The DIY Farmer | How To Make Bulk Hand Sanitizer

Amid the heightened awareness of hygiene sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in demand for hand sanitizers, producing your own bulk hand sanitizer emerges as a cost-effective and convenient solution. Whether you’re a small business owner, a community organizer, or an individual aiming to ensure personal hygiene, crafting hand sanitizer at home offers myriad benefits.

By taking charge of the ingredient quality, customizing the scent, and guaranteeing a steady supply, you not only meet the pressing need for cleanliness during the pandemic but also contribute to community health and safety. This comprehensive guide will lead you through the essential steps and ingredients required to create your own bulk hand sanitizer, empowering you to take proactive measures in safeguarding against the spread of COVID-19.

How To Make Bulk Hand Sanitizer

There are two important elements to hand sanitizer – the first is the disinfecting properties and the second is the protection that it offers the skin. For Coronavirus, an alcohol concentration of a minimum of 60% is recommended to eliminate the virus.

This makes it necessary to start with rubbing or isopropyl alcohol that has a concentration of more than 90% in order to ensure that the hand sanitizer has the required 60% alcohol concentration once it has been diluted with other ingredients. The 60% concentration has become the standard for hand sanitizers and the WHO (World Health Organization) has provided 2 formulations for making hand sanitizer in bulk.

Hand Sanitizer Gel

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Isopropyl Alcohol (99%)
1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
10 drops Essential Oil (optional)
1 teaspoon Glycerin (optional)

Instructions:

Mixing: In a mixing bowl, combine 2/3 cup of isopropyl alcohol with 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel. Stir thoroughly until they are well blended.
Adding Optional Ingredients: If desired, add 10 drops of your chosen essential oil for fragrance and 1 teaspoon of glycerin to enhance moisturizing properties.
Consistency Check: Ensure the mixture has a gel-like consistency. If it is too thick, add a small amount of distilled water, mixing thoroughly.
Bottling: Using a funnel, pour the mixture into pump bottles. Secure the lids tightly.

Hand Sanitizer Spray

The WHO recipe for bulk spray hand sanitizer is just as simple and easy to make although it has a couple more ingredients:

Ingredients

1 cup Isopropyl Alcohol (99%)
1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel or Glycerin (optional)
1/5 tablespoon Hydrogen Peroxide (optional)
1/4 cup Distilled Water
10 drops Essential Oil (optional)

Instruction

Mixing Base Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol with 1/4 cup of distilled water.
Adding Moisturizers and Sanitizers: If using, add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel or glycerin, and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Mix well to ensure all components are fully incorporated.
Fragrance Addition: Add 10 drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent, if desired.
Bottling: Using a funnel, transfer the mixture into spray bottles. Ensure the spray nozzles are secure and test the spray function.

Storage and Usage

Proper storage and usage of hand sanitizer ensure its effectiveness and safety. Here are detailed instructions for storing and using your hand sanitizer gel and spray effectively.

Labeling:

Always label each bottle clearly with its contents and the date it was made. This is especially important if you have both gel and spray variants to avoid any confusion. Accurate labeling helps ensure everyone knows what they are using and when it was produced, which is essential for maintaining the sanitizer’s effectiveness over time.

Storage:

Keep your hand sanitizers in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Heat and light can degrade the alcohol content, reducing the sanitizer’s effectiveness. Choose a storage area that maintains a stable temperature and is out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.

Usage:

Apply a generous amount of gel or spray to the palm of one hand.
Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces, including the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Continue rubbing until your hands are dry. This ensures that the sanitizer has enough time to kill germs effectively.
Do not rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before it dries, as this can reduce its effectiveness. Hand sanitizer is designed to evaporate quickly, so letting it air dry ensures that the alcohol can perform its germ-killing function.

Safety Tips for Hand Sanitizer Use

Hand sanitizer safely and effectively requires following certain guidelines to ensure it works as intended and avoids potential hazards. Here are some important safety tips to consider when making and using hand sanitizer:

Maintain Alcohol Concentration:

Ensure that the concentration of isopropyl alcohol remains at least 60% in the final product to maintain its germ-killing efficacy. Lower concentrations may not effectively kill germs and viruses, reducing the sanitizer’s effectiveness.

Limit Additional Ingredients:

Avoid adding too many additional ingredients, which can dilute the alcohol content. While aloe vera and essential oils can enhance the sanitizer’s feel and scent, adding too much can lower the alcohol concentration below the effective threshold.

Supervise Children’s Use:

Keep the hand sanitizers out of reach of children and supervise their use. Children should use hand sanitizer under adult supervision to avoid accidental ingestion or overuse, which can cause skin irritation.

Use on Clean Hands:

Do not use hand sanitizers on visibly dirty or greasy hands. Wash your hands with soap and water first if they are dirty or greasy. Hand sanitizers are less effective on soiled hands as dirt and grease can shield germs from the alcohol.

Store Properly:

Store the hand sanitizers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve their efficacy. Heat and light can degrade the alcohol, making the sanitizer less effective.

Avoid Flames and Heat:

Keep hand sanitizer away from flames and heat sources. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are flammable, and exposure to heat or open flames can cause them to ignite.

Monitor Skin Reaction:

Pay attention to how your skin reacts to the hand sanitizer. If you experience irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional. Using a moisturizer after the sanitizer can help alleviate dryness.

Avoid Eyes and Sensitive Areas:

Do not apply hand sanitizer to your eyes or other sensitive areas. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water and seek medical advice if irritation persists.

Further Article:

Sum Up

Making your own bulk hand sanitizer is a straightforward process that can save money and ensure you have a steady supply during times of high demand. By following these steps and adhering to safety guidelines, you can produce an effective and safe hand sanitizer. Remember, while hand sanitizers are useful, they should complement, not replace, thorough handwashing with soap and water.

Stay safe and keep your hands clean!

FAQs

1. Is homemade hand sanitizer as effective as store-bought?

Yes, as long as your hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol, it will be effective in killing most germs, including viruses.

2. Can I use vodka or another type of alcohol instead of isopropyl alcohol?

No, vodka and other types of alcohol do not contain a high enough concentration of alcohol to effectively kill germs. Stick to isopropyl alcohol or ethanol with at least 60% concentration.

3. What if I can’t find aloe vera gel?

You can use glycerin as an alternative to aloe vera gel. It has similar moisturizing properties.

4. How long does homemade hand sanitizer last?

Homemade hand sanitizer can last up to six months if stored in a cool, dry place. Ensure that it is in a sealed container to prevent alcohol evaporation.

5. Is it safe for children to use?

Yes, but supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to ensure they don’t ingest it. Hand sanitizer is for external use only.

Finn Anderson

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