How can I make my own foaming hand sanitizer? I use a Germ X brand I love, but the main ingredient is benzalkonium Chloride,.13 %. There are other ingredients, which may be the foaming properties, cetrimonium chloride, diglycerol, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, fragrance, glycerin, hydrochloric acid, and then some other things that are unpronounceable.
I have tried using a very small amount of dishwashing liquid and castile soap with at least 60% alcohol. No foam. I have added coconut oil, water, and even glycerin to other batches, still no foam. Finally, I added a few squirts more of dishwashing liquid, voila! It foamed beautifully, but what I made was not sanitizer, but soap. It had to be rinsed.
I should note I am simply refilling this Germ X foaming container. I've made foaming hand soaps for years, but alas, these have to be rinsed. I want a no-rinse option to use as sanitizer. Any ideas? I am guessing this product needs a surfactant that doesn't need to be rinsed like soap. I hate to keep paying for a new bottle of Germ X. This foaming stuff is great, it doesn't burn my hands, packs in bags without leaking and is great for my daycare outings. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
By missy
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The alcohol in hand sanitizer evaporates, that's why no rinsing is needed. Try using alcohol in your mixtures and see what happens. Try adding a bit of glycerin as well.
Yes, as I stated, I used at least 60% alcohol and also glycerin. They don't foam and am wondering what the "secret" ingredient is to make it foam--am not a chemist, but I'm guessing it's a surfactant of sorts.
The foam isn't in the product, it's the pump on foaming hand soap that makes the foam
Try using shower gel or handwash gel with at least 91per cent isopropyl alcohol 2 parts alcohol to one part shower gel
Try no rinse shampoo instead of the soap, and use the same pump. Let me know how it goes.
Any recipe I have found calls for alcohol also, they state you can substitute vodka, perhaps it would not be so hard on your hands. Sounds like fun using it anyway. Just had to let you know if you hadn't already!
Do NOT substitute vodka for the alcohol. 100 proof vodka is only 50% alcohol
Once you add other ingredients you would be lucky to have 35 to 40% alcohol. 60% is the minimum..that is 120 proof alcohol in order to kill viruses and bacteria.
You can use 190 proof. I use 197 proof Everv Clear with minimal additions of glycerine, aloe, hydrogen peroxide, vitamin E, distilled water and pure pharmaceutical grade essential oils. Mine is a minium 75%.
99 or 91 percent isopropyl alcohol is a bit rougher on the hands than grain alcohol and the smell is much stronger. Adding the glycerine requires the use of some distilled water as It is soluble in water. Excess will precipitate out in a white plastic like mass at the bottom that can be filtered out.
But no. You cannot sub 80 or 100 proof vodka for the 99 or 91 percent alcohol if you want it to actually sanitize.
That for the well stated clarification. This post was originally published in 2011 so people were not as worried as they are now.
Stay safe and well, everyone.
Yes--this works! Thank you! I did however use about a tablespoon or so of rubbing alcohol and just a squirt of soap with the rest filtered water.
I did go ahead and add a few drops of glycerin, olive oil and peppermint extract to the bottle. I shook it, and it still foams just fine. Thank you! No more buying expensive refills!
What was your official recipe? I have this problem and I'd prefer a home made one thank you
Alix
Beware: According to the CDC all hand sanitizers, store bought or home made, must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective in sanitizing your hands of bacteria and viruses.
DO NOT ADD WATER!!! If you only use a small amount of alcohol, and then add water, you might as well not use anything at all. The water dilutes the alcohol to WAY below the required 70%. There is no need to add any water if using something like everclear, as ALL alcohol already has a bit of water in it.
I have a concern about this "recipe" with a small amount of alcohol. To be effective, hand sanitizer needs to be 60% alcohol according to published health studies. This recipe would not completely sanitize. This is not to say that it might not be helpful to clean with as opposed to having nothing at all.
The best recipe I know of for hand sanitizer (non-foaming) is 2 parts alcohol to 1 part aloe gel. In other words add 2 cups of alcohol to 1 cup of aloe gel. This will give you a thin mixture that is 66% alcohol and effective (according to the CDC) at sanitizing germs and bacteria. And the aloe gel helps to prevent the alcohol from drying your skin so severely.
Be safe and healthy!
Be sure you are using the 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol or the alcohol content won't be that high. Most stores carry only the 70% alcohol, so the mixture would only be about 48% alcohol.
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