How can I make my own hand sanitizer at home?
Anika H. Ahmed, MD
One thing common across the globe during the pandemic of COVID-19 has been the scarcity of hand sanitizers. Gone are the days when one would find aisles full of hand sanitizers and wipes in every grocery and departmental store, in order to maintain a germ-free environment when on the go. Office buildings, stores’ and malls’ corridors, restrooms, elevators, lunchrooms, break-out areas, lobby, conference, and meeting rooms are now required to be equipped with huge hand sanitizer dispensers. With lockdowns, self-quarantine, and isolation, the need for hand sanitizers is greater and it is difficult for retail stores to meet the increased demand. The good news is that hand sanitizers can easily be made at home.
Nothing can beat the old -fashioned way of washing hands thoroughly and properly with soap and water. However, oftentimes soap and water are not available, and one has to depend on “on-the-go” hand sanitizers, to keep oneself germ free. The Centers for Disease Control highly recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol, which can effectively kill most of the germs including the new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19.
They say necessity is the mother of invention! To stay protected, make hand sanitizers at home. Scientists have helped provide the three necessary ingredients that are essential for an effective hand sanitizer. This is what you need:
- Two parts of Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol- This should be 99 percent alcohol by volume. It forms the base for all hand sanitizers and needs to be blended in well with two other ingredients. It is able to kill all germs including SARS-CoV-2. However, it cannot get rid of chemicals, grease, and certain germs like norovirus, cryptosporidium (which causes cryptosporidiosis), and clostridium difficile which cause serious disease. That is why hand washing with soap and water is recommended to get rid of all chemicals, grease, and germs.
- One part of Aloe Vera gel – This is available in bottles in pharmacies and other retail stores. Another easy option is a fresh Aloe Vera leaf (grow your own plant or buy Aloe Vera leaf available in grocery stores). Cut open an Aloe Vera leaf, scrape out the gel, and blend it.
- An essential oil or lemon juice – A few drops of an essential oil, for example, Lavender oil, Peppermint oil, clove, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, or only plain lemon juice are needed.
Some easy tips for preparing hand sanitizers at home from the above ingredients is to prepare in a clean space. Start preparing after washing hands thoroughly like surgeons do before surgery. Mix the ingredients with a clean spoon and whisk (both spoon and whisk washed thoroughly before use), mix all ingredients thoroughly after making sure that the alcohol used is not diluted, and avoid touching the mixture with hands until it’s ready to use.
If hand sanitizers need to be prepared on an exceptionally large scale, then the World Health Organization has a formula for mixing isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerol, and sterile distilled or boiled and then cooled water.
Hand sanitizers are most effective only if used properly. The trick is to put some on the palm of the hands and then rub thoroughly the entire surface of both hands, both thumbs, and all fingers, until the hand is dry. Make sure the hand sanitizer reaches all angles, especially the skin under the nails. Go for hand sanitizer only when soap and water are not available. Better to do it the old-fashioned way!