DIY hand sanitizer March 12, 2020, 03:12:26 pm When we returned from Morro Bay, Cyndy went grocery shopping and discovered that Costco, Walmart, Albertsons, and Von's are all completely out of hand sanitizer. What to do?We made our own.I bought a gallon of 200 proof (100%) isopropanol (denatured alcohol) ($22) and two 20 oz. bottles of Aloe Vera with Lanolin hand lotion ($8), and four 4 oz. plastic refillable squirt bottles ($2). Add one oz of hand lotion to three oz. of isopropanol and shake it vigorously. The lotion and the alcohol mixed well, resulting in four ounces of 75% alcohol hand sanitizer (stronger than the commercially available stuff). The ingredients we purchased will make 160 ounces of hand sanitizer lotion for a grand total of $32 and a cost of 20 cents an ounce for the finished product. Since this is far more than we will need, we bought some extra squirt bottles at Walmart and will make another batch for my son to keep in his high school classroom. Last night's news reported that scalpers in north San Diego county were advertising Purell hand sanitizer on Craigslist for $250/ bottle.For my next batch, I will add a little glycerin to make it a little slimier and less watery. Presentation is everything.Naturally, frequent hand washing is the best practice, but hand sanitizer is nice to have around between washing.Harold 6 Likes
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #1 – March 15, 2020, 09:19:40 pm When the gallon jugs of alcohol arrived, they are 100% denatured alcohol from Quality Chemical and sold as a cleaning agent. Denatured alcohol, as you likely know, is ethanol with methanol (wood alcohol) added so that people won't drink it and it doesn't get taxed by the feds. Ethanol has two carbons, methanol has one carbon, and the two propanols (n-propanol and iso-propanol, which is rubbing alcohol) have three carbons. However, I checked NIH and CDC and denatured alcohol and isopropanol both work just fine to kill the virus. They recommend cutting the concentration with water to 90% to allow the alcohol to permeate the virus exterior sheath prior to denaturing its proteins (how it kills the virus.) The best microbial and viral kill occurs at 10 seconds exposure.I've been playing with hand sanitizer recipes using aloe, lanolin, and gel and it works just fine. Aloe with lanolin tends to separate after a few hours so we have to re-shake it prior to using it. The lanolin keeps the skin from drying out from the alcohol. We are keeping a bottle in each car and supplying all our kids. My son took a gallon of the 100% alcohol so that he can make a large amount of hand sanitizer for his high school students who live in a low income area and don't have access to supplies. I guess they have to come back to school to get it...Please stay healthy.Harold 5 Likes
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #2 – March 16, 2020, 09:41:29 am Harold, thanks for this important info.Where did you buy the 200 proof isopropanol and Aloe Vera?Bob
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #3 – March 16, 2020, 10:53:19 am Bob,I found them on Amazon. I looked specifically for 200 proof (100%) denatured alcohol or iso-propanol. If it doesn't say "hand sanitizer, it hasn't been swept up yet by the hoarders. Denatured alcohol is used as a cooking fuel and a cleaner, as well as an antimicrobial.Here is a quart of denatured alcohol on Amazon:Sunnyside 83432 Denatured Alcohol, Quart - - Amazon.comHere is a gallon of 99.9% iso-propanol for $50, an inflated price, but at least it is available:Amazon.com: Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% ACS, Reagent Grade - 1 Gallon: Industrial... As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #4 – March 16, 2020, 11:17:09 am This is the aloe/lanolin I have been using. Amazon.com : Triple Lanolin Aloe 20 Ounce Hand & Body Lotion Pump (591ml) (2...1/2 ounce water4 1/2 ounces 100% (200 proof) alcohol1 oz Aloe/lanolin lotionThis makes 6 oz of 75% alcohol hand sanitizer. It is watery and will separate after 30 minutes or so, but if you shake it prior to use it works just fine. The lanolin helps keep your hands from drying out from the alcohol.Good luck to all and stay healthy. Harold 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #5 – March 16, 2020, 11:32:09 am Thanks Harold. I used your supplied links to order. I appreciate your help very much.Bob
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #6 – March 16, 2020, 12:29:40 pm Iso-propyl alcohol is preferable to denatured alcohol due to the methanol mixed into the ethyl alcohol to make it "denatured". Typically (and according to CE standards) denatured alcohol is 90% ethanol and 10% ethanol, but in the US the percentages can vary.
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #7 – March 16, 2020, 12:38:54 pm I know this is an out-of-scope post/thread but I beg moderator’s tolerance as I do wish to pass on this insight to my LD family... A recent study suggested (not a controlled, clinical study) that accumulated gel from “Hand Sanitizer” can actually harbor bacteria once the alcohol has evaporated and recommended that soap and water as preferable. Following an earlier post by Andy I keep a spray bottle full of dishwashing-soapy water in my car and scrub then rinse with water immediately upon entry.
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #8 – March 16, 2020, 01:03:09 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - March 16, 2020, 12:29:40 pmIso-propyl alcohol is preferable to denatured alcohol ...This does mean that denaturated alcohol is OK (and better than nothing) for do-it-yourself sanitizer if I can't get isopropyl alcohol, right?Klaus
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #9 – March 16, 2020, 01:16:35 pm Warren,Frequent hand washing, recommended at 20 seconds per wash is best.Klaus,I have a call in to Quality Chemical to find the methanol/ethanol proportions. Both ethanol and isopropanol work well against viruses. Higher concentrations (higher than 10%) of methanol in ethanol to make denatured alcohol reduce its effectiveness as a germicide. High concentrations of methanol can be harmful.HD
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #10 – March 16, 2020, 01:40:31 pm Klaus,The mix of ethanol to methanol reported in the Safety Data Sheet is 90% ethanol, 4.7% methanol, and a few other ingredients less than 1% each. None of the ingredients are anything that you would want to swim in or drink, but the MSD sheet stated minimum skin exposure risk at the mixed concentration.I'm comfortable with this denatured alcohol as a hand wipe. Isopropyl alcohol would still be better. Hand washing better still.YMMVHarold
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #11 – March 16, 2020, 02:03:44 pm Quote from: WhiteElk - March 16, 2020, 12:38:54 pm. . . accumulated gel from “Hand Sanitizer” can actually harbor bacteria once the alcohol has evaporated and recommended that soap and water as preferable. I've always considered hand sanitizer 'first aid' till I can wash my handsFrom the CDCThanks Warren
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #12 – March 16, 2020, 02:22:06 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - March 16, 2020, 01:40:31 pmI'm comfortable with this denatured alcohol as a hand wipe. Isopropyl alcohol would still be better. Hand washing better still.Good to hear that denatured alcohol is OK as a first measure before hand washing. I think I washed my hands in the last three weeks more often than in the 10 years before that.
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #13 – March 16, 2020, 05:30:09 pm I liked Andy's idea of foaming hand soap and using that instead (he was told washing hands is more effective than hand sanitizer).Of course foaming hand soap is also sold out. We did a small bottle of liquid soap (castile soap for us) mixed with water - we did roughly 5 parts water to 1 part soap but you mix to your desired consistency.Then keep it in the toad with paper towels to wash while out and about.Jane
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #14 – March 16, 2020, 09:54:40 pm As I may have said elsewhere, I've been using Seventh Generation brand liquid soap, cut 50% by volume with tap water, in a foaming soap dispenser that was left over from another brand. Once you have one of these foaming dispensers, you can fill it with any liquid soap that has the right consistency. You could probably use Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap, but I save that for shampooing. ;-)
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #15 – March 17, 2020, 10:47:53 am "I have a call in to Quality Chemical to find the methanol/ethanol proportions. Both ethanol and isopropanol work well against viruses."FYIWhat Is Denatured Alcohol? 1 Likes
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #16 – March 17, 2020, 01:27:18 pm So, other than hands drying out, can one just spray your hands with 70% isopropanol alcohol (which I have plenty of already)?
Re: DIY hand sanitizer Reply #17 – March 17, 2020, 02:21:31 pm Greg, that is correct, but it is likely to dry the skin on your hands, which could case some irritation.Cyndy brought home an inexpensive bottle of Chantal 99.5% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel. (How can it be 99.%% aloe vera when the first ingredient is "purified water?") I mixed up a batch of hand sanitizer using 90% denatured ethanol and the Ale Vera to make a 70% alcohol solution. It stays in solution nicely and leaves a moist lotion-like remnant on the hands when it dries.Easy Peasy.Harold
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