write a paragraph on how to make hand sanitizer at home to kill germs and stop infection
Answers
Washing hands with soap and water is the most effective way to stop the spread of germs.
But when soap and water isn't available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the production of hand sanitizer so that commercial hand sanitizers should always contain at least 60% alcohol upon purchase.
It's more difficult to measure alcohol content in homemade sanitizers, which is why commercial sanitizers are recommended. But in a pinch, you may be able to make an effective hand sanitizer at home. Here's how.
How to make your own hand sanitizer at home
Erum Ilyas, MD, a dermatologist in Pennsylvania, started making her own hand sanitizer when her practice faced shortages during the coronavirus outbreak.
The doctors used homemade hand sanitizer in their offices, and reserved commercially-made hand sanitizer for interactions with patients. "At home hand sanitizer is not necessarily a bad idea and not that difficult to make overall," Ilyas says.
To be effective at killing germs, hand sanitizer must be at least 60% alcohol. In commercially-made products, alcohol concentration is measured with an alcohol meter, says Jenelle Kim, an herbalist and founder of JBK Wellness Labs.
When followed closely, this recipe produces a hand sanitizer with the necessary alcohol concentration. However, it's important to measure precisely.
"Careful attention should be paid to the ratio of key ingredients or else you run the risk of creating a formula that isn't effective or is too harsh on your skin," Kim says.
What you'll need:
1 part aloe vera gel or glycerin
2 part isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) with a concentration of 91%
Essential oil, such as lemon or lavender (this is an optional ingredient for scent)
Clean containers for mixing and an air-tight container for storage
Spoon or whisk for mixing
Steps
Combine the aloe vera gel or glycerin with the isopropyl alcohol in a clean container. To get one cup of sanitizer, combine ⅓ cup of gel or glycerin with ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol.
Mix thoroughly with your spoon or whisk to ensure that the alcohol is evenly distributed throughout the gel.
Stir in five drops of an essential oil, if you're using it. This is entirely optional and is only meant to improve the scent of the sanitizer.
Store the sanitizer in an air-tight container. Alcohol evaporates with time, so an air-tight container will keep your sanitizer effective for longer. A pump or squeeze bottle can minimize evaporation while keeping your sanitizer easily accessible — just make sure the container for your sanitizer is clean and air-tight.