In a previous post, we pointed out the new realities of working at home. Residents of MorningStar have taken advantage of living in the beautiful, safe surroundings of this planned community and set up home offices and even digital distance-learning for their children.
As social distancing tactics are implemented to reduce the possibility of infection from this virus, the entire family is pretty much stuck at home most days. However, there are still times when someone must venture out to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the bank and other places with a high incidence of human traffic. This is when things can get a little trickier.
Wash Those Hands
Coronaviruses like COVID-19 spread through human contact, and one of the most effective ways to curb its spread is by washing your hands. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to stay protected is to wash your hands for 20 seconds after returning from a public place.
However, if out shopping for food or medicine, this becomes more challenging. A hand sanitizer is the best defense against viruses when you’re out running errands and can’t get to a sink to wash your hands.
According to this article, “If you’re already using a hand sanitizer, make sure it has at least 60% alcohol. There are some hand sanitizers that are alcohol-free, and these won’t be as effective in killing bacteria and viruses. The correct way of using a hand sanitizer is to apply it liberally to your hands and rub them together until the gel effervesces.
“Demand for hand sanitizers has shot through the roof in the wake of the coronavirus, and if you’re running low, you need a Plan B.
This is when you need to take matters into your own hands and make your own!
Here’s How to Make an Effective Hand Sanitizer
This website has published a very simple, but effective way to make your own sanitizer. These are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol. You can find isopropyl alcohol at any drugstore or pharmacy or from online sources.
- 1/3 cup 92% aloe vera gel. You need to mix the isopropyl alcohol with something, because on its own it will burn your hands. The ideal solution is aloe vera gel as it acts as a natural moisturizer.
- 8 – 10 drops of essential oils. If you need to add some fragrance to the mix, pick up a pack of essential oils.
- Bowl and spoon to mix it all together.
- A basic funnel to get your hand sanitizer into a bottle.
- Plastic travel bottles for storing the hand sanitizer. Once you get your hand sanitizer ready, you’ll need bottles to carry it in. You can get a set of 25, 2-ounce bottles for about $16, and they come with a flip top that makes it easy to squeeze out the hand sanitizer. .
- Nitrile gloves.
Before beginning this process, remember that Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable and will burn the skin should it come into direct contact with your hands. This is why, as a general precaution, gloves are recommended.
First, pour the isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel into the bowl. As hand sanitizers need to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective, you should ideally maintain a 2:1 ratio of alcohol to aloe vera gel. So, for every 4 ounces of alcohol you add, you should mix 2 ounces of aloe vera gel.
Secondly, add essential oils to the mix if needed. You don’t necessarily need essential oils, but if you like a particular fragrance, you can add a few drops.
Finally, stir the ingredients together with a spoon and pour them into plastic bottles using a funnel. Viola’ your hand sanitizer is ready to go fight those diabolical germs!
Don’t forget about the home disinfectant, especially if you have children bringing in goodness-knows-what and leaving it on the kitchen counter.
Here is what you need to make this homemade, all-natural disinfectant spray:
- 1/2 Cup White Vinegar
- 1/2 Cup 70% Rubbing Alcohol
- 1 Cup Distilled Water or Reverse Osmosis Water
- 5 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
- Gloves for preparation
- Glass spray bottle
Mix up these ingredients, add them to the glass sprayer bottle and you’re ready to become Captain Germ Fighter!
We’re All in This Together
During these trying times, it’s important for all of us to remain committed to supporting one another. Whether it involves a phone call or text to a neighbor, offering to pick up supplies, all MorningStar residents are one family. If we can help you in any way, click here, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
In the not-so-distance future, these trying times will just be a bad memory. In the meantime, it’s important to remember that “this too shall pass.”
Stay safe.