Our ancestors and parents have always emphasized the importance of handwashing. It has always been the age-old ritual of protecting yourself from the invisible germs, dirt, and bacteria. Keeping your hands clean is one of the effective ways you can safeguard yourself against the virus. A proper hygiene protocol will stop the virus’s spread from one person to another and from your home and workplace to childcare and hospitals. Considering the rapid spread of Coronavirus, experts suggest using a hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to clean water and soap.
However, the good news is you can make one for yourself with just three ingredients. Before preparing home hand sanitizer, make a note of the following things:
- Use only recipe that adhere to the guidelines by reputable organization like World Health Organization (WHO)
- It is only advisable to use a homemade hand sanitizer when the store sanitizer isn’t available.
- Keep the homemade sanitizer out of the reach of children.
Let’s get to know the step-by-step process to make hand sanitizer at home:
Essentials for making the recipe:
- One part of aloe vera
- Two parts of isopropyl alcohol or 70% ethanol
- A few drops of eucalyptus, clove, or essential oil
- A clean air-tight container for blending and storing the mixture
- One spoon for mixing the ingredients
For preparing one cup of hand sanitizer, here’s are the below steps:
- Mix ⅓ cup of gel or glycerine with two-third of isopropyl alcohol in a clean container
- Use a spoon to whisk the mixture so that the alcohol is evenly distributed in the aloe gel.
- Add five drops of essential oil to the mixture. However, this is an optional thing since the use of oil is only for infusing fragrance.
- Slowly with time, the alcohol will evaporate from the mixture, but your sanitizer will stay for longer. Make sure the container is clean and air-tight to last longer.
Hand sanitizer may be less in supply at the stores, but this simple ingredient will save you from the hassle. You don’t have to rush to the store to get one when you can prepare one easily at your home.
For some people whose skin is sensitive, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can further harm your skin. It can dry your hands further with repeated use. They may be good for cleaning, but it is not good for your health. You may not be aware of this, but this type of sanitizer easily flammable. Thus, it is better to switch to non-alcoholic hand gels like Dr Rhazes Germ Kill Hand Gel. The product is alcohol-free and gentle on the skin and its effectiveness in killing the germs in clinically proven. It is specially formulated with Kanyasara (Aloe barbadensis Mill.) and Nimbuka (Citrus medica Rutaceae) that soothe your skin inside out.
If you’re not keen on using alcoholic sanitizer, you can make your own sanitizer with simple ingredients. However, one of the disadvantages of homemade sanitizer is it gets contaminated if there is an incorrect ingredient. It is best to select a non-alcohol hand sanitizer that promotes softer skin and protects you well from the virus.
