An Ounce of Prevention
Is Even Better When it’s Made at Home.
If the coronavirus outbreak has prompted you to add a bottle or two of hand sanitizer to your weekly shopping list, you’re not alone. Hand sanitizers have literally been flying off grocery and chain store shelves. And prices have skyrocketed with a two-pack of Purell reportedly selling for $149.00.
Cost and availability issues aside, there are a number of reasons to consider making your own hand sanitizer at home.
First, many conventional hand sanitizing gels and sprays use antibacterial—but not antiviral—agents. That means they won’t do anything to protect you from the corona (or any other) virus. In fact, their widespread use has been definitively linked to the evolution and spread antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria known as “superbugs.”
In addition to immune and hormone-disrupting dyes, fragrances, parabens, and preservatives, these products typically contain toxic chemicals, such as benzalkonium chloride, as their active ingredient. Benzalkonium chloride is a possible carcinogen that can also cause extensive damage to the eyes, making it a particularly poor choice for anyone who wears contacts.
While they still contain chemical toxins, hand sanitizers that contain isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol as an active ingredient kill both bacteria (by damaging cell walls) and viruses (by destroying structural proteins) on contact.
According to a recent statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), “the most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.”
Most experts agree that the preferred strategy for preventing any kind of a viral infection is to simply wash your hands. But that’s not always possible. And it has to be done correctly.
It’s imperative to wash with soap for a minimum of 25 seconds (which is about the amount of time it takes to repeat the alphabet twice) in the hottest water you can comfortably tolerate after you’ve been in public. Make sure to cover all parts of your hands. Keep your fingernails trimmed short or use a nail brush to scrub underneath them. It’s also important to dry your hands thoroughly and refrain from touching your face—no matter how badly your eyes or nose might itch.
After 10 years of living in the drought-prone state of California, I still cringe at the thought of letting the tap run for almost 30 seconds. But it’s not necessary to keep it going on full blast; you just need enough water to create a steady stream.
To avoid exposing yourself to the harmful additives found in commercial hand sanitizers, consider making your own at home. It takes just a few minutes and requires only two ingredients. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. The recipe below follows this formula. It’s aloe vera base is both gentle and soothing. And the optional essential oils add extra virus fighting power.
Ingredients:
· ¼ cup aloe vera gel
· 1 TBSP rubbing alcohol
· 10 drops cinnamon essential oil (optional)
· 10 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix the aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol in a small bowl.
2. Add the (optional) cinnamon and tea tree essential oils. A few drops of lemongrass, orange, lavender, or peppermint oils can also be used for additional scent.
3. Mix well, adding a little tap water to thin the consistency if necessary.
4. Use a small funnel or medicine dropper to transfer the mixture into a spray or pump bottle. To avoid being exposed to the BPA and PBS (synthetic estrogens), phthalates (endocrine disruptors), and styrene (a carcinogen) found in plastic, use glass bottles like these https://amzn.to/3aD4vcE or these https://amzn.to/2PWzzMq.
5. Use as you would any other type of hand sanitizer.