There are many people who wonder in recent days if alcohol really disinfects the hands. And it is that more and more people want to know for sure if using a disinfectant gel is enough to deal with the coronavirus.
In this article we want to clear up some doubts about whether alcohol disinfects hands and we will talk about the use of disinfectant gels. We will also show you a step by step for proper disinfection and hand washing and we will give you a very simple recipe to make your own homemade hand sanitizer. Keep reading and do not lose detail.
Does alcohol disinfect hands against coronavirus?
Talking about solutions against the coronavirus in these times would not be prudent on our part. What we can assure you is that alcohol is a powerful antiseptic that has great bactericidal power and is capable of eliminating up to 90% of the bacteria found in the hands. Of course, its concentration must be 70% minimum.
Eliminating germs and bacteria that accumulate on the hands and between the fingers is not only recommended to prevent COVID-19, but it is also effective in preventing gastrointestinal infections, colds, flu and other viruses.
To disinfect your hands, it is advisable to wash them with soap and water and use alcohol gel as a complement or for when you are away from home.
Why alcohol disinfects
Alcohol is an antiseptic, that is, it has the ability to destroy germs and prevent their existence. It is a product that inhibits the growth of bacteria and destroys microorganisms that can be found on the skin and can endanger your health. Alcohol, in addition, has power to act on a wide spectrum, such as bactericide or viricide, so it is one of the best options we can use to disinfect.
Another reason why alcohol disinfects is because it contains ethanol, a component that has a viricidal activity greater than that of other types of alcohols. Here are some of the elements that make antiseptic alcohol one of the best disinfectant products:
- Their action is fast.
- It is totally harmless to the skin.
- The duration of its effect is sufficient to allow its disinfectant action.
How to make homemade hand sanitizer with alcohol
In recent days, stocks of hand sanitizer gels are being affected by the flood of people willing to buy one. In oneHOWTO we propose an alternative, why not make your own disinfectant gel? Here you have a very simple recipe with which you will be able to make homemade hand sanitizer in just 4 steps. Here are the ingredients you need:
- 8 tablespoons aloe vera
- 90 milliliters of isopropyl alcohol with a minimum concentration of 70%
- 15 drops tea tree oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of your preferred essential oil (it is to add smell to the mixture so it is an optional step)
Its preparation is very easy, just follow these simple steps:
- Put the aloe vera in a glass container and add the 90 milliliters of alcohol (about 6 tablespoons approximately).
- Add the essential oils, no matter in what order you do it.
- Gently stir the mixture, without stirring.
- Pour the mixture into a bottle with a dispenser and you can take it in your bag or backpack anywhere.
Now, if you want to make the disinfectant of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and glycerin recommended by the World Health Organization, do not forget to visit this other article.
How to disinfect hands well
To disinfect your hands, you can resort to washing with soap and water or applying an alcoholic solution such as antiseptic gels or hand sanitizers.
Hand washing is essential in the prevention of infections, including those caused by the coronavirus. Using disinfectant gels is not a bad option if we are away from home, but if you have the opportunity to wash your hands, leave the hydroalcoholic gels as a complement to hand washing, since these do not remove dirt, they only disinfect.
When is it advisable to wash your hands? It is true that, these days, we have all increased the frequency of hand washing, but there are certain times when it is almost mandatory to wash your hands. These are the most important:
- After sneezing, coughing or blowing mucus.
- If you are less than a meter away from someone who has coughed, sneezed or blown snot.
- After using the bathroom.
- After using public transport or coming from the street.
- Before eating.
In we also want to show you a step by step on how to wash your hands correctly so that they are well disinfected. Notes!
- Rinse your hands and apply a sufficient amount of your usual soap.
- Rub your palms for at least 5 seconds.
- Place your right hand on top of your left hand by interlacing your fingers. Rub the back on the left with the palm on the right. Do the same with the other hand.
- Join the palms, intertwine the fingers and rub.
- Take the thumb of one hand with the palm of the opposite hand and rub in circular motions. Repeat on the other hand, and then do the same operation on each finger.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly.
- Dry with a disposable or single-use towel.
In addition, you may also be interested in this article on How to Make Homemade Disinfectant to Keep Bacteria at Bay Throughout Your Home.
