Using 99.9% Ethyl Alcohol for Hand Sanitizer Gel and Dilution
Question
Can [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/706-alcohol-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AE%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C.html:282qvjyy]Ethyl Alcohol[/url:282qvjyy] (99.9%) be used to make hand sanitizer gel?
If yes, does it need to be diluted to 70% first?
Answer
Using Ethyl Alcohol for Hand Sanitizer Gel
Yes, 99.9% Ethyl Alcohol can be used to make hand sanitizer gel. However, it is crucial to dilute it to an effective concentration.
- Optimal Concentration: The most effective concentration of alcohol for killing germs, including viruses and bacteria, is generally considered to be between 60% and 80% alcohol by volume. A concentration of around 70% is widely recommended by health authorities.
- Why Dilute? Using 99.9% alcohol directly is less effective than a diluted solution. Water plays a vital role in the disinfection process by helping the alcohol penetrate the cell walls of microorganisms. Without water, the alcohol can evaporate too quickly or simply coagulate the outer proteins of the microbe, preventing it from effectively killing the organism.
Therefore, you should dilute the 99.9% Ethyl Alcohol to approximately 70% concentration when making hand sanitizer gel. You can use distilled water or purified water for dilution.
Relevant products include:
- Ethyl Alcohol (99.9% , 200 Proof, Research/Perfumer Grade)
- Ethyl Alcohol (96% , Perfumer Grade, Low-Odor)
