Making disinfectant yourself - is it possible?

Since Corona, supply shortages of disposable gloves, mouth-nose protection and disinfectants are no longer a novelty.

As a rule, however, this bottleneck can be quickly compensated. But as a precaution, more and more people are considering whether it is worth making disinfectants themselves.

But is that even possible? And if so – how?

Components / ingredients of disinfectant

The following ingredients are included in disinfectants, but not every ingredient is mandatory…

Ethanol

Ethanol is a colorless, highly flammable alcohol. This is used in many disinfectants as an active ingredient against bacteria and viruses. Ethanol is the basis of many disinfectants.

Oils

Essential oils, optimally from an all-natural source, have antibacterial and antivirulent effects in addition to ethanol. Especially common are lemon, lavender and tea tree oils. These soothe the skin, calm blood circulation and relax the hands.

Glycerine

Glycerin is an ingredient that is not necessarily present in every disinfectant. The sugar alcohol is mainly used as a moisturizer.

Hydrogen peroxide

This ingredient has a disinfectant, antibacterial effect and eradicates odors. It is particularly well known as a bleaching agent in hair dyes, but it is also used as an active ingredient for surface disinfection, in cleaning products and mouthwashes.

Surfactants

These are necessary for disinfectants because they reduce surface tension. This allows liquids to mix that would otherwise not mix, such as water and oil.

Make disinfectant yourself according to WHO recommendation

To make a disinfectant as recommended by the WHO, you will first need the following ingredients:

830 ml ethanol (96 percent). Alternatively, you can also use 750 ml isopropanol.
45 ml hydrogen peroxide (3 %)
15 ml glycerin (98 %)
110 ml distilled or boiled and then cooled water

In addition, you should have a boiled or sterile plastic or glass bottle with a screw cap ready.

And this is how you prepare the disinfectant:

Carefully fill the ingredients into the bottle. A funnel can be helpful for this.
Mix the chemicals. To do this, you can shake the sealed bottle.
Store the liquid in a cool, dry place and wait 72 hours before first use. This ensures that any germs that may still have been in the bottle are killed by then.

Making disinfectant – WHO guidance

Regarding the home-made disinfectant, the WHO gives a few hints, which we would like to pass on to you, of course:

Apply the disinfectant only externally and make sure that your eyes do not have any contact with the preparation.
Keep the homemade disinfectant out of reach of children.
Keep the disinfectant away from heat and flames as it is highly flammable.

How dangerous is the handling of glycerine and hydrogen peroxide?

In fact, the handling of hydrogen peroxide is not without danger. According to the legal hazard statements H302 and H332 it is harmful if swallowed or inhaled and may cause (H318) serious eye damage.

Ideally, you should wear protective clothing, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling hydrogen peroxide. In case of contact with the eyes, the chemical must be rinsed out gently for several minutes. If you swallow it by mistake, it is recommended to call a doctor immediately.

Glycerol is a viscous solution that should be pipetted in the best case. If this is done properly, there is nothing to worry about. Glycerol must also be rinsed out thoroughly in case of eye contact. In case of ingestion, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and consult a doctor if you feel unwell.

Advantages of self-mixed disinfectant

Homemade disinfectant offers a few advantages. In the case of home-made disinfectant, all the ingredients have first passed through your hands before they end up in the preparation. That way, you can be sure there’s nothing in your disinfectant that you might prefer not to put on your skin. Also, of course, you can always recreate your own disinfectant and add essential oils you like.

Disadvantages of self-mixed disinfectant

If you’re not a DIY fan, you’ll probably find it a chore to mix the hygiene product yourself. This is because disinfectants manufactured under conditions and controls are not only easy to purchase in pharmacies, drugstores or online, but are also usually more effective. Also, professionally manufactured products incorporate ingredients that ensure the disinfectant is absorbed more quickly. Even disinfectants produced get a point deduction in terms of suitability for everyday use.

Make disinfectant yourself only in an emergency

We at WIESENBERG produce our disinfectant under the strictest conditions and with the highest standards for ourselves. With WIESENBERG disinfectant you are on the safe side, as we guarantee high effectiveness, gentle absorption into the skin and even a wonderful feel-good factor. Just visit our online store and try our product.