If you're having trouble finding hand sanitiser in the shops, here's a quick and easy recipe to make it yourself.
The key ingredient is high percentage Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol. According to Professor Mark Wilcox, a microbiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, it needs to be more than 60 per cent and ideally more than 70 per cent, as this is the strength required to kill viruses. Alcohol destroys the protective outer membrane of the virus, causing it to break down rapidly. Coronavirus is particularly susceptible.
Isopropyl alcohol is widely used in soapmaking so you can find it in craft supply shops or online. Adding moisturising aloe vera gel reduces any harshness on your skin. If you prefer to use glycerine, you'll find this at your local chemist or in the home baking section of your supermarket. For a touch of luxe add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
Ingredients:
- 100ml 99.9% rubbing alcohol (Ispropyl)
- 50ml Aloe vera gel (or glycerine if you are allergic to aloe vera)
- 5 to 8 drops essential oils of your choice or a dash of lime/lemon juice
Mix the ingredients together and pour into a plastic bottle with a pump action cap.
Use your sanitising gel every time your hands have been in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or when you've been on public transport.
Dispense some gel onto your hands and rub them together so that the gel is applied right between your fingers and thumbs, the backs of your hands and both wrists.
When the gel has dried, apply a pea-sized drop of Gloves in a Bottle Shielding Lotion to each hand to moisturise and protect your skin against the drying effect of excessive handwashing.
You can also wipe your mobile, laptop, doorknobs etc. with neat Isopropyl alcohol to quickly disinfect and sanitise against 99.9% of germs.