Homemade disinfectants are not for coronavirus only

Today the use of disinfectants should be a common practice, especially when you spent time in “high risk” places or when you came into contact with people showing symptoms. Unfortunately, disinfectants are now almost sold out due to coronavirus concerns.

But do not despair, here is a manual how to make your own disinfectant solution right at home. It is quite simple and you will be using readily available ingredients. This manual was even published by the WHO so, countries where supplies are scarce can manufacture disinfectants on their own.

So what is a homemade disinfectant according to WHO?

You can use this type of disinfectant for various purposes – not only for hand hygiene, but also for surface cleaning for example. You will need the following ingredients.

• 1,000 ml pure alcohol (preferably 96% ethanol or 99.8% isopropyl alcohol)
• 42 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 15 ml of glycerine
• boiled water

When you get all the ingredients, you need to mix them well. First, put a little bit of peroxide to the alcohol and then add glycerine. Then add boiled water to make a one litter and mix it well. That is it.

Photo: Pixabay

If you do not have ethanol or glycerine…

Unfortunately, not all the ingredients are readily available. This is especially true for high-percentage (high-proof) alcohol, which you cannot get from regular stores. If that is the case, you can use rubbing (technical grade) alcohol from a drugstore. Rubbing alcohol is little bit more aggressive, but if you cannot get ethanol, rubbing alcohol is ok.

To get glycerine is even harder. You can try in various hobby shops, because glycerine is used to make soap and people do make their own soap at home.

Alcohol and peroxide is enough against coronavirus

If you do not want to run from pharmacy to pharmacy you can use your home supplies. You may be surprised, but homemade plum brandy will do too. And not only in the form of a shot… as men like to claim. 40-50% alcohol content in a brandy can break glycoproteins that make up the outer layer of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19.

To make it even more effective, mix it with hydrogen peroxide. Pretty much half and half. Mix well and you use immediately. Be careful with the dosage though, the solution is very “watery” and tends to run away from the skin and from your hands.

A good tip for everyone who can’t stand the smell of alcohol

Do you avoid alcohol disinfectants because of the odour? Then simply remove it. It is rather easy thanks to essential or ethereal oils. Look only for products that are labelled as essential or ethereal oils, to make sure that you get 100% natural stuff. Other names including fragrance oil, aroma oil, etc., indicate chemical products which do not offer the desirable effects.

You will need 20-25 drops per one litre to kill the smell of alcohol. Well, to be honest you will not get the entire smell of alcohol out – a tiny bit will remain but it is usually okay.

Preview photo: Pixabay