DIY Home Antiseptics

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The topic of hand sanitizers is now more relevant than ever. And, unfortunately, in some regions, finding them on sale today is akin to a feat … Why not try to make antiseptics with your own hands? Unfortunately, we do not always have the opportunity to wash our hands, but it is still somehow necessary to fight against pathogenic bacteria and viruses … And, by the way, making an antiseptic with your own hands is very, very simple

What to take as a basis?

The best basis for making homemade antiseptics will, of course, be alcohol, while its concentration should be at least 60 - 70%. Regular vodka is definitely not suitable for these purposes! It is best to take ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, but in the absence of it, some alcoholic tinctures (hawthorn or calendula, for example) will also work, the most important thing is that the alcohol content in them is at least 70%.

Antibacterial gel

In order to prepare an antiseptic in the form of a gel, 100 ml of alcohol is poured into a clean container, after which 50 ml of aloe vera and a couple of drops of some flavoring agent are added to it (citrus essential oil is especially suitable for these purposes). And in order for the future antiseptic to acquire a gel-like consistency, for every 150 ml of the prepared composition, it is necessary to add three or four drops of glycerin. Overdoing it with glycerin and adding more of it is definitely not worth it, since the antibacterial gel in this case can become sticky, and this will be very unpleasant and inconvenient. And when the life-saving product is ready, it must be poured into any available bottle with a dispenser. That's all the wisdom!

Antiseptic spray

This product turns out to be very economical, and it is very easy and pleasant to use it! 80 ml of 96% ethanol is poured into a glass or plastic container (as an option, 70% ethanol can be used), then 3% hydrogen peroxide in an amount of 4 ml and glycerin (1.5 ml) are added to it. And in conclusion, another 10 ml of water must be added to the future antiseptic composition. All components of the composition are thoroughly mixed, and then the finished product is poured into a container with a spray bottle.

Homemade natural antiseptic

Antiseptics based on natural ingredients are also at a high price today, because it is no secret to anyone that sanitizers prepared on an alcohol basis dry the skin quite strongly, and the presence of various moisturizing components in such antiseptics also does not really save. Well, fortunately, there is a way out of this situation - you can prepare a homemade antiseptic based on natural ingredients, without the slightest alcohol content! And the best basis for such an antiseptic, perhaps, will be the witch hazel bark extract, which is now easy to purchase in many online stores or pharmacies. However, despite the absence of alcohol in the composition, it is still recommended to add moisturizing components to such an antiseptic - it can be either coconut oil or the previously mentioned aloe vera.

100 ml of witch hazel bark extract is poured into a previously prepared container, after which two teaspoons of coconut oil are added to it and everything is thoroughly mixed. To give the composition a pleasant smell, it is recommended to add a few drops of any essential oil at hand (lemon balm, eucalyptus, etc.)and if you want to further enhance the disinfecting effect, a small amount of chlorhexidine, which has long since gained fame as a powerful antiseptic, will not be superfluous. The finished solution is poured into a bottle (it can be either ordinary or with a dispenser - the solution turns out to be liquid, so it will not be problematic to remove it from the container in any case), shake well, and that's it - you can start using it!

Important

Before starting to use any home antiseptic, it is necessary to test for a possible allergic reaction - for this, a small amount of the product is applied to the elbow. If within 12 - 24 hours an allergic reaction does not appear, then you can safely use the prepared product!

Have you ever tried homemade antiseptics?