Frustrated by not being able to refill our hand sanitisers for our upcoming Easter Camp as the whole world seemed to be out of stock, we decided to make our own. There's more than a few websites showing you how to make hand sanitiser that are less than helpful. Unless you make something that is 65%+ alcohol, it's not going to necessarily kill the virus, so watch out for guides that tell you to use vodka and Aloe Vera gel or something similar.
At Tech Camp, we're all geeks at heart, so we needed to make something that is guaranteed to work. The World Health Organisation actually publish a recipe for creating your own.
This version makes a finished solution that is 75% alcohol, so is plenty strong enough.
To make, add to a graduated 1000ml flask:
Top up the flask to 1000 ml with distilled water or water that has been boiled and cooled; shake the flask gently to mix the content.
Isopropol is the active ingredient. The H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) protects against microbial growth, and the glycerol is added to make the solution less drying if used frequently on your hands (a humectant).
Commercial hand gel also has a gelling agent added, but that's not really needed. If you put the finished solution in spray bottles instead of squeezy bottles, a liquid works just fine.
Like anything containing alcohol, keep out of reach of children, and beware that's it's highly flammable.
Our label is obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek and just for our internal use. If you're making some for others to use, it should be labelled properly. The WHO has recommendations here.
