DIY: Hand sanitizer

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hand sanitizer continues to be in high demand during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

While health experts said the best way to stop the spread of germs is by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, when it isn't possible alcohol-based solutions are a good alternative.

But what should you do when those aren't available? Experts said making your own hand sanitizer is possible. 

"Homemade hand sanitizers are just as effective as what you buy as long as you use the right percentage of alcohol," CBS News contributor Dr. David Agus told CBS MoneyWatch. "This is a good way to get around people price-gouging for Purell." 

Here's a list of required ingredients to make your own hand sanitizer:

• 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol 
• 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
• 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Funnel
• Two-ounce spray bottle or liquid soap container
• Masking tape and pen or marker for labeling the container (or adhesive labels)

Directions: Pour the alcohol and aloe vera in a bowl and stir until blended. Add several drops of essential oil and stir to help mask the smell of alcohol. Use the funnel to pour the eight ounce mixture into containers, then affix the strips of marked masking tape (or adhesive labels) to identify the bottles' contents.

Hand sanitizer doesn't kill all viruses, but it is effective against the coronavirus, Dr. Agus explained. The virus is protected by a shell, called an "envelope glycoprotein," which the alcohol scrambles. "When you take away the protective part of the virus, it dies pretty quickly," he said.

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