Safe use of hand sanitizer is predicated on having the right kind of hand sanitizer available. Although many things we can make ourselves at home, hand sanitizer for COVID-19 isn’t something DIYers should try to work out. Here’s why.
Error, Compromises, and Alternative Ingredients
A lot of recipes for hand sanitizer wouldn’t meet the standard for hand sanitizers in Canada. They’re often using natural ingredients, substitutes, and alternatives that don’t fit the base requirements for what works against COVID-19.
There’s a reason, for example, a product like Divine Essence Hand Sanitizer, which a Health Canada approved hand sanitizer, it’s ingredients include 17 essential oils; still it’s main ingredients alcohol goes beyond the minimum concentration of alcohol. Therefore, we know that every sanitizer should have at least 60% alcohol. This is the key. Concentrations of alcohol 60% and above are regulated – heavily so.
The Dangers of Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Some households, stores, and pharmacies have taken it upon themselves to manufacture their own sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The thing is, if made incorrectly, not only could sanitizer be ineffective but it can be dangerous.
Some reports have been published detailing skin burns from homemade hand sanitizer. Furthermore, adding alcohol to non-alcohol hand sanitizer isn’t going to produce an effective hand sanitizer, either. Homemade disinfectant sprays and wipes don’t work in hand sanitization.
Some of people may think they have to make hand sanitizer because there is a supply shortage. That’s partial true in pandemic. However, you can still find high-quality hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada with aloe and numerous brands, from Divine Essence to others. Lierre.ca, a professional clinic supplies distributor in Quebec offers hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, face masks and other PPE readily to Canadians everywhere and they will be delivered right to your front door.
How to Use Hand Sanitizer to Make it Work Best
Hand sanitizer is great for when you’re walking through a grocery store, in a healthcare environment, and when soap and water isn’t available. Therefore, use it often as you can. Take enough hand sanitizer to fill roughly a quarter’s size. Rub it all over the hands including between the fingers and on the back of your hands. You then want to let it dry. No wiping it down or rinsing your hands after. For hand sanitizer to work, you want to rub it in and provide it dry.
As long as your hand sanitizer contains alcohol, it should work. The only time it won’t are if your hands are excessively dirty, greasy, or grimy. In that case, you’re better off with a thorough washing over the hands with soap and water.
For more information on where to find hand sanitizer in Canada, visit Lierre.ca. Our Montreal warehouse is fully stocked and ready to send out alcohol-based COVID-19 sanitizer to our customers Canada-wide. Don’t chance it – don’t make your own. Canada Public Health doesn’t recommend it. The CDC doesn’t recommend it. Some things you can DIY. Hand sanitizer, unfortunately, can’t. Visit Lierre.ca to find quality-made and Health Canada approved hand sanitizer.