If you can't find any hand sanitizer in the stores

[PatSeg]

check your cabinets, you might have the ingredients at home. It is very simple to make your own and maybe make some for friends as well. If you don't have any aloe vera gel, I think you might be able to use hair gel.

[evertonfc]

1. or soap and water

[lark]

2. That's what we have to rely on.

I went to 6 stores Wed. and none of them had Isopropyl Alcohol, hand disinfectants, or toilet paper. Today Publix got in TP and kleenex, so we are good with that, but there's still no alcohol available, not even on Amazon. Amazon has been out of TP since Wed. when it showed in stock, but it got cancelled later that day. So hubby and I are using soap and water and scrubbing our hands. I'm allergic to bleach, but he is considering using that. My BFF has extra alcohol which I'm sure she would bring to me if needed, but yes I do wish I had it.

[mucifer]

4. You can spray surfaces with 3% hydrogen peroxide. I was able to find that. But, it has

to dry for a few minutes before you wipe it and it has to be in a dark container. It is sensitive to light. I just put a spray top from another bottle on the hydrogen peroxide bottle. CDC says it does kill the virus if its on there for a few minutes before you wipe it.

[cstanleytech]

14. There is also white vinegar you can use.

Not as good as bleach of course but for those that cannot deal with the odor of bleach its a viable alternative just never ever mix it with bleach.
In fact I would not advise anyone mixing anything with bleach without first investigating what it can lead to as some of the things are deadly toxic.

[2naSalit]

15. A capful (about a tsp.) of bleach in a galoon of water

is what is used in commercial kitchens and restaurants.

I got the last gallon of white vinegar in the store yesterday and I had to crawl in to the back of the lower shelf to get it too.

We have well and septic here so bleach is to be avoided unless used in solution seriously diluted.

[PatSeg]

6. I have quite a few bottles of Isopropyl Alcohol

because I used it in some homemade products that I make like insect repellent. I suppose if you're desperate, you could try vodka, but that seems like such a waste!

Bleach can be a bit harsh and I get a respiratory reaction to it. It appears you can also use hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant though.

"Hydrogen peroxide is considered an environmentally safe alternative to chlorine-based bleaches as it breaks down into water and oxygen. Commercially available 3% hydrogen peroxide is considered a stable and effective disinfectant by the CDC when used on inanimate objects."

https://cleaningbusinesstoday.com/blog/hydrogen-peroxide-vinegar-a-disinfecting-duo/

[cstanleytech]

17. Atleast one of the vodka makers has said that is unlikely to work as the vodka they and most other

makers sale is diluted with a significant amount of water.

[PatSeg]

20. Yeah

I guess you'll just have to drink it instead! I figured the alcohol content wasn't high enough.

[PatSeg]

3. That's what I use

I have rarely ever used hand sanitizer, but for people who go out into the real world, it is probably handy to have a small bottle of sanitizer in their purse or pocket. They might not have access to soap and water all time, like while riding in public transportation.

[Maraya1969]

5. I have just put straight rubbing alcohol into little bottles that were laying around.

When I was in Portugal last year at an eco resort; at the front of the buffet line before you picked up your plates was were little bottles of alcohol. You just spritz some on your hands and voila!

[PatSeg]

8. You could even dilute it with a little water

if the straight alcohol is too harsh on your hands. I like the idea of using little spray bottles and you could add an essential oil to make it smell better.

[Hotler]

7. If you can't find isopropyl alcohol, EverClear is 95%. get it at the liquor store. nt

a

[northoftheborder]

9. Soap is supposed to be as good, if thorough.

[PatSeg]

11. Oh yes

In many respects, soap and water are better, as hand sanitizers make the skin more permeable and thus more susceptible to germs and bacteria and toxins. But when you are out shopping, working, taking public transportation, etc., you can't carry a sink and soap with you. Having a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you would be very helpful. When you are at home, soap and water should be satisfactory, as well as preferable.

[cab67]

10. you can also use glycerin

[PatSeg]

12. Oh yes, I hadn't thought of that

and it probably would be a lot less harsh on the skin than alcohol.

[LisaL]

22. And will be totally useless if you use it instead of alcohol.

[cstanleytech]

13. Problem I read with this is if you get the proportion wrong it can cause problems.

To much alcohol and it can cause your skin to bleed if you use it to much and to little and its not nearly as effective as the real stuff.
Mind you that is not to say it cannot help in a pinch but I would only use it in a real emergency and I would probably use soap and water instead if I have access to it.

[PatSeg]

16. It appears that you can use glycerin

in the place of alcohol. It is considered an effective disinfectant without being harmful to the skin. Excessive use of alcohol degrades the skin, making it more permeable and thus more susceptible to germs and bacteria and toxins etc. Whereas Vegetable glycerin deprives bacteria and spores of moisture to dehydrate and render them sterile, without negatively affecting your skin.

The reason to look for reasonable alternatives is that so many retailers are sold out on hand sanitizers. Also commercial products have added chemicals that some people might have a reaction to.

Meanwhile, whenever possible soap and water is probably your best bet, but if you have to be out in public, it is good to have something you can carry in your pocket.

[cab67]

19. You can't use glycerin as a disinfectant for these purposes.

You can, however, use it in place of aloe.

[LisaL]

21. Yep. Alcohol is what killing the virus.

Glycerin won't kill the virus.

[LisaL]

23. It renders alcohol less effective against bacteria.

Don't make hand sanitzer with glycerin instead of alcohol.
"Glycerol significantly decreases the three hour efficacy of alcohol-based surgical hand rubs."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23433581

[PatSeg]

24. Yes, I had read that

I was talking about using glycerin instead of alcohol for people who are sensitive to alcohol-based hand rubs.

Meanwhile, I checked out the ingredients in Purell and other commercial hand sanitizers and they include glycerin. Purell: "Besides ethyl alcohol, it contains water, isopropyl alcohol, glycerin, carbomer, fragrance, aminomethyl propanol, propylene glycol, isopropyl myristate, and tocopheryl acetate." (From Wikipedia)

If glycerin or glycerol makes a hand sanitizer less effective, then maybe the homemade versions with just aloe and alcohol might be more effective than the store bought versions.