Wondering if you can make your own hand sanitizer at home? Well, you can if you follow the WHO’s guidelines. Now, this should not be an alternative to having good hygiene habits such as washing your hands. Keep reading to learn how to make hand sanitizer.
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This DIY sanitizer recipe is based on a mix recommended by the WHO. It is not a gel like we’re used to buying, but rather a spray. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own hand sanitizer at home:
How To Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer Recipe
Ingredients for Hand Sanitizer
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Glycerol or glycerine (optional)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Distilled water or boiled, then cooled, water
- Spray bottle
- 1-2 drops essential oil (completely optional, but y’all are going to do it anyway)
Directions to Make Homemade Sanitizer
The first thing you need to do to make your own hand sanitizer is mix 1 2/3 cups of isopropyl alcohol with 2 teaspoons of glycerol (or glycerine). You can buy large quantities glycerol online or smaller quantities at health food stores (it’s usually in the same section as essential oils).
Glycerol/glycerine is an important ingredient because it is a humectant, which means it keeps your hands from drying out from the alcohol in the solution. If you don’t have it, go ahead and leave the ingredient out and just remember to moisturize.
The next thing you need to do to make your own hand sanitizer is mix in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of distilled or boiled water that has been cooled. The hydrogen peroxide is not an active ingredient, but it does help kill any bacterial spores that may have survived your boiling attempts. You want this stuff sterile.
The last thing you will need to do is pour the solution into spray bottles. If you don’t have a spray bottle, just use a bottle with that has a cap with a small hole so you don’t spill the solution everywhere when you need it.
Essential oil really isn’t necessary and isn’t included in the official WHO hand sanitizer recipe. But hey, smelling good can boost your spirits and that’s always helpful. Just add 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil to the solution such as lavender, citrus or tea tree.
A Word About DIY Sanitizer Potency
One of the biggest things the CDC says, besides that soap and water is very effective at removing germs, is that an effective hand sanitizer will have a concentration of at least 60% alcohol, and that is why your stash of vodka and gin won’t work.
Make sure you are using at least 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and that the final solution is at least two-thirds alcohol to be on the safe side. I know some of you don’t like to measure.
How To Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer Recipe
Making your own hand sanitizer is easy and effective if you use the WHO’s recommendations. Here’s how to make DIY sanitizer at home.
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- How To Make Wipes At Home
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- How To Avoid Coronavirus According To The CDC
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