Professional Opinions on Home-Made Sanitiser Formula Sought

Bucephalus

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Location
Fremantle, WA
Seeking professional opinions regarding the potency against Covid-19, of the following home-made hand sanitiser formula, which my sister in Scotland sent:
200ml Aloe Vera gel, 150ml Witch Hazel, 50 drops Tea Tree essential oil.
 
In the above IPA = isopropyl alcohol and not imperial pale ale.

It can actually be any alcohol at 70% to be effective. Methylated spirits would work but the denaturants used are pretty nasty and it's not recommended to rub it in your hands.

The witch hazel may have an alcohol base but is unlikely to be 70%.

The alcohol:water ratio is important, neat alcohol is ineffective as it dessicated the outer cell membrane which acts as a protective coating. The water content stops this from happening.

WHO have a recommended sanitiser recipe.
 
A recipe without IPA would be highly regarded as, here in the West, IPA is as rare as rocking horse s**t! Bunnings, Jaycar Electronics (Yes), Chemists, all sold out with resupply unknown.

Regarding bleach:
UNSW virologist Dr Sacha Stelzer-Braid speaking to ABC Radio News; “Diluted bleach and products with an alcohol content above 70 per cent are also effective products”.
This recommendation I would accept for cleaning hard surfaces, not human skin.
 
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A recipe without IPA would be highly regarded as, here in the West, IPA is as rare as rocking horse s**t! Bunnings, Jaycar Electronics (Yes), Chemists, all sold out with resupply unknown.

It's the same everywhere

Few of the local distillers are now producing hand sanitizers for purchase
 
In the above IPA = isopropyl alcohol and not imperial pale ale.

It can actually be any alcohol at 70% to be effective. Methylated spirits would work but the denaturants used are pretty nasty and it's not recommended to rub it in your hands.

The witch hazel may have an alcohol base but is unlikely to be 70%.

The alcohol:water ratio is important, neat alcohol is ineffective as it dessicated the outer cell membrane which acts as a protective coating. The water content stops this from happening.

WHO have a recommended sanitiser recipe.

Thanks @glenos. Would you happen to know if the WHO recipe contains IPA?
 
Guys, any positive advice is appreciated. My Italian wife is greatly concerned for her 96-year old mother who has lived with us since the early-80s. As we both are over 70, we can reduce physical contact (did that years ago) substantially thanks to the supermarkets “happy hour” for seniors. However, we have to consider the number of contact points during those quick shopping trips.
Our local Chemist, knowing our domestic situation, kept two small bottles of sanitiser for us but has no IPA.
 
Brew HQ in Balcatta have plenty of Glycerine in stock, $31.95 for 1L bottles. Think they have 20L cubes also
 
I thought the advice was that soap was more effective than sanitiser for hand washing re: virus kill with 20 sec contact time.? Sanitiser is pretty rough on the hands after a while.
 
They said I was crazy, they said I had no idea.
Now who's laughing with litres at his disposal ? ;)

SPIRYTUS 96% vol.alc. 500ml
If in Sydney area, Jim even personally delivers.
 
Alcohol based sanitisers are actually gentler on the skin because they typically contain emmolients. If you're experiencing adverse reactions, it probably means your skin barrier is already compromised due to overwashing with soap and water - a good thing! Just remember to apply moisturiser. Lots of cases of dermatitis popping up.

In clinical settings, we use sanitisers if there isn't any visible soiling of the hands. Otherwise, good 'ol soap and water which is what I personally stick with (and sorbolene cream for post moisturisation).
 
Aah, Sorbolene! Our eldest twin daughter absolutely swears by a 50/50 mix of Sorbolene and Coconut Oil as a moisturise. It appears to work as, despite working FIFO in the open environment, her skin is always clean, supple and fresh-looking.
 
From the media this morning -

Wineries and other local businesses can now manufacture hand sanitiser for use by consumers and in health facilities without Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval, provided they use one of two recipes.

The relaxing of regulations around hand sanitiser production was announced by Health Minister Greg Hunt and Science Minister Karen Andrews this morning.

"These changes will make it easier for Australian businesses to produce and supply hand sanitiser to meet rising demand caused by the COVID-19 outbreak," the said in a statement.
Businesses can now sell hand sanitiser without TGA approval provided it is made according to the WHO or
the US Food and Drug Administration formulation

The 'recipes' can presumably used for home purposes too.
 
Very similar to those referenced immediately above.

IF you can obtain Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA), here are two effective hand sanitisers:
1. Gel - Quick and Easy:
Ingredients: IPA, Aloe Vera Gel, Tea Tree Oil.
Method:
a. Mix 3 parts IPA to 1 part Aloe Vera Gel.
b. Add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil for a pleasant smell.

2. Spray Recipe (Recommended by WHO)
Ingredients: IPA, Glycerol (Glycerine), Hydrogen Peroxide (Coles, Chemist Warehouse, around $4/200ml), Distilled Water, Spray Bottle.
Method:
a. Mix 1 2/3rd cups IPA with 2 teaspoons Glycerol [ stops IPA drying out skin. If you can not locate Glycerol, proceed with the Recipe, but remember to moisturise your hands after applying the sanitiser. ]
b. Mix in 1 tablespoon Hydrogen Peroxide then 1/4 cup of Distilled Water [ Boiled then cooled tap water is just as effective ].

N.B. Remember, at least 2/3rds of final mixture has to be Alcohol. Load solution into spray bottles and spray onto folded paper towels which can then be used as a wipe for hands or surfaces.
 
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