Hand sanitizer is selling out, leaving some people choosing to make their own. Here’s an easy, homemade recipe to make it simple.
The world is becoming increasingly concerned about the rapid spread of the coronavirus, and that has hand sanitizers flying off store shelves. The shortage has many searching for how to make their own. Here are some steps you can take to reduce germs on your hands and help prevent the spread of germs to others.
When Possible, Wash Your Hands
Let’s be very clear – hand sanitizer, whether store-bought or homemade, is absolutely not a replacement for keeping hands clean. According to the CDC, regular hand washing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid spreading germs to others, and is the recommended way to help prevent illness. And that doesn’t mean just running your hands under water.
Handwashing involves five easy and effective steps – wet your hands, lather your hands, fingers and underneath fingernails with soap, scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, rinse under warm, clean water, and dry your hands with a clean towel, or allow them to air-dry.
When Soap and Water Are Not Available, Use An Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
An alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used if you do not have access to soap and water. To use it properly, apply the gel product to the palm of one hand and rub your hands together just as you would soap. Be sure to apply the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers for ~ 20 seconds or until your hands are dry.
As the shortage of store-bought hand sanitizer becomes the reality, more people are researching how to make their own. Aside from alcohol, GNC has everything you need to make your own. Homemade hand sanitizer can be made by using isopropyl alcohol that is no lower than 99%, aloe vera gel and essential oils. Here’s a simple recipe you can make at home.
Ingredients
– 1 cup Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
– 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
– 10 drops tea tree essential oil
– 5 drops lavender essential oil
– 5 drops vitamin E oil
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir for at least one minute until well combined. Be sure to mix ingredients thoroughly. Prior to using, first try a small sample on your skin. If the product is not evenly mixed, it may cause skin irritation due to the alcohol. The gel mixture will be ready to use immediately, but transfer to a sealed container to store. This hand sanitizer can be used when you can’t get to a sink to wash your hands.
It’s important to understand that alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. However, when you can’t wash your hands, they do make sense.
As a leader in health and wellness supplements, GNC is committed to helping the world stay well. Live well.
