DIY your own hand sanitizer
Notice that there’s a shortage of hand sanitizer at your local store? Luckily, you can make your own right at home! While the CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water whenever possible to reduce the amount of all types of germs and chemicals on your hands, if they’re not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help reduce the number of microbes.
Here’s how to do it…
It’s quick, affordable, easy, and convenient to make your own hand sanitizer at home. All you need is aloe vera gel, 99% percent isopropyl alcohol, essential oils for aroma, and small, watertight containers.
Step 1: Mix the aloe vera gel and the rubbing alcohol
Step 2: Add in a few drops of essential oils, like lavender or peppermint, for aroma
Step 3: Pour the mixture into airtight containers
Step 4: Grab, rub, and go!
It’s especially crucial that you make hand sanitizer using at least 60% alcohol concentration. This is because an alcohol concentration of between 60 and 99% is more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration.
And here’s how to apply hand sanitizer the right way
Believe it or not, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to use hand sanitizer. Many people simply don’t apply enough hand sanitizer — to effectively combat the coronavirus and other germs, you should apply a dime-sized amount of hand sanitizer and then thoroughly rub it all over your hands.
Step 1: Remove all organic matter like dirt and grease from your hands
Step 2: Apply a dime-size amount to the palm of one hand
Step 3: Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of both hands, including between your fingers and up around your fingertips and nails
Step 4: Rub your hands together for 30 seconds to allow your hands to absorb the sanitizer completely
Step 5: Avoid touching anything until your hands are dry
How often should you sanitize your hands? The CDC has a handy page you can review, but essentially, it’s any time you’re likely to get and spread germs. Oh, and you always want to sanitize your hands before touching any part of your face.
#CleanHandsSaveLives
We all have to do our part to prevent the spread of coronavirus. That means frequently washing your hands throughout the day to kill and help prevent the transmission of harmful viruses and bacteria.
References
- “How Often You Should Actually Wash Your Hands,” Inside Edition, February 12, 2019.
- “Show Me The Science — When and How to Use Hand Sanitizer in Community Settings,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.
