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Natural Awakenings Northwest Florida

HANDMADE HYGIENE

Jun 01, 2020 03:20PM ● By Brian Mobley

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to linger, the world is perpetually concerned with taking precautions against the virus. While the body’s major defense is the immune system, there are numerous ways to both avoid exposure and destroy the virus before it has a chance to interact with us. Aside from simply washing our hands with soap and water, sanitizers are an effective strategy for disinfecting ourselves and the surfaces in our environment.

Alcohol-Based Solutions

Of all the methods for sanitizing the skin and household surfaces, two substances have the most clinical studies over the course of decades. The first is alcohol (ethanol), which in a concentration of at least 60 percent is the most commonly used sanitizer in disinfecting products. 

Alcohol is actually the best sanitizer against viruses specifically—not because alcohol-free sanitizers don’t work, but because there are plenty of studies showing that a concentration of over 60 percent alcohol is effective against a wide range of viruses and bacteria, while there are few parallel studies of other sanitizing substances (studies of what concentrations are most effective, for example, or whether they work better on bacteria or viruses).

Hydrogen Peroxide 

For anyone who doesn’t want to use an alcohol-based sanitizer (or who can’t find one due to product shortages), the most effective alternative is 3 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration in water. This solution has been clinically shown to be effective at sanitizing surfaces from both viruses and bacteria.

Normally 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is available at any health store, grocery store or pharmacy, but during this pandemic several stores have run out. However it’s possible to make the equivalent at home, using the 35 percent food-grade hydrogen peroxide available at most health stores. To make a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution, use a 1:11 ratio—that is, one part 35 percent hydrogen peroxide to 11 parts water. To make a stronger solution, closer to 6 percent, use a 2:11 ratio. Though it’s possible to go higher, remember that hydrogen peroxide is highly corrosive and reactive with many substances, so it’s best to stay in the lower single digits of concentration.

Colloidal Silver

For an even more effective alternative, try adding colloidal silver to a sanitizer. There is no accepted concentration for disinfecting surfaces with this solution, but there is preliminary evidence that adding a colloidal silver solution of at least 250ppm (250 parts per million) to a sanitizer in a ratio of 1:20, to create an overall 5 percent concentration in the sanitizer, will give it an antimicrobial boost. 

An added bonus is that when the solution dries on a surface, the silver nanoparticles remain to offer lingering effects, while alcohol or hydrogen peroxide evaporates soon after application. 

Essential Oils

Another strategy for boosting the effectiveness of sanitizers, especially alcohol-based ones, is by using essential oils. Many essential oils have been clinically shown to have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties, but some of the most potent are clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, tea tree oil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, peppermint and ginger. 

An especially popular mixture of these is the “thieves” combination: clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary and citrus (usually lemon or orange, added primarily to balance out the scent). The name is a reference from bubonic plague times, when grave robbers purportedly used a similar essential oil combination on their bodies to repel the disease as they looted jewelry and other valuables from the bodies of the recently buried.

Remember that essential oils are chemically classified as alcohols, so they work best when added to alcohol-based sanitizers. Also remember that a little goes a long way with essential oils; the overall concentration in a solution should never be more than 5 percent, and most solutions are effective at as little as 1 percent.

UV Light

For sanitizing personal items like cell phones and wallets, it’s fine to use alcohol-based wipes and sprays, but many people are finding UV light devices to be a convenient alternative. Sunlight contains abundant UVA and UVB light, which can kill microbes given enough exposure time, but a UV sanitizing device uses the less-prevalent UVC light spectrum to destroy microbes on surfaces. While it’s not recommended for sanitizing the skin (it can damage skin cells with prolonged exposure), it’s a great option for smaller devices that are used frequently. UVC lights also work well in home air conditioning systems by disinfecting incoming air after it has passed through the filter. There are myriad options—just google “UV light sanitizer” or “UVC sanitizer” and find the right cost and type for you.

Brian Mobley is the owner of Golden Almond Health Store  located at 339 Racetrack Rd. NW, Ste. 3, Fort Walton Beach, FL. 


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