Given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO strongly advises thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, alongside the use of sanitizers and masks. However, what can you do when these items have become significantly more expensive or are simply unavailable for purchase? There is a solution! You can create them yourself, and today in the magazine “GoSeekNest” I will explain how.
Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipes and Mask Production
All necessary components are available at pharmacies for a reasonable price, and the resulting products will be just as effective as store-bought alternatives.
Sanitizers: Usage Tips and Preparation Guidelines
Creating a hand sanitizer and medical mask at home?© Healthline / Twitter
Before preparing a sanitizer at home, keep in mind that it will only be effective if it contains 60–90% alcohol. Additionally, the product will not work well on heavily soiled or greasy hands. These must first be washed and degreased. That is why washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is considered safe and proper. This method protects against the virus more effectively than using a sanitizer.
If water is unavailable, a sanitizer proves useful. Carry it with you when going outside, to work, to the store, and so on. Apply 3 ml of the solution to your hands, ensuring complete coverage, and rub it into the skin for at least 30 seconds. Pay extra attention to the area under the nails, as dirt accumulates there and the virus can survive. To prevent dryness from frequent sanitizer use, apply a moisturizer. And remember: sanitizers are toxic, so keep them away from small children.
Recipe 1
Ingredients:
- medical alcohol 90% – 50 ml;
- glycerin – 30 ml;
- essential oil (orange, grapefruit, mint, lemon, vanilla) – 5 drops.
Preparation method:
- Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Pour into a bottle for convenience. Alcohol eliminates all germs, glycerin softens the hands, and the essential oil masks any unpleasant odor, so you can choose it according to your preference.
Recipe 2
Ingredient list:
- alcohol tincture / chamomile or calendula tincture – 50 ml;
- glycerin – 30 ml;
- water – 50 ml;
- lemon essential oil – 5 drops.
Preparation:
- Mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour the solution into a bottle. The alcohol tincture disinfects hands, glycerin prevents tightness and dryness, and the essential oil provides a pleasant fragrance.
Recipe 3
What you need:
- alcohol tincture (calendula, chamomile) – 50 ml;
- aloe vera gel – 1 tbsp. l .;
- tea tree essential oil – 7 drops.
How to prepare:
- Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Pour into a bottle. Alcohol and tea tree oil act as disinfectants, while aloe vera prevents hand dryness.
Recipe 4
What you need:
- ethyl alcohol 60% – 830 ml (or isopropyl alcohol at least 60% – 750 ml);
- hydrogen peroxide – 40 ml;
- glycerin – 15 ml;
- distilled or cooled boiled water.
How to do:
- Pour alcohol into a bowl, then add hydrogen peroxide and glycerin.
- Dilute the solution with distilled water. Close the lid to prevent the sanitizer from evaporating.
- Mix thoroughly and bottle. Use as needed.
Recipe 5
Ingredients:
- alcohol 60–90% – 100 ml;
- chlorhexidine 0.05% – 30 ml;
- glycerin – 10 ml.
Preparation:
- Combine all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a convenient container with a dispenser and use.
Recipe 6
Ingredient list:
- witch hazel – 1.5 tsp;
- pure aloe vera gel – 1 cup;
- tea tree oil – 30 drops;
- lavender or peppermint essential oil – 5 drops.
Preparation method:
- Combine aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and tea tree oil.
- Add essential oil drop by drop, stirring constantly until the sanitizer has a pleasant scent.
- Pour the solution into a bottle with a dispenser. This sanitizer does not contain alcohol, but witch hazel serves as an excellent disinfectant, and tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic.
How to Make a Mask Yourself
Creating a hand sanitizer and medical mask at home?
Wearing a medical mask is recommended for those who come into contact with sick individuals, show signs of a respiratory illness (especially a cough), or visit public places (for prevention and protection). It should fit snugly over the chin, mouth, and nose. Change the mask every 3–4 hours. Homemade sewn masks can be reused after washing and ironing at the highest temperature.
- Gauze-Cotton Pad
What you need:
- bandage or gauze;
- cotton wool;
- thread, needle, scissors;
- essential oils (optional).
How to do:
- Cut 80 cm of bandage, fold it four times, and sew along the edges.
- Make 4 ties from the bandage and sew them to the mask. This is the simplest option.
- For more reliable protection, place a layer of cotton wool 14 cm long inside the bandage.
- Some doctors also recommend applying a few drops of pine, juniper, tea tree, or fir essential oil to the dressing. However, this is optional.
- You can wash the mask after removing the cotton wool. Iron before reuse.
Video tutorial for making cotton-gauze dressings:
© How to do it yourself / Magazine / YouTube
- Fabric Mask
Materials:
- linen or thick cotton – 45×45 cm;
- elastic band – 2 pieces, 18 cm each;
- scissors, threads, needle.
How to sew:
- Take a square piece of fabric. Fold it in half and align the edges.
- Fold and sew the edges where the elastic bands will be inserted, either by hand or with a machine.
- Thread the elastic bands through. Done!
You can watch the video tutorial here:
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© rieaccordion / Instagram
- Mask with Filter
For this, you need the same materials as for the fabric dressing, plus a non-woven material for the filter. This can be found online or at a sewing store. The filter provides better protection against pathogens. Simply place it between the layers of fabric while sewing the mask. By the way, the filter can be made removable by leaving openings on the inside of the dressing so it can be taken out and replaced.
More details in this video:
© Sewing Therapy / YouTube
- Paper Mask
What you need:
- paper towels or napkins;
- elastic bands – 2 pieces;
- stapler.
Preparation method:
- Fold a paper towel or napkin into an accordion shape.
- Tuck the edges, place the elastic bands over them, and secure with a stapler.
- Keep in mind that this mask is the least reliable. It becomes soaked quickly, so it is not recommended to wear it for more than 30 minutes.
Video tutorial here:
© The Ideal Mobile / YouTube
Take care of yourself and stay healthy!
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