Make your own antiseptic gel

In times of confinement, we are looking for activities ;) Inventories of antiseptic gel are at their lowest in the stores that are still open.

Why not try making your own at home? There are several recipes circulating for self-sufficiency or even leaving some as gifts for friends on their front steps!

For the gel to be effective, Health Canada requires that it be made with alcohol. It has been used since ancient times as a powerful disinfectant that kills 99% of bacteria and viruses.

A popular formula is to use these simple ingredients and follow the directions.

Ingredients needed:

• 85 ml of rubbing alcohol (available in supermarkets)

• 0.5 g of Xanthan gum

• 5 ml of aloe (to soften the skin vs. alcohol which dries out)

• 5 ml of sunflower oil

• 1 ml of tea tree essential oil

• 1 ml of eucalyptus or lavender essential oil

Instructions for use :

• Pour the alcohol into a bowl and sprinkle the xanthan gum over it.
• Mix to remove lumps.
• Pour in the aloe, mix again.
• Add the sunflower oil and essential oils, mix one last time.
• Pour the product into a previously disinfected bottle of your choice.

Tips and tricks.

Place your bottles in a cool place for 72 hours before using your antiseptic gel.

If bacteria are present in the container, this is the time needed to destroy them.

The solution can be stored for three months. Discard after this period.

It takes 20 seconds to kill bacteria.

In any case, nothing beats a proper hand cleaning of at least thirty seconds, with soap and water.