Home made hand sanitizer

Coronaviruses like COVID-19 spread through human contact, and one of the most effective ways to curb its spread is by washing your hands. Hand sanitizer is just as effective at killing bacteria and viruses, and it's easier to use when you're out and about.

A hand sanitizer is your best defense against viruses when you're out running errands and can't get to a sink to wash your hands. The best way to stay protected is to wash your hands for 20 seconds after returning from a public place. As a general rule, you should avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth with unwashed hands.

If you're already using a hand sanitizer, make sure it has at least 60% alcohol. There are some hand sanitizers that are alcohol-free, and these won't be as effective in killing bacteria and viruses. The correct way of using a hand sanitizer is to apply it liberally to your hands and rub them together until the gel effervesces. Demand for hand sanitizers has shot through the roof in the wake of the coronavirus, and if you're running low, you can easily make some at home.

How to make your own hand sanitizer: List of ingredients

A hand sanitizer consists of a pretty basic formula, and it's easy to make your own at home if your local pharmacy or retailer is running low. These are the ingredients you'll need:

• 1. 2/3 cup 99.9% isopropyl alcohol i.e surgical spirit. 
• You can find isopropyl alcohol at any drugstore or pharmacy. A 250ml bottle should be available for around $180ksh, and you'll be able to make a lot of hand sanitizer with that. 
• 2. 1/3 cup 98% aloe vera gel or non sticky glycerine. 
• You need to mix the isopropyl alcohol with something, because on its own it will burn your hands. Aloe vera gel or glycerine act as a natural moisturizer.
• 4. Bowl and spoon to mix it all together.
• 5. A basic funnel to get your hand sanitizer into a bottle.
• 6. Plastic travel bottles for storing the hand sanitizer. Once you get your hand sanitizer ready, you'll need bottles to carry it in. 

How to make the most effective hand sanitizer at home

1. Pour the isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel into the bowl. As hand sanitizers need to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective, you should ideally maintain a 2:1 ratio of isopropyl alcohol to aloe vera gel. For every 100ml of isopropyl alcohol you add, you should mix 50ml of aloe vera gel.
2. Add essential oils to the mix if needed. You don't necessarily need essential oils, but if you like a particular smell, you can add a few drops of oil.
3. Stir the ingredients together with a spoon and pour them into plastic bottles using a funnel. Your hand sanitizer is ready to go.