Make your own disinfectant: recipe for spray and gel

You can make disinfectants yourself from a few ingredients. Whether spray or gel – we will show you how to do it and what you should consider when using disinfectants.

In everyday life, we constantly come into contact with germs – this includes bacteria, algae and viruses. However, it is not always possible to wash your hands on the way. For this reason, many people use disinfectants. There are different types of disinfectants:

• Bactericide: against bacteria, like most commercial disinfectants
• fungicide: Against fungi (but not against spores)
• Sporizid: against spores
• Virucide: against viruses
• bacteriostatic respectively. virostatic agents: inhibit the multiplication of bacteria or viruses, but do not kill them

Make your own disinfectant spray: ingredients

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In just a few steps, you can make a disinfectant yourself instead of buying it. The instructions correspond to the recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO). You need that for one Disinfectant spray:

• High percentage of alcohol: 1L ethanol (96 percent) or 902ml isopropyl alcohol (99.8 percent)
• 50ml Hydrogen peroxide (three percent, a disinfectant home remedy)
• 17ml Glycerin (a nourishing additive)
• 80ml distilled water

You can get the high-proof alcohol, for example, in the pharmacy. You need one for storage container with more than a liter capacity and a lid. To fill the spray is also a small one Bottle with spray attachment recommendable (from the pharmacy or drugstore).

Optionally, you can add some natural ingredients. Although they are not part of the WHO recipe, they can support the effect of the disinfectant:

• Aloe vera gel (against drying out the skin)
• Tea tree oil (antibacterial effect)
• Volatile oil (have an antimicrobial effect, for example Eucalyptus oil, Lavender oil, Thyme oil or Cinnamon oil)

The ingredients mentioned are biodegradable.

Instructions: Make disinfectant spray

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Kreuz_und_Quer)

To make your disinfectant spray, do the following:

1. Put the alcohol first, then the hydrogen peroxide and finally the glycerin in the large container provided. If necessary, use a funnel.
2. Close the container immediately after mixing so that nothing evaporates.
3. Gently shake the jar to thoroughly mix all of the materials together.
4. Now you can fill the disinfectant into smaller bottles.

Make disinfection gel yourself

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Gadini)

To produce disinfectants in gel form, first make a spray as described above. What you for Disinfectant gel you also need:

• Binding agent Xanthan (from the health food store): 1 tsp per 100 ml of liquid
• Small bottle with Pump attachment

Make disinfectant gel:

1. First make a spray as described above.
2. Now you can either make a gel out of the whole amount or you fill only a small part. Place the liquid to be used in a larger or smaller bowl.
3. Then add some xanthan. You should use about a teaspoon per 100ml.
4. Mix the ingredients together until you get a homogeneous mass. Use the amount of xanthan to reach the desired consistency.
5. Fill the gel into the container provided.

Use disinfectant correctly

The correct use of disinfectant is important for it to work:

1. Shake the disinfectant vigorously once before use.
2. Put a small amount of disinfectant in your hand. A pea-sized amount is sufficient.
3. Spread the agent all over your hands. Also rub your finger gaps and fingernails.
4. Let the disinfectant work for about 30 seconds.

Since alcohol dries out the skin, regularly apply a rich hand cream to your hands.

You can also use the homemade disinfectant to disinfect surfaces.

Is disinfectant necessary?

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / slavoljubovski)

Aggressive ingredients are usually required to remove bacteria, fungi and viruses from your hands. These can dry out, irritate and even damage your skin. High-proof alcohol is also included. For this reason, you should not use disinfectants too often. Excessive use can even cause the skin builds up resistance. So use disinfectants sparingly. Disinfectants are used primarily in hospitals to ensure a sterile environment and treatment for patients. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) even advises against use in private households, unless this is necessary for health reasons.

Washing hands with soap and water is generally sufficient for private use. So always wash your hands when you get home. Note our tips for proper hand washing, so that you remove germs from your hands as best as possible.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Flu: symptoms, duration, tips for prevention and vaccination
• Dry hands: These home remedies make your hands tender again
• Almost everyone makes these 6 hygiene mistakes