Tight Times Hand Sanitizer

Have you looked for hand sanitizer lately? It is very hard to find due to the Covid-19 virus. You can mix up a substitute to help get by.

The World Health Organization has this PDF guide on “Hand Rub Formulations.” The recipe most people will relate to, or have ingredients on hand is:

Materials required (small volume production)
REAGENTS FOR FORMULATION 2:
• Isopropyl alcohol 99.8%
• Hydrogen peroxide 3%
• Glycerol 98%
• Sterile distilled or boiled cold water
To Make 10 Liters
Recommended amounts of products:
FORMULATION 2
• Isopropyl alcohol 99.8%: 7515 ml
• Hydrogen peroxide 3%: 417 ml
• Glycerol 98%: 145 ml
• Sterile distilled or boiled cold water to top off.

NOTE
• Glycerol: used as humectant, but other emollients may be used
for skin care, provided that they are cheap, widely available and miscible in water and alcohol and do not add to toxicity, or promote allergy.
• Hydrogen peroxide: used to inactivate contaminating bacterial
spores in the solution and is not an active substance for hand antisepsis.
• Any further additive to both formulations should be clearly labelled and be non-toxic in case of accidental ingestion.
• A colorant may be added to allow differentiation from other fluids, but should not add to toxicity, promote allergy, or interfere with antimicrobial properties. The addition of perfumes or dyes is not recommended due to risk of allergic reactions.

This recipe makes 10 liters or 2.64172 gallons. This is WAY to much for the average household. To reduce divide everything by 10 to make 1 liter or just over 1 quart. Check the math but it should be along the lines of:

• Isopropyl alcohol 99.8%: 24.177 ounce
• Hydrogen peroxide 3%: 1.41 ounce
• Glycerol 98%: 0.49 ounce

The link below will take you to Smart School House blog with an option for hand sanitizing wipes.