With the coronavirus (COVID-19) just declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), many South Africans are starting to panic.
As a result, hand sanitisers are selling out at pharmacies, causing even more anxiety among citizens.
ALSO SEE: 6 Of The Best Hand Sanitisers To Keep Germs At Bay
Martin Bester from Jacaranda FM chatted to Lizeth Kruger, national clinic manager of Dis-Chem clinics, to find out how to make your own hand sanitiser at home. We tuned in to listen…
He asked the burning question, “Is there such a thing as a good sanitiser, and a useless one?”
Lizeth confirmed that there can indeed be differentiated between good and bad hand sanitisers.
The most important ingredient of any good hand sanitiser is alcohol. “A hand sanitiser must have some sort of alcohol in it. If it burns – you know there is alcohol in. Soap is the most effective way; however, you must wash your hands for 20 seconds or more.
“Sanitisers that contain 70-90% alcohol are the preferred choice, but something with around 62% alcohol is also good,” she said.
ALSO SEE: Travelling Soon? Try These Easy Ways To Boost Your Immune System
She shared this quick and easy recipe for making your own sanitiser at home.
How to make your own hand sanitiser
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Aloe Vera
- Around 20 drops Tea Tree Oil or essential oils
- ½ cup Medicolab Ethanol (alcohol) 90% BP
Method:
- Mix all the ingredients together and decant into a sterilised bottle. Use as often as possible.
Top Tip: The sanitiser has a liquid consistency and can be used as a spray too. Decant into a sterilised spray bottle if you prefer.
“It’s cost effective and can be made at home. But be responsible. If the shops run out, don’t panic,” Martin concluded.
Top Tip: According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s best to wash your hands with soap and water first (followed by a hand sanitiser), as this reduces the number of germs and chemicals on your hands.
ALSO SEE: 9 Best Immune System Boosters
