavender oil, orange oil, tea tree oil, lemon oil, etc.
This gives you different types of variety to choose from.
After applying the required drops of essential oils, it is important to mix them well by shaking them.
This is done to prevent the essential oil from settling at the bottom of the spray bottle.
Woah!!! A homemade spray hand sanitizer is done.
Apply on your palm and rub together.
You will notice that in the list of ingredients, the quantity to use was not stated.
This is because people have different skin types.
While some may be sensitive to a higher quantity of essential oils over isopropyl alcohol.
While others may be sensitive to a higher quantity of isopropyl alcohol over essential oils.
So, to avoid skin irritation, you can come up with a quantity that is considered safe for all skin types or yourself.
Also, hand sanitizers come in liquid, gel, and foam types.
The procedure explained above and ingredients listed can still be used on how to make a liquid hand sanitizer as the end product is a spray hand sanitizer.
How to Make Gel-like Hand Sanitizer + Aloe Vera
To make a gel-like hand sanitizer, aloe vera is important, to squeeze out the gel.
This is because gel and foam cannot be easily sprayed.
Making an aloe vera sanitizer is similar to a spray hand sanitizer. Only that the witch hazel will be substituted for aloe Vera plant with little or no distilled water.
Aloe Vera Juice Sanitizer Recipe
But, the ingredients remain;
- Isopropyl alcohol, (undiluted),
- Essential oil, and
- Aloe Vera gel.
Homemade Aloe Vera Hand Sanitizer
To get your aloe Vera gel, follow this simple process
- Wash the aloe vera plant thoroughly and take out the body of the aloe Vera.
- Bring out the transparent gel-like substance and put it in a bowl.
- Then mix thoroughly using a whisk or for a smooth consistency,
- Blend properly with an electric blender.
Kindly note that in a situation where you only have local material available, you can still make use of some local material to make a cheap hand sanitizer. However, you should bear in mind that the effectiveness will be lesser than the regular one.
How to Make Hand Sanitizer with Garlic
To make a cheap hand sanitizer, you can easily get your materials from local plants.
These local materials for a cheap hand sanitizer are;
- Turmeric,
- Camphor,
- Wild spinach, and
- Garlic.
These cheap hand sanitizer still provides some advantages which are:
- Easily absorbed by the skin, generating a cool and warm sensation.
- It is also good for babies.
- Cheap hand sanitizer is cost-effective and locally sourced with alcohol and glycerine being the only foreign ingredient.
Since we all have different skin types and as such, one skin may react negatively to alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
In such a situation, you may consider following a non-alcohol hand sanitizer recipe
However, kindly note that a non-alcohol hand sanitizer recipe may not be as effective as an alcohol hand sanitizer recipe. This is because of the absence of alcohol which is meant to kill microbes that can harm the body.
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Therefore, you should make sure the alcohol content is 60% while making the hand sanitizer.
And with a higher quantity of witch hazel for skin nourishment to ease the reaction on your skin.
However, if you are to use a non-alcohol hand sanitizer, ensure you purchase a clean well-hand sanitizer.
It is all-natural and alcohol-free, proven to kill 99.9% of germs.
It is also a trusted natural hand sanitizer for babies as well, with zero toxicity.
You can also get a purell hand sanitizer from the supermarket.
Other Hand Sanitizer Recipes
You should also note that the inclusion of Vitamin E is important in a hand sanitizer recipe.
It is combined with essential oil to make hand sanitizer smell good.
Hand sanitizer and wipes are significant to kill microbes we may come in contact with, hence, always carry a hand sanitizer wherever you go.
Ensure that you always wash your hands with soap and clean water if you have access to one.
Conclusion
Hand sanitizers are a good way to keep germs at bay on the move, especially at this period.
Since they’ve become scarce and expensive, it makes sense to make yours at home and we believe you’ve learned how.
This is a good way to stay safe and save money
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