Brief Report: DIY COVID-19 Disinfectant Wipes, Spray and Gel

• Huggies (natural care baby) wipes [(56 wipes/package) Note:(i) these have less water than other wipes; (ii) many other DIY sites use paper towels but baby wipes just seemed to be far superior and much more convenient];
• Isopropyl alcohol (99.5%);
• Distilled water (DO NOT USE tap water);
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%).

• Open container, it is simpler to just use the container these wipes are stored in, self-sealing and very convenient.
• Mix together (mix together using either a bowl and a whisk or a beaker on the stirring plate adding reagents measured with graduated cylinders) to give a final volume of 1-cup (US): 179 mL isopropyl alcohol (99.5%), 48 mL of distilled water, and 10 mL hydrogen peroxide (3% vol/vol) = 237 mL (1-cup);
• Pour solution into baby wipes container, close the lid and they will be ready to use in 2-3 days (hydrogen peroxide will inactivate any bacterial spores or other toxins within the reagents/package).

Comments: These wipes are very easy to make and they work well on countertops and other physical areas of your house, car, and other places. if you need fragrance, you can always add a few drops of some essential oil (add during mixing before adding everything to wipes container). The wipes remain wet if the container stays closed.

Hand Sanitizer Spray with 75% isopropyl alcohol, 4% glycerol, and 0.12% hydrogen peroxide:

Supplies/Reagents:

• Two amber 4 fluid ounce (US) spray bottles [which means you can add 118 mL in each bottle];
• Isopropyl alcohol (99.5%);
• Distilled water (DO NOT USE tap water);
• Glycerol (glycerin);
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%).

Instructions:

• Mix together (as described above) to give a final volume of 245 mL: 185 mL isopropyl alcohol (99.5%), 40 mL of distilled water, 10 mL glycerol, and 10 mL hydrogen peroxide (3% vol/vol).
• Pour into container, close and ready to use in 2-3 days (hydrogen peroxide is being used to inactivate any bacterial spores or other toxins within the solution/package).

Comments: Making a hand sanitizer spray solution is very easy. If needed, one can easily add a fragrance by using a few drops of an essential oil. Glycerol (glycerin) is used as an emollient to keep your skin from drying out and getting dermatitis when exposed to high concentrations of alcohol. I just read that the WHO recommends 1.45% glycerol, which is lower than what I use. However, this is easy to correct in future formulations. There is some speculation that the glycerol may interfere with the antimicrobial effect of alcohol but that’s not fully substantiated. Additionally, other DIY recipes may substitute aloe vera in place of glycerin.

Hand Sanitizer Gel Solution with 65% isopropyl alcohol, 0.7% glycerol, and 0.3% hydrogen peroxide:

Supplies/Reagents:

• 1 clear or blue 8/8.5 fluid ounce (US) bottle [ which allows for up to 237 mL in bottle];
• Isopropyl alcohol (99.5%);
• Distilled water (DO NOT USE tap water);
• Glycerol (glycerin) (99%);
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%);
• Carbomer 940/980;
• Triethanolamine (99%).

Instructions:

•  Three-part mixing scheme to prepare a gel-forming solution, final volume = 200 mL. Part 1, add 0.6 gm Carbomer 940/980 (0.3% wt/vol) through a fine grate mesh over several minutes to a stirring solution of water (59 mL), hydrogen peroxide (8 mL), and glycerol (1.5 mL). After adding the Carbomer 940/980 to this aqueous mixture, let it stir for at least 15-20 min. Hopefully, this will give a cloudy-mixture but a somewhat particulate-free solution; if not, keep stirring.
• Part 2, Slowly add over 5-15 min, 131 mL isoproyl alcohol (99.5%) to the Carbomer-water-glycerol-hydrogen peroxide mixture. As you dilute out the mixture with alcohol, the solution may clear somewhat or it may stay opaque. Let it stir until the residual flakes of Carbomer have dissolved. The pH should be between five and six, and never exceed a pH of eight.
• Part 3, at this point, you are ready to add triethanolamine (99%) (to raise the pH slightly); start by adding 0.5 mL (of the calculated 1 mL final volume). A gel will form immediately and the solution may also clarify, keep stirring it for a few minutes. You started with 200 mL of solution, formation of the gel has reduced the final volume. Recheck the pH to make sure it’s below pH 8.
• Pour into container, close and ready to use in 2-3 days (hydrogen peroxide will inactivate any bacterial spores or other toxins within the solution/package).
• For further details about the polymerization reaction and DIY using a gel with the Carbomer 940/980-triethanolamine polymer system, please refer to the guidelines as detailed here.

Comments: I have been trying for several months to make a gel with no success. Then I discovered the Carbomer 940/980-triethanolamine polymer system, which gave immediate and some positive results. If the Carbomer 940/980 does not dissolve sufficiently because you added it too fast, did not put it through the wire mesh properly, or you did not allow enough time for it to dissolve; you will end up with a ‘grainy’ but still functional gel. The % alcohol used in the gel will interfere with polymerization, such that I used 65% isopropyl alcohol with success and the current amounts of Carbomer 940/980 and triethanolamine; however, going to 75-80% isopropyl alcohol (or ethanol) would require either another gelling agent or a different amount of Carbomer 940/980-triethanolamine (i.e., further experimentation). Using the same conditions at a higher isopropyl alcohol amount (80%) led to a grainy and less gel-like solution. If you must have a gel it can be done. I would definitely recommend the Carbomer 940/980-triethanolamine polymer system. Practice and more practice makes perfect, well, as perfect as achieving a gel that is clear and without a grainy feeling. It can be done! However, the Hand Sanitizer spray is so easy to prepare.