Your immune system may protect you from these germs most of the time, but you can also take preventive measures to kill germs and reduce the spread of sickness. The best defense against contracting any kind of virus is practicing basic hygiene like washing hands regularly and keeping hands away from your face.

Alcohol has been used as a hand sanitizer since 1888, and the disinfecting qualities of ethanol and isopropanol are well-proven. A 2020 review of alcohol-based hand sanitizers found that sanitizers which were 60% to 95% alcohol kill germs most effectively, provided that at least 2.4 milliliters of hand sanitizer was applied for 25 to 30 seconds. However, we strongly suggest washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

Hand sanitizer helps you get rid of germs from your hands when you can’t get to a sink. Keep in mind hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, and do not eliminate 100% of germs.

If you can’t find hand sanitizer, it’s worth making some to have handy throughout your day.

Here’s how to make hand sanitizer at home:

• 2/3 cup 99% rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
• 1/3 cup 100% pure aloe vera gel
• Optional:8-10 drops essential oil for smell
• Empty liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottle

Step 1: Mix the rubbing alcohol, aloe vera and optional essential oil in a bowl with a spoon. Be careful to keep pure alcohol away from your skin.

Step 2: Funnel the mixture into the empty bottle. Screw the pump cap back on and you have your own homemade hand sanitizer. 

Note:

As easy as it is to make your own hand sanitizer, you should be aware that rubbing alcohol in high quantities can dry and damage your skin. Make sure you stick to the 2:1 proportion to keep the alcohol content at least 60% to be effective. You can also use gloves while mixing and follow up sanitization with hand moisturizer.

Basic coronavirus tips checklist.

From our family to yours, we hope you all are safe and healthy.

*Disclaimer: Even though the recipe follows the CDC's recommendations, we can't guarantee that your hand sanitizer will protect against viruses.