Home made hand sanitiser!

[Horsewhisper]

Hello everyone, my scientist son is happy with Prototype #1 and here are the ingredients (he also put them on the side of the bottle so I don’t forget for the next batch!) We filled the bottles with a disposable piping bag and used sterile gloves for the whole procedure (of course!) the surgical spirit is 90% alcohol and a minimum of 60% is recommended. There are lots of methods on google, we liked this one. We also dipped some baby wipes into the same solution, squeezed the excess moisture off with cake tongs and double wrapped them in nappy sacks for out-and-about handy wipes. Hope this is useful!

[weathervane]

I have bought all these ingredients as well but I haven’t got round to making it yet as i am using hand sanitizer that I already had . Have you used yours yet , im worried that it might be harsh on the skin ?

[Horsewhisper in reply to weathervane]

Yes I have used it and it does feel slightly drying I think because of the high alcohol content. I am always slathering my hands in E45 cream/Neutrogena anyway as I do have dry skin. I might get my boy to knock up a sample combining some E45/BP aqueous cream with the ingredients and see how that feels to the skin. Not sure how the alcohol will mix with the cream but will give it a try! Can any scientists out there shed some light? Xx

[weathervane in reply to Horsewhisper]

Thanks Horsewhisper , im the same , my hands can get very dry . I will look forward to updates 😀

[Horsewhisper in reply to weathervane]

Hi weathervane, I’ve just made a sample replacing half the aloe vera gel with same amount of E45 fast action skin lotion. The surgical spirit mixed in really well. The consistency is slightly runny hand cream, slightly “greasier” than the gel, it stayed on my hands longer and seemed softer on the skin. I am mindful that the surgical spirit is harsh on the skin and found the E45 helped with its salving effects. Maybe include a base cream in your mix? Let me know how you get on! Xx

[weathervane in reply to Horsewhisper]

Hi Horsewhisper, ive just made a batch in a 50ml spray bottle, it has turned out quite watery but when spray on hands they feel quite soft and it drys quickly . I will only use it when out and about , i will use soap and water when it’s available.

I receive rituximab infusions and have a very low white cell count so i try to be as careful as possible , luckily i have managed to keep reasonably healthy.

Best wishes, take care and keep well , you and all the family xxx

[Horsewhisper in reply to weathervane]

Thanks weathervane, I hope it works for you, keep well and keep safe xx

[KayHimm]

This is very helpful. I am running out of hand sanitizer and don’t know if I can get any more. What is surgical spirit?

😍k

[KayHimm]

Thanks!

[Foggyme]

Windy9. Just in case you are not aware...and in the light of the stringent precautions needed to prevent contamination and infection (especially in view of coronavirus)...

Water-diluted bacterial washing up liquid stored in a container can be a breeding ground for bacteria/virus, and refilling or topping up the same container can increase that potential. These bacteria and virus can remain on the hands - even after washing!

Here's what one research paper says about the potential for soap contamination from soap dispensers (diluting and then storing products increases the risk factor)...

This research confirms previous work demonstrating a strong association between open bulk-soap-refillable soap dispensers and extrinsic bacterial soap contamination and demonstrates that washing with contaminated soap poses a potential public health risk...our findings further show that extrinsic contamination of hand soap can be eliminated or considerably reduced through the use of sealed-soap-dispensing systems.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Research done in hospitals found that some antibacterials / antiseptics grew significant amounts of bacteria once the bottles were opened and retained for later use. Those also diluted with water (as they were at one time) grew significantly more virus/bacteria.

I'm also wondering how your preparation could be used for 'on-the-go-sanitisation' (the reason, I think, why this poster offers this up), when hand washing is not possible, since without alcohol, it will not evaporate...and damp hands are an ideal breeding ground for all manner of virus and bacteria 🤷‍♀️.

So...the hand wash you propose may be 'cheap', but it introduces a potential risk of soap contamination and hence a risk of cross-spread of bacteria / virus. In short, it won't necessarily do the intended job...and is therefore unlikely to be what you call 'highly effective' (clean looking hands do not necessarily mean bacteria and virus free hands)!

And I say this in the spirit (no pun intended) of ensuring that we are all able to keep as safe and as infection free as possible.

[Foggyme]

Yes...soap and water washing is my preference too...and advised as the best method for effective sanitising of the hands.

I only use gel when there is no other option (it's not so good at dealing with viruses (i.e. doesn't kill norovirus and the effect on coronavirus is as yet unknown).

However, and again, in the interests of safety and for others reading, here's what the manufacturer and medicines.org say about Dettol...

Do not use Dettol Liquid • on eczema or similar dry skin conditions • if you are allergic to chloroxylenol or any of the other ingredients • after the expiry date printed on the bottle. • Do not use undiluted

• Do not swallow • Not recommended for use around cats

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

PRODUCT WARNINGS

For external use only...avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed seek medical advice. Do not mix with detergents or other chemicals. Do not use on high gloss acrylic surfaces.

Never, ever try to mix two different types of cleaners together to disinfect your house [applies to hand cleaner too]

dettol.co.nz/our-products/f...

Skin reactions have occurred when used to cleanse skin wounds such as irritation, rashes, progressive degeneration of the skin, skin sores at the site of application. Inflammation ,skin discolouration, itching, skin scaling and peeling and a burning sensation. Hair loss has also been reported...once diluted the solution should be used immediately

hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedoc...

These warnings are especially pertinent since many of us have skin issues, and the advice about not mixing with other products and using immediately after dilution...🤷‍♀️

Happy hands all 👍

[Spotty-ewe]

This is very useful indeed thanks Horsewhisperer.👍🏻 Luckily I have some surgical spirit in the cupboard as you can’t buy it locally now, and I also have tea tree oil and Aloe Vera gel that hubby uses if he gets sun-burned while gardening etc. So I’ll use up all this old stock for your recipe and not worry about trying to source more hand sanitizer which would be a fruitless mission anyway. Many thanks for sharing this with us and for all your tips.👍🏻👍🏻 Much appreciated. Hugs (safe enough when they are cyber hugs!😆) and best wishes, 🤗🤗😘😘 Spotty💕

[Horsewhisper in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thanks Spotty! It was a bit of fun making it with my 12yr old son - heightened his (and his big sister’s) awareness of general hand cleanliness, gave him the chance to talk about the whole virus situation as he seems a bit concerned about it all and an attempt at keeping the bugs out of the way of his immunosuppressed mum! On high dose steroids at the mo, so lying low and keeping calm. Big cyber hugs back to you - nice and bug free! 🤗😘😄

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Horsewhisper]

What a fun way to teach your son and daughter all about hand cleanliness and the spread of viruses. 👍🏻👍🏻 Well done all of you. 👏🏻 Sorry to hear you are on high dose steroids at present. Are you on Hydroxychloroquine too? I read it is supposed to help protect us against this particular virus. So fingers crossed that is true. 🤞🙏🏻

I enjoyed the bug-free hugs thank you. 🤗 Take care and keep safe. You and your children are certainly trying your hardest to remain so. 🤗😘

[Horsewhisper in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Yes indeed - a bit of learning about hand cleanliness can only be a good thing! On 400 mg hydroxy daily so let’s hope that helps too! Thanks for your kind words, very comforting in these uncertain times - same for all of us on here, a great source of support this forum 💐😘🤗

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Horsewhisper]

Yes this forum is very supportive.👍🏻👍🏻 So glad to have found it and all the lovely people on it. 😘 Thanks again Horsewhisperer. 🤗😘

[Hoofprints in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Hi Spotty-ewe. I'm interested to know how hydroxychloroquine gives us protection against viruses and the Corona virus in particular. Can you please tell me where you have read about this as I would like to learn more about it. Thank you 💐

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hoofprints]

Hi Hoofprints, I saw it more than once mentioned on this forum but I can’t find any reference to it just now. 🤦‍♀️Typical! If I come across it again I’ll let you know. The couple of references to it I found didn’t make an explanation, just stated it as a result of studies/observation I presume. Sorry to be so unhelpful. ☹️

[Hoofprints in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Don't worry about finding the sources, and you have been helpful even mentioning it, so thank you!

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hoofprints]

I just Googled Hydroxychloroquine and Coronavirus and a couple of sites came up one of which explained how it helps and is safer to use than chloroquine. Hope this helps. 🤗😘

[Hoofprints in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Ah...I will have a look in the morning

[PMRpro in reply to Hoofprints]

There is no strong evidence that it does, especially in terms of a protective effect, but it has been mentioned in the media a few times as one of the several drugs that the Chinese are looking at to repurpose in the management of the severe effects of Covid19.

If you scroll down this

hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/v...

you will find a list of the potentially useful existing medications which include hydroxychloroquine and tocilizumab - which is already used for RA and GCA - which they seem to think will help with the cytokine storm which causes the greatest damage in really sick patients.

[Hoofprints in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much. This is very interesting. I've heard of cytokines causing all sorts of problems. I will try and look tomorrow when I (hopefully) have less of a treacle brain. Thank you all so much 💐

[heatherevans28]

Hi,

Very interesting post.

I feel like I'm missing something so please advise if I have misunderstood. The surgical spirit is 90% alcohol and you are mixing it at a ratio of 2:1 with aloe vera. That ratio would mean only 66.6666% of the mixture is surgical spirit. The surgical spirit itself is only 90% alcohol so surely this would bring you extremely close to the 60% alcohol mixture that is recommended by public health. It might even bring you just below it depending on just how accurate your measuring conditions are.

I also note that surgical spirit is extremely drying to the skin and can irritate any wounds or skin conditions. Tea tree is known to be highly irritating. If left on the skin pure tea tree oil within a product can cause major sensitivities and a lot of allergic reactions. This is why it is altered in labs to a much lower concentration before being added to OTC products.

I personally never put tea tree on my skin and would be very wary of putting both SS and tea tree these on my hands repeatedly. I appreciate this would only be used where there is no availability to wash your hands so the applications are limited, but it is still a concern.

I have no issue with what people choose to do, but I wanted to clarify these points for others who may be looking to follow. Especially given the complex skin conditions many of us with lupus sadly have.

All the best x

[Horsewhisper in reply to heatherevans28]

Thanks Heather - yes skin involvement is all too common with lupies sadly. Indeed, this suggestion for a hand sanitiser is for out-and-about use where there is no access to hand washing. Good point about the reduction in ratio for the surgical spirit - we did use medical measuring syringes so tried to be as accurate as possible, but realise the effectiveness of the alcohol is reduced somewhat in this ratio.

[maggielee]

Hi

Been studying the alternatives as I don't have any gel in the house as I been not out much lately due to recent illness, so home on sick leave...

It was actually discussed on morning ITV & Lorraine ie alternative gels, sure there a recommendation on their sites.

Heather's 60/40 mix was recommended. The 40 being on hand softener you like & adding a few drops of essential oil...

There are so many if folks don't want to use tea tree such as lemon, grapefruit, peppermint oil, etc.

I was also going to add lavender as well, waiting for delivery of spirits (surgical) on amazon, have plenty of other ingredients...sounds like fun experimenting...

Got a chemist down the road so could ask him too...helps me with work (chemistry)....

Also, tip was use a capful of bleach in a spray bottle of water to sterilize items at home...but caution what you spray it on can take a diluted bleach.... 😊...suppose may be good foe keyboards, sinks, etc. on cloths....

ML

[maggielee]

livesimply.me/diy-hand-sani... here is a link folks can refer to... M L

[joiaz]

Hi Horsewhisper ,

You say that …”the surgical spirit is 90% alcohol…”

Here are the ingredients for Boots surgical spirit b.p. you are using:

Active ingredients: Methyl Salicylate, Diethyl Phthalate, Castor Oil.

Other ingredients: Ethanol 90%. Methanol 5% w/w.

So it’s 95% alcohol

Just thought I’d mention it so you can work out the correct alcohol % in your end product. As you say, it needs to be at least 60% but not unnecessarily high that it dries out or damages your skin.

(The recipe I know is 2/3 surgical spirit to 1/3 aloe vera gel).