Is DIY hand sanitizer safe and effective?
These days, there are countless DIY hand sanitizer recipe posts on the internet, but are they secure? An at-home sanitizer is probably preferable than nothing. However, hand sanitizer designed for business purposes is usually preferable since it goes through quality control to guarantee an efficient alcohol concentration.
Homemade recipes can readily contaminated by using the wrong ingredient, using the wrong amount, or using too little alcohol to kill bacteria. It is crucial that you operate in a clean environment, use clean instruments, and wash your hands completely before starting the procedure if you decide to produce hand sanitizer at home.
Even if the recipe is straightforward, it could be difficult to locate the materials for hand sanitizer. No drinking spirits work as sanitizers; you must use rubbing alcohol, which has a greater alcohol content.
How to properly use your homemade sanitizer
It might be challenging to utilize homemade sanitizer since it is frequently more watery than professionally produced sanitizers. Your homemade sanitizer may be made simpler to use without spilling by using a squeeze or pump container.
Squeeze out just enough hand sanitizer to coat your hands completely in order to use it efficiently. By rubbing your hands together, cover every surface. It will take around 20 seconds for your hands to finish drying off while you continue to massage them together.
Handwashing vs. hand sanitizer
In order to safeguard oneself against the new coronavirus as well as other illnesses like the common cold and seasonal flu, it is important to understand when it is best to wash your hands and when hand sanitizers might be useful.
Both have a place, but according to the CDC, washing your hands with soap and water should always come first. If soap and water aren’t accessible, only use hand sanitizer in that circumstance.
Additionally, remember to constantly wash your hands:
- after going to the bathroom
- after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- before eating
- after touching surfaces that could be contaminated
The CDC provides detailed guidelines on how to wash your hands in the most efficient manner. They advise taking the following actions:
- Use only fresh, flowing water. (It may be hot or chilly.)
- Before applying soap, wet your hands with water, then turn the water off.
- For at least 20 seconds, rub your hands together while using the soap. Scrub the backs of your hands, the spaces between your fingers, and the area around your nails.
- Rinse your hands under the running water. Dry with a fresh towel or the air.
