As you’ve no doubt experienced, going to the store and buying traditional hand sanitizer is almost next to impossible right now. This is because the whole supply chain is stretched thin. Everyone thinks about the alcohol but they also have problems sourcing the bottles, pumps, the chemicals that create the gel and so forth plus just an unbelievable level of demand globally that nobody expected.
Yes, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is still the best thing you can do. When you are out and about, that’s not always possible. For example, if you get in the car after pumping gas, going to work, getting groceries etc.
You can make your own hand sanitizer but you need to follow proper guidelines and most people refer to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidance on making hand sanitizer with glyercerine and/or the CDC guidance. Bottom line is you need a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
Enter The Youtube Videos
A number of people have produced some great videos on what to make and I’m only listing videos from folks with chemistry or biomedical/healthcare knowledge. Always look at the ratings and read comments before you trust anything plus remember that you need at least 60% alcohol and not some weird home brew concoction that one would expect to see at Halloween.
Finding Bottles / Containers
Finding Glycerine
The Alcohol
You will need to hunt for your isopropyl or ethanol. It is often out of stock on Amazon and other online sellers as well as local stores. So, do your digging. Do not use methanol, or wood alcohol. It is toxic – you need isopropyl or ethanol or some variation of those names – isopropanol, distilled alcohol, denatured alcohol, etc.
Other Sources
A lot of distilleries are making and selling hand sanitizer under special approvals from governors and other bodies to make an otherwise regulated product in these special times. Check out your local distilleries and see if they are doing anything and help support them while they support you as well. Journeyman Distillery is one example and I did a post about them.
Conclusion
I hope this helps you and your family to stay healthy and safe.
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Preparedness Vendors
There are a number of businesses selling food that can be stored long term, survival kits and more. In general, preparedness vendors are getting a ton of orders and have backorders of 6-10 weeks so if you are concerned, order now vs. when you are in real need – be prepared. I’d avoid Amazon – those third-party sellers are gouging and also ripping people off. That happened to me already! Instead, check out these reputable vendors directly:
- Augason Farms – Food, Water, Supplies – have stopped taking food orders right now they are so buried but are taking orders for other items
- BePrepared.com / Emergency Essentials – Food, Water, kits and Gear
- Mira Safety – these folks specialize in military/tactical gas masks and personal protective equipment
- Survival Frog – Food, Water. Kits, Gear
- Uncharted Supply Co – Food, Water, Kits and Gear
- Valley Food Storage – Food – shipping partial orders as stuff becomes available
- Wise Food Storage – Food including large family packs