Noah Vinter
Hand sanitizer is a convenient way to prevent the spread of germs when soap and water are unavailable. To be effective, hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol, with some sources recommending 70% or higher. Isopropyl alcohol is commonly used and can be combined with ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, and essential oils to create a sanitizer that meets the minimum alcohol requirement. It's important to note that homemade hand sanitizer should only be made in extreme situations and should not be used on children's skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Kills 99.99% of common germs that cause illness |
| Ingredients | Ethyl Alcohol, Water/Eau/Agua, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Carbomer, Trisopropanolamine |
| Additional Benefits | No-drip gel, so it can be spread evenly over hands and nails; mild formula is free of parabens, phthalates, preservatives and harsh ingredients, so it does not dry out or irritate skin |
| Recipe | Mix 2/3 cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol with 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel in a bowl until blended. You can add a few drops of essential oil to mask the alcohol smell. Whisk the oil into the other ingredients and pour into a container. |
| Other Uses of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol | Can be used to disinfect countertops; can be used on surfaces like marble, limestone, or terrazzo, but not on wood; can be used to create a cheap cold pack |
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$8.99
What You'll Learn
Mix 2/3 cup of 70% rubbing alcohol with 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel
The CDC recommends that hand sanitizers have a minimum of 60% alcohol content to be effective at killing most bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Using 70% isopropyl alcohol, you can make your own hand sanitizer at home by mixing 2/3 cup of the alcohol with 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel.
Firstly, prepare your workspace. Wipe down countertops with a diluted bleach solution and wash your hands thoroughly before making the hand sanitizer. Make sure that you use a clean spoon and whisk to mix the ingredients and that these are also washed before use.
Next, carefully measure 2/3 cup of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and pour it into a clean container. Then, add 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel. You can strain the gel through a fine sieve to remove any strands of the plant left in the bottle.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended. You can use a whisk to combine them, but make sure not to touch the mixture with your hands until it is ready for use.
Finally, use a funnel to fill a pump or squeeze bottle with your homemade hand sanitizer. This recipe will make 1 cup of sanitizer.
It is important to note that, while effective, hand sanitizers are not a replacement for proper handwashing with soap and water. They also may not work well if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
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Add a few drops of essential oil to mask the alcohol smell
To make hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol, you can mix 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel. To mask the alcohol smell, add a few drops of essential oil in a fragrance of your choice.
It is important to note that adding essential oils to hand sanitizer is not recommended unless the product is specifically formulated to accommodate additional ingredients. However, if you choose to add essential oils to your hand sanitizer, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, some essential oils are photosensitive and can cause rashes and sunburns when exposed to the sun, so be sure to research the essential oil you are using. Secondly, while essential oils can provide a pleasant smell and increase the therapeutic effect of the hand sanitizer, they should not be added at the expense of the product's effectiveness. Lab testing is required to determine how well the essential oils are solubilized and whether the hand sanitizer is still effective against viruses and germs.
There are a variety of essential oils that can be used in hand sanitizers, such as cinnamon, lavender, rosemary, lemon, and peppermint essential oils. Tea tree oil is another popular choice due to its anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. When adding essential oils to your hand sanitizer, use 7 to 12 drops for every 70% alcohol solution.
Instead of adding essential oils directly to your hand sanitizer, you can also apply them topically alongside your sanitizer or use essential oil-infused products such as body oil, bar soap, or diffuser blends.
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Whisk the oil into the mixture and pour into a container
To make hand sanitiser with 70% alcohol, you will need to combine alcohol with aloe vera gel. The alcohol must be at least 60% for the hand sanitiser to be effective.
Once you have combined the alcohol and aloe vera gel, you can whisk in the oil. You can add vitamin E oil, or essential oils such as lavender, lemon, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or peppermint oil. Essential oils have antimicrobial properties and can provide aromatherapy benefits, such as boosting your mood and helping you relax.
After whisking the oil into the mixture, you can pour the hand sanitiser into a container. You can use a 2 oz amber glass bottle, or a small squeeze bottle or pump bottle. If you are using a spray bottle, it is important to shake the bottle well to combine the ingredients.
Store your hand sanitiser in a cool, dark place to preserve the potency of the essential oils. If you have used fresh aloe vera gel or added water to your recipe, the hand sanitiser will only last for about two weeks and should be stored in the refrigerator.
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Never combine bleach with 70% alcohol—it releases poisonous gases
Making hand sanitizer at home is easy and only requires a few ingredients. However, it is important to note that homemade hand sanitizer should only be used in extreme situations when handwashing is not available. It is also not recommended for children, as they may be more prone to improper use, leading to a greater risk of injury.
To make an effective hand sanitizer, the alcohol content must be at least 60%, as this is the minimum amount needed to kill most germs. When using 70% alcohol, the recipe is as follows: 12 ounces of alcohol and 1-1.5 tablespoons of water. This will result in a hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of around 75%, which is even more effective at killing germs.
It is important to note that when making hand sanitizer, you should never combine bleach with 70% alcohol. Bleach should only be used to clean the countertops and containers before beginning the mixing process. When mixed together, bleach and 70% alcohol release poisonous gases, which can be dangerous or even fatal. Bleach should also not be mixed with ammonia, oven cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, insecticides, or acidic detergents, as these combinations can also produce toxic gases.
To make hand sanitizer, you will need the following ingredients: isopropyl or ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, sterile or distilled water, and glycerin or another emollient. Mix these ingredients together in a clean glass jar, using a clean spoon and whisk, until they are well blended. Then, pour the mixture into small spray bottles and label them accordingly. It is important to wash your hands and all equipment thoroughly before beginning the mixing process to ensure that no germs are introduced into the hand sanitizer.
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70% alcohol is better than 99% alcohol for disinfecting
To make your own hand sanitizer, you'll need 99% isopropyl alcohol, which can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. However, it's important to note that 70% isopropyl alcohol is more effective as a disinfectant than 99% isopropyl alcohol. This is because the 70% solution contains water, which acts as a catalyst, enhancing the effectiveness of the alcohol. The water content slows down the evaporation of the alcohol, increasing the surface contact time, allowing the alcohol to penetrate the cell wall more completely and coagulate all proteins, resulting in the death of the microorganism.
On the other hand, solutions with higher concentrations of alcohol, such as 99%, coagulate proteins instantly, forming a protective layer that shields other proteins from further coagulation. While these solutions may kill some bacteria, they require longer contact times for effective disinfection.
The presence of water in the 70% solution is crucial for destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. This makes the 70% isopropyl alcohol solution ideal for general cleaning and disinfecting surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, and phones. It is also suitable for use in labs for disinfecting stainless steel hoods used to prepare sterile compounds.
When making your own hand sanitizer, it is essential to exercise caution and follow proper guidelines. Here is a simple recipe for a hand sanitizer spray:
- Start by cleaning and sterilizing the container you will use for mixing and storing the sanitizer. You can do this by boiling the container or using a dishwasher on high heat.
- Pour 99% isopropyl alcohol into the clean container, filling it about two-thirds of the way.
- Add 4 teaspoons of glycerin, which helps to protect your skin from drying out.
- Mix in a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, being careful as it may irritate your skin. Hydrogen peroxide helps kill bacteria that can contaminate your sanitizer during the mixing process.
- Finally, add 1 cup of sterile water and mix everything together.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 72 hours before use, giving the hydrogen peroxide time to kill any germs that may have been introduced during the mixing process.
Always spot-test any homemade formulations before widespread use to ensure they do not cause any adverse reactions. It is also important to note that handwashing with soap and water is still the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ⅔ cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) and ⅓ cup of aloe vera gel.
Mix the alcohol and aloe vera gel in a bowl until blended. You can add a few drops of essential oil to mask the alcohol smell if you want. Whisk the oil into the mixture and pour it into a container.
70% alcohol is better for disinfecting because it has more water, which helps it dissolve slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria. The disinfecting power of alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80-85%.
70% isopropyl alcohol can be used to disinfect surfaces like marble, limestone, and terrazzo (but not wood, as it will damage the finish). It can also be used to create a cheap cold pack—mix a 1-to-1 solution of 70% alcohol and water in a bag and put it in the freezer.
