Hand sanitiser recipe: Two virus-killing options to try at home

Hand sanitiser might be a hot commodity right now with the product sold out in supermarkets nationwide, but it’s actually just as easy to make your own.

Jessica Wang

2 min read

April 19, 2020 - 11:52AM

Coronavirus: How to make your own hand sanitizer

We get it. Times are tough and ever since early March, the supermarket shelves have been bare of hand sanitiser.

But ingenious people have found ways to make their own.

While a bottle of the virus-fighting goop doesn’t replace washing your hands with good old soap and water, if you’re unable to find a tap, it can be the next best option.

When it comes to recipes for DIY hand sanitiser, there seems to be two schools of thought. One is adapted from the recipe shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the other (albeit easier method) has been the choice adopted by the internet.

Either way, you’re going to need a formulation with an alcohol content of at least 60 to 80 per cent for ultimate efficacy.

Here’s how to do both.

RECIPE 1:

Ingredients

Aloe vera gel (note: this is also getting increasingly hard to buy)

Isopropyl alcohol

Essential oils (optional)

Method

Simply combine two parts isopropyl alcohol with one part aloe vera gel and mix to combine.

If you like, you can also add a few drops of essential oils in your mix. Options like Tea Tree, rose, rosehip, sandalwood, camomile and lavender are great. Just be weary of using phototoxic oils like bergamot and citrus oils which can cause irritation and burning if used on skin that’s exposed to the sun.

Transfer your DIY hand sanitiser into a (sterilised) pump or squeeze bottle and you’re done.

Hand sanitiser has been hard to come by during the coronavirus pandemic.

RECIPE 2:

Ingredients

Isopropyl alcohol (752ml)

Glycerine (15ml)

Hydrogen peroxide (42ml)

Sterile distilled or boiled cold water (191ml)

Measuring equipment

A 1-litre glass or metal bottle with a lid

Spray containers to store your hand sanitiser

Note: This mixture will make 1-litre of hand sanitiser.

Method

Moving quickly and in the following order, pour the isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and glycerine into the container. As the glycerine is quite sticky, you will want to use some of your water to rinse out the measuring device to ensure all of the glycerine is incorporated into your solution. Finally, add in the water.

Immediately screw the lid back on your bottle to avoid evaporation and shake gently.

Distribute the liquid into your spray bottles and allow the mixture to settle for 72 hours. According to WHO, this allows the mixture to kill any spores in the alcohol or bottle.

Looking for things to pass the time? The best shows to watch, the funniest videos, the best hacks and home workouts? Find it all at our Life (goes on) in Lockdown section