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Due to the coronavirus epidemic, we feel huge shortages when it comes to disinfectants and personal protective equipment. WHO has published several recipes for hand sanitisers. How to prepare them?
Recipe for hand sanitizer according to WHO
To prepare the hand sanitizer, we need ethanol in a concentration of 96%. or isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of 99,8 percent. Other ingredients are hydrogen peroxide (3%), glycerin (98%), distilled or boiled cold water.
Glycerin is used as a humectant. Other skin emollients and skin care agents can be used to prepare the preparation, provided that they are cheap, widely available and miscible with water and alcohol and do not increase toxicity or cause allergic reactions.
In addition to the listed ingredients, we also need a 10-liter glass or plastic bottle with a screw cap, wooden, plastic or metal mixing paddles, cylinders and measuring jugs, a plastic or metal funnel, an alcohol meter to measure the ethanol concentration.
To prepare a 10-liter liquid, we need:
- 8333 ml of ethanol or 7515 ml of isopropylene alcohol,
- 417 ml of hydrogen peroxide,
- 145 ml of glycerin,
- distilled water or cold boiled water to top up.
Pour alcohol into a large bottle, add hydrogen peroxide. Then, using a measuring cylinder, add glycerin. Due to its viscosity, the substance can settle on the cylinder walls. Rinse it with sterile distilled water or cold prepared water and pour the remnants into the tank. Then fill the bottle with water to the level of 10 liters. We screw the cap tightly to prevent evaporation of the solution. Stir gently by shaking the bottle (if necessary, use a spatula for mixing). Then unscrew the tank and pour the liquid into smaller containers, which we close tightly. The fluid is ready for use 72 hours after its production.
See also: Check if you may have contracted the coronavirus. [Interactive checker]
The recipe for hand sanitizer provided by WHO can be used by pharmacists or technicians working in laboratories in the face of a lack of these agents in hospitals, pharmacies or clinics.
The WHO states that the liquid should be well labeled and also checked for alcohol concentration in the final product.
You can also buy a ready-made antibacterial hand sanitizer gel with various scents. The following are available on Medonet Market:
- Naturaphy anti-bacterial hand disinfection gel with olive scent,
- Naturaphy antibacterial hand disinfection gel with lavender scent,
- Naturaphy antibacterial hand disinfection gel with the scent of forest fruits,
- Naturaphy melon antibacterial hand disinfection gel.
The WHO argues that alcohol-based disinfectants are the only agents currently known to quickly and effectively inactivate a wide range of potentially harmful microorganisms on the hands.
Why is it worth using alcohol-based hand sanitizers? They have a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity with minimal risk of developing antimicrobial resistance. They can be used when we have limited access to washing our hands, e.g. during travel or work.
You can read more about the preparation for hand disinfection on the WHO website.
The editorial office recommends articles from the series “How to protect yourself from the coronavirus”:
- How should you sneeze and cough? Contrary to appearances, not everyone can
- 10 advice from WHO experts regarding the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
- How to effectively disinfect your hands? [INFOGRAPHICS]
- Inhabitants of apartment blocks – disinfect door handles and handrails
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers
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