Teach me homemade Purell recipes?
March 13, 2020 3:36 AM
Assume that I can't get Purell and can't get isoproyl alcohol. What can I use to disinfect things? The more specific the recipe, the better please.
Also, people in my neck of the woods are talking about Everclear, but I would rather not keep booze around the home, at least not in a drinkable form. Perhaps someone knows of a chemical additive that would make it undrinkable? Any consistency of sanitizer would be fine, but I am hoping to be able to make it a goop. but I understand if this is not part of the recipe. Thanks so much knowledgeable people!
Also, people in my neck of the woods are talking about Everclear, but I would rather not keep booze around the home, at least not in a drinkable form. Perhaps someone knows of a chemical additive that would make it undrinkable? Any consistency of sanitizer would be fine, but I am hoping to be able to make it a goop. but I understand if this is not part of the recipe. Thanks so much knowledgeable people!
I mean if I have to go outside, to clean my hands after touching a doorknob (or for that matter, to sanitize a doorknob in my path).
posted by societypages at 3:58 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by societypages at 3:58 AM on March 13, 2020
@wile that recipe is fantastic (thanks!) as long as rubbing alcohol is available but I want to make sure I'm covered if it is hard to get.
posted by societypages at 3:59 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by societypages at 3:59 AM on March 13, 2020
Paper barriers aren’t nothing; in the absence of soap and water I’ve used paper towels as recommended for touching things like doors and carts. After, I reuse them with soapy water to clean up.
posted by tilde at 4:00 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by tilde at 4:00 AM on March 13, 2020
In short, you need something that will let you prepare a gel that is at least 60% alcohol. That’s either isopropyl alcohol or grain alcohol like Everclear. If drinkable alcohol is a trigger for you or someone you live with, and you can’t get isopropyl, then you may have to do without sanitizer, unfortunately.
posted by snowmentality at 4:18 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by snowmentality at 4:18 AM on March 13, 2020
How about antibacterial wipes, like the damp kind that come in a round tub?
Use the kind of paper towel that you can use for wet clean up.
Make the right concentration of bleach solution that they recommend for disinfecting counters in a kitchen that serves food to the public.
Before leaving the house put a dozen folded paper towel into a ziplock baggie and moisten with solution. Don't store them like this as the bleach will cause them to disintegrate soon. Prep them just before going out. You should not use so much solution that they are sopping and the bag is at risk of leaking, but you can always put the bag into a larger ziplock bag if you are concerned about it oozing into the lining of your bag. Bleach disinfectant should be wet enough that the surface is damp when you are done, and then allowed to dry so they should be just wet enough for that, but not any wetter.
More solution can be carried in a small pop bottle. They are very reliable for not leaking and lightweight and inexpensive, and then you can make up a second batch before you go home again, if necessary.
Also, try cozy acrylic winter gloves which are washable and wash them when you get home - you are not worried about Covid-19 getting through a break in your skin so much as getting on your nose and mouth, so you don't need the same all purpose gloves that you would if you were working with staph infections and the like.
posted by Jane the Brown at 4:18 AM on March 13, 2020
Use the kind of paper towel that you can use for wet clean up.
Make the right concentration of bleach solution that they recommend for disinfecting counters in a kitchen that serves food to the public.
Before leaving the house put a dozen folded paper towel into a ziplock baggie and moisten with solution. Don't store them like this as the bleach will cause them to disintegrate soon. Prep them just before going out. You should not use so much solution that they are sopping and the bag is at risk of leaking, but you can always put the bag into a larger ziplock bag if you are concerned about it oozing into the lining of your bag. Bleach disinfectant should be wet enough that the surface is damp when you are done, and then allowed to dry so they should be just wet enough for that, but not any wetter.
More solution can be carried in a small pop bottle. They are very reliable for not leaking and lightweight and inexpensive, and then you can make up a second batch before you go home again, if necessary.
Also, try cozy acrylic winter gloves which are washable and wash them when you get home - you are not worried about Covid-19 getting through a break in your skin so much as getting on your nose and mouth, so you don't need the same all purpose gloves that you would if you were working with staph infections and the like.
posted by Jane the Brown at 4:18 AM on March 13, 2020
The CDC says:
Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Do what the CDC says.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:46 AM on March 13, 2020
Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Do what the CDC says.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:46 AM on March 13, 2020
Yes, you want bleach solution, ideally made with fresh bleach (it starts to lose potency after awhile). Ideal for many hard surfaces.
posted by Knicke at 5:28 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by Knicke at 5:28 AM on March 13, 2020
How about antibacterial wipes, like the damp kind that come in a round tub?
Antibacterial wipes do not work against viruses.
Antibacterial wipes do not work against viruses.
ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES DO NOT WORK AGAINST VIRUSES.
posted by the_blizz at 6:50 AM on March 13, 2020
Antibacterial wipes do not work against viruses.
Antibacterial wipes do not work against viruses.
ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES DO NOT WORK AGAINST VIRUSES.
posted by the_blizz at 6:50 AM on March 13, 2020
the_blizz, both Lysol and Chlorox make what they market as "disinfecting wipes" which claim to kill viruses and bacteria. What source are you pointing to to indicate they are not effective in the current sitaution?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:58 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:58 AM on March 13, 2020
Here's a list of commercially available wipes and sprays that will kill COVID-19: link.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:03 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:03 AM on March 13, 2020
> (or for that matter, to sanitize a doorknob in my path)
Many disinfectants must remain on a surface for 10 minutes or longer to be fully effective. Some pathogens are destroyed or inactivated in less than 1 minute, but others take longer (1, 2, 3). Please make sure you’re using an appropriate procedure before considering any surface sanitized.
posted by mbrubeck at 8:19 AM on March 13, 2020
Many disinfectants must remain on a surface for 10 minutes or longer to be fully effective. Some pathogens are destroyed or inactivated in less than 1 minute, but others take longer (1, 2, 3). Please make sure you’re using an appropriate procedure before considering any surface sanitized.
posted by mbrubeck at 8:19 AM on March 13, 2020
DO NOT USE BLEACH ON YOUR SKIN. If you're disinfecting a surface, household bleach is extremely effective, but from your question you seem to want a hand sanitizer. Bleach will irritate your skin and damage its protective layer.
For your hands, if an alcohol-based sanitizer isn't available, you should probably stick with soap and water. Try to avoid exposures that would make you wash your hands too frequently as that will also irritate your skin and reduce its effectiveness as a barrier.
posted by biogeo at 8:45 AM on March 13, 2020
For your hands, if an alcohol-based sanitizer isn't available, you should probably stick with soap and water. Try to avoid exposures that would make you wash your hands too frequently as that will also irritate your skin and reduce its effectiveness as a barrier.
posted by biogeo at 8:45 AM on March 13, 2020
Some things need to be stated firmly and clearly. Apologies if it feels like e-shouting.
posted by biogeo at 8:47 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by biogeo at 8:47 AM on March 13, 2020
>> Antibacterial wipes do not work against viruses.
Since this seems relevant to this thread... I have a bottle of spray disinfectant that says "99.9% effective against bacteria". I'm guessing then, that it's not effective against viruses??
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 9:16 AM on March 13, 2020
Since this seems relevant to this thread... I have a bottle of spray disinfectant that says "99.9% effective against bacteria". I'm guessing then, that it's not effective against viruses??
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 9:16 AM on March 13, 2020
It means they are not advertising its effectiveness against viruses. It may or may not be. You can look up the active ingredient on the FDA or CDC websites to find out.
posted by biogeo at 9:19 AM on March 13, 2020
posted by biogeo at 9:19 AM on March 13, 2020
Bitrex/ Denatonium benzoate is extraordinarily bitter and used to denature ethanol (render it non-drinkable) without using a posion such as methanol or pyridine.
Commonly used to denature potable ethanol for tax purposes or for hobbyist perfume making.
posted by porpoise at 10:30 AM on March 13, 2020
Commonly used to denature potable ethanol for tax purposes or for hobbyist perfume making.
posted by porpoise at 10:30 AM on March 13, 2020
Can you find aloe vera gel? It's a pretty good carrier for making hand sanitizer, and would certainly make everclear or strong vodka (check the % alcohol, read a reliable recipe) undrinkable by all but a very serious person, but aloe gel is in short supply. Bar soap and liquid hand soap(detergent-based) work well. I don't need the kitchen floor to be sterile; Pine-sol is mildly antiseptic and has detergent; it's fine. I clean the bathroom with very mild bleach because that's how I grew up.
Fingernails harbor germs. Trim your fingernails, use a nailbrush.
My opinion: A reasonably clean home with no sick or at-risk residents mostly needs the people entering it to get clean. Take off your shoes, wash your hands, maybe even change your clothes, wash your hands again. In Hospitals, restaurants, public spaces, standards must be higher.
posted by theora55 at 11:57 AM on March 13, 2020
Fingernails harbor germs. Trim your fingernails, use a nailbrush.
My opinion: A reasonably clean home with no sick or at-risk residents mostly needs the people entering it to get clean. Take off your shoes, wash your hands, maybe even change your clothes, wash your hands again. In Hospitals, restaurants, public spaces, standards must be higher.
posted by theora55 at 11:57 AM on March 13, 2020
I have a bottle of spray disinfectant that says "99.9% effective against bacteria". I'm guessing then, that it's not effective against viruses??
A virus is not a bacterium. They are different kinds of organisms.
Please use soap. Soap is the best thing for this. Everything I have seen says that soap will literally kill the virus. Hand sanitizer will not, and you don't want to bleach your skin.
posted by bile and syntax at 1:14 PM on March 13, 2020
A virus is not a bacterium. They are different kinds of organisms.
Please use soap. Soap is the best thing for this. Everything I have seen says that soap will literally kill the virus. Hand sanitizer will not, and you don't want to bleach your skin.
posted by bile and syntax at 1:14 PM on March 13, 2020
>> The virus is enveloped in a bubble of oily lipid molecules, which falls apart on contact with soap.
Thank you for saying this.
This article should be required reading.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 4:17 PM on March 13, 2020
Thank you for saying this.
This article should be required reading.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 4:17 PM on March 13, 2020
This is all incredibly helpful but also challenging - this sounds like a fake allergy but I'm allergic to bleach.
If I do Everclear with, I don't know a mixture of vodka and some shavings of soap, would that work?
Would the sugar in the vodka be edible by viruses? (sorry, no idea).
Would the soap ruin the brew by creating a residue? What about a little bit of lotion instead? Just some non edible ingredient.
Hey all also, does Lysol kill it? Scrolling through EPA list.
The point is if I'm out of alcohol, other are people probably are too? No point in skipping cleanliness at this early, important phase. I would use this (these) brews on my hands after touching any object outside, or on certain commonly touched objects. The spread is real where I am.
Additional Ask.Me in the works about how to get supermarkets to disinfect their shopping carts! Rated by doctor Oz as dirtier than public toilets, even before the present crisis!
posted by societypages at 4:25 PM on March 13, 2020
If I do Everclear with, I don't know a mixture of vodka and some shavings of soap, would that work?
Would the sugar in the vodka be edible by viruses? (sorry, no idea).
Would the soap ruin the brew by creating a residue? What about a little bit of lotion instead? Just some non edible ingredient.
Hey all also, does Lysol kill it? Scrolling through EPA list.
The point is if I'm out of alcohol, other are people probably are too? No point in skipping cleanliness at this early, important phase. I would use this (these) brews on my hands after touching any object outside, or on certain commonly touched objects. The spread is real where I am.
Additional Ask.Me in the works about how to get supermarkets to disinfect their shopping carts! Rated by doctor Oz as dirtier than public toilets, even before the present crisis!
posted by societypages at 4:25 PM on March 13, 2020
I know this isn't answering your original question, but can you tolerate wearing latex/ nitrile gloves? They come in a variety of colours.
Like, wear them when you're out, peal them off before you touch your own door handle.
I've started keeping some in my car's glove box for using the pump at the gas station.
posted by porpoise at 4:44 PM on March 13, 2020
Like, wear them when you're out, peal them off before you touch your own door handle.
I've started keeping some in my car's glove box for using the pump at the gas station.
posted by porpoise at 4:44 PM on March 13, 2020
WHO also put out a guide recently which includes recipes
posted by lesser weasel at 4:52 PM on March 13, 2020
posted by lesser weasel at 4:52 PM on March 13, 2020
OP, what about OxiClean? It’s oxygen bleach and can also be used to disinfect things and surfaces. And in my area stores anyway, it’s still on the shelves.
posted by Autumnheart at 7:12 PM on March 13, 2020
posted by Autumnheart at 7:12 PM on March 13, 2020
Soap deactivates the virus by breaking down the protective lipid membrane, causing the virus to 'spill its guts', so to speak. Soap and water can soak a hand more easily, quickly, effectively, cheaply and efficiently than an alcohol rub. Use soap wherever possible; bar soap is thought to be more effective than liquid for some reason (lipid profile?), then use alcohol cleaners if there is no soap.
The science of soap – here’s how it kills the coronavirus.
posted by Thella at 4:13 AM on March 14, 2020
The science of soap – here’s how it kills the coronavirus.
posted by Thella at 4:13 AM on March 14, 2020
These Common Household Products Can Destroy the Novel Coronavirus from Consumer Reports.
posted by theora55 at 2:39 PM on March 14, 2020
posted by theora55 at 2:39 PM on March 14, 2020
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posted by Eleven at 3:53 AM on March 13, 2020