For a larger batch of hand sanitizer, the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source has a formula for a hand sanitizer that uses:
*isopropyl alcohol or ethanol
*hydrogen peroxide
glycerol
*sterile distilled or boiled cold water
If you’re making hand sanitizer at home, adhere to these tips:
*Make the hand sanitizer in a clean space. Wipe down countertops with a diluted bleach solution beforehand.
*Wash your hands thoroughly before making the hand sanitizer.
*To mix, use a clean spoon and whisk. Wash these items thoroughly before using them.
*Make sure the alcohol used for the hand sanitizer is not diluted.
*Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they’re well blended.
*Don’t touch the mixture with your hands until it’s ready for use.
Is it safe?
Homemade hand sanitizer is only recommended in extreme situations when you’re unable to wash your hands for the foreseeable future.
Improper ingredients or proportions can lead to:
lack of efficacy, meaning that the sanitizer may not effectively eliminate risk of exposure to some or all microbes
* skin irritation, injury, or burns
* exposure to hazardous chemicals via inhalation
Homemade hand sanitizer is also not recommended for children. Children may be more prone to improper hand sanitizer usage, which could lead to greater risk of injury.
How to use hand sanitizer
Two things to be aware of when using hand sanitizer:
*You need to rub it into your skin until your hands are dry.
*If your hands are greasy or dirty, you should wash them first with soap and water.
With that in mind, here are some tips for using hand sanitizer effectively.
1.Spray or apply the sanitizer to the palm of one hand.
2.Thoroughly rub your hands together. Make sure you cover the entire surface of your hands and all your fingers.
3.Continue rubbing for 30 to 60 seconds or until your hands are dry. It can take at least 60 seconds, and sometimes longer, for hand sanitizer to kill most germs.
What germs can hand sanitizer kill?
According to the CDCTrusted Source, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that meets the alcohol volume requirement can quickly reduce the number of microbes on your hands.
It can also help destroy a wide range of disease-causing agents or pathogens on your hands, including the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
However, even the best alcohol-based hand sanitizers have limitations and don’t eliminate all types of germs.
According to the CDC, hand sanitizers won’t get rid of potentially harmful chemicals. It’s also not effective at killing the following germs:
* Norovirus
* Cryptosporidium, which causes cryptosporidiosis
* Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff
Also, a hand sanitizer may not work well if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy. This may happen after working with food, doing yard work, gardening, or playing a sport.
If your hands look dirty or slimy, opt for handwashing instead of a hand sanitizer.
Note:
Hand sanitizer is a handy on-the-go way to help prevent the spread of germs when soap and water isn’t available. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help keep you safe and reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.
If you’re having a hard time finding hand sanitizer at your local stores and handwashing isn’t available, you can take steps to make your own. You only need a few ingredients, such as rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, and an essential oil or lemon juice.
Although hand sanitizers can be an effective way of getting rid of germs, health authorities still recommend handwashing whenever possible to keep your hands free of disease-causing viruses and other germs.
The CDC lists specific instructionsTrusted Source on the most effective way to wash your hands. They recommend the following steps:
1.Always use clean, running water. (It can be warm or cold.)
2.Wet your hands first, then turn the water off, and lather your hands with soap.
3.Rub your hands together with the soap for at least 20 seconds.
Make sure to scrub the back of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
4.Turn the water on and rinse your hands. Use a clean towel or air dry
