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Your hands carry more germs than any other part of your body. Don’t believe us. Just remember how you often forget to wash your hands after using the loo or the way you keep tapping, tapping, and tapping your cellphone throughout the day. All these make your hands a cesspool of germs, and you are not even aware of it! However, a hand sanitizer can help you maintain your hand hygiene in the best possible way. While more and more synthetic hand-sanitizing products pop up in the market, it is always good to opt for their natural versions, preferably made at home. So, here is everything that you need to know about hand sanitizers, along with some of the most effective DIY recipes to try at home.
What Is A Hand Sanitizer?
A hand sanitizer is an antiseptic solution, mainly used as an alternative to a traditional soap solution. It keeps us protected against fatal diseases by preventing the pathogens present in our hands from spreading. The importance of using hand sanitizer is highly underrated. Some people are genuinely not aware of its uses, while others don’t feel they need it. But there is no point in taking chances with hygiene when you have such an option for dealing with it. Hand sanitizer plays a significant role in bringing the best care of our hygiene. When you are away from a sink, a hand sanitizer containing 60-80% of alcohol can come to your rescue.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), a pair of contaminated hands are responsible for around 80% of common infections. In fact, proper hand hygiene is known to be the best defense against the HINI flu virus.
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Things To Know About A Hand Sanitizer
Before digging deeper into the methods of making natural hand sanitizers at home, here are some of the most significant things you should know about them.
It Is Effective
A report by WHO revealed that alcohol-based sanitizers could reduce bacteria much more effectively while keeping hands cleaner for an extended period.
It Does Not Cause Bacterial Resistance
There is a myth that the frequent use of hand sanitizers makes bacteria resistant to them. But it is not at all true. Sanitizers work by disrupting the cell membranes of bacteria with alcohol, and bacteria cannot become immune to it. So, there is no chance of developing ‘super-bacteria’ in your body by using hand sanitizers.
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It Is Not Harsh To Skin
If you compare a hand sanitizer with anti-bacterial soap, you will find that the sanitizer is much gentler on your skin than the latter one. Even though it comes with an alcohol-based formula, you can also find lots of emollients in it, which takes good care of the skin while fighting against germs.
It Should Be Used Correctly
You must know how to use hand sanitizer to make the most of it. Start with making your hands free from all dirt and grime that are visible. Now, pour some product on your palm and keep rubbing both palms vigorously for the next 20-30 seconds. This will ensure that the gel is distributed all over your hands. Essentially, it should be applied on your fingers, wrists, backs of your hands, and under your nails for effective cleansing. Once the hands become dry, you are done. However, you should never use water or a towel for rinsing or wiping your hands right after applying a hand sanitizer. This will counteract the effect of the product and spoil all your efforts.
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Most Effective DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes
A commercial hand sanitizer is costly. Moreover, it can contain harmful chemical compounds that you have always wanted to avoid. But you can always make your version of natural hand sanitizer at home and keep your hands healthy in a natural way. Here is a list of some of the most effective homemade hand sanitizers.
1. Aloe Vera Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients Required:
- Fresh aloe vera gel – 1/3 cup
- 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or ethanol – 2/3 cup
- Essential oil of your choice (lavender, vanilla, peppermint, grapefruit) – 8 to 10 drops
- A plastic spray bottle
- A funnel
- A medium-sized bowl and a spoon
Method To Prepare:
Take all these ingredients in the bowl and mix them well using the spoon. Now, pour the mixture into the spray bottle through the funnel, and your hand sanitizer is ready to use.
Note: The presence of alcohol in the hand sanitizer should be at least 60 percent to work as an effective disinfectant.
2. Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients Required:
- Witch hazel – 2 teaspoons
- Essential oil of your choice (tea tree or eucalyptus oil) – 4 to 5 drops
- Vodka – 2 ounces
- A plastic spray bottle
- A funnel
- A small bowl
Method To Prepare:
Like the previous method, put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Then, pour it into the bottle with the help of the funnel. The essential oil used in the product adds fragrance and helps eliminate germs from the hands.
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3. Essential Oil Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients Required:
- Cinnamon essential oil – 10 drops
- Grapefruit seed extract – 20 drops
- Tea tree essential oil – 10 drops
- Fresh aloe vera gel – 1/4 cup
- Rubbing alcohol – 1 teaspoon
- Vegetable glycerin – 1/2 teaspoon
- Distilled water – as required
- A plastic spray bottle
- A funnel
- A small bowl
Method To Prepare:
Mix all the ingredients (except water) well in the bowl. Now, add distilled water as required to get the desired consistency. Then, using the funnel, transfer the liquid to the bottle, and you are done. This homemade hand sanitizer smells divine.
Note: Vegetable glycerin is an optional ingredient in this recipe. You can avoid it if you want to prevent slight stickiness.
4. Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients Required:
- Fresh aloe vera gel – 1 cup
- Tea tree oil – 30 drops
- Witch hazel – 1 tablespoon
- Lavender oil – 10 drops
- Vitamin E oil – 4 drops
- A plastic spray bottle
- A funnel
- A small bowl
Method To Prepare:
In the bowl, take all the ingredients and mix them very well. Next, pour the mixture into the bottle using the funnel. Finally, your alcohol-free homemade hand sanitizer is ready. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers can make your hands dry, but this one will keep them moisturized.
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