Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Hand hygiene has received a lot of attention recently. But what if there is no soap and water nearby? Hand sanitizer can help. Check out this video to learn how to make your own simple homemade hand sanitizer.
Equipment: 450 mL 99% isopropyl alcohol, 9 mL glycerin, 16 mL cold drinking water, 25 mL 3% hydrogen peroxide, bottle, containers with dispensers.
Mix 450 mL 99% isopropyl alcohol, 9 mL glycerin, 16 mL cold drinking water, and 25 mL 3% hydrogen peroxide in a bottle. Mix the resulting solution well and let sit for 72 hours in a cool, dark place. Distribute the sanitizer into convenient containers with dispensers.
This recipe was taken from the official website of the WHO:
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
In order for the sanitizer to be as effective as possible, it must contain at least 60–70% alcohol. This can be either isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. Only at these concentrations and higher can the alcohol destroy the lipid membranes of viruses and microorganisms, killing any pathogenic microorganisms. Strong alcoholic beverages are not suitable for this purpose, as their alcohol concentration is not high enough. Glycerin is added to the antiseptic as a moisturizer, and hydrogen peroxide is needed to destroy the spores of various bacteria that could potentially be in the solution. You can also add 2-3 drops of any essential oil or lemon juice to the mixture, as this will lend the sanitizer a nice aroma without affecting its antimicrobial properties. But exercise caution: the WHO mentions that such fragrances can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The prepared solution needs to sit for a time, as this will allow the hydrogen peroxide to completely destroy any bacterial spores that may be present in the mixture. Apply your sanitizer according to these guidelines: 1) Squeeze out a few drops of the antiseptic and rub your palms and fingers thoroughly. Don’t forget about your fingernails – pathogens can hide under them too! Keep rubbing your hands until they dry. This should take from 15 to 30 seconds. Unfortunately, an antiseptic will not work if your hands are too dirty or oily.To protect yourself as effectively as possible: -Avoid touching your face, mouth and eyes -Wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds -If possible, use a sanitizer or wear gloves.
This recipe was taken from the WHO official website:
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
Safety precautions: Warning! Perform the experiment in a well-ventilated area. Observe safety rules when working with fire: this mixture contains flammable substances.
Hand hygiene has received a lot of attention recently. But what if there is no soap and water nearby? Hand sanitizer can help. Check out this video to learn how to make your own simple homemade hand sanitizer.
Equipment: 450 mL 99% isopropyl alcohol, 9 mL glycerin, 16 mL cold drinking water, 25 mL 3% hydrogen peroxide, bottle, containers with dispensers.
Mix 450 mL 99% isopropyl alcohol, 9 mL glycerin, 16 mL cold drinking water, and 25 mL 3% hydrogen peroxide in a bottle. Mix the resulting solution well and let sit for 72 hours in a cool, dark place. Distribute the sanitizer into convenient containers with dispensers.
This recipe was taken from the official website of the WHO:
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
In order for the sanitizer to be as effective as possible, it must contain at least 60–70% alcohol. This can be either isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. Only at these concentrations and higher can the alcohol destroy the lipid membranes of viruses and microorganisms, killing any pathogenic microorganisms. Strong alcoholic beverages are not suitable for this purpose, as their alcohol concentration is not high enough. Glycerin is added to the antiseptic as a moisturizer, and hydrogen peroxide is needed to destroy the spores of various bacteria that could potentially be in the solution. You can also add 2-3 drops of any essential oil or lemon juice to the mixture, as this will lend the sanitizer a nice aroma without affecting its antimicrobial properties. But exercise caution: the WHO mentions that such fragrances can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The prepared solution needs to sit for a time, as this will allow the hydrogen peroxide to completely destroy any bacterial spores that may be present in the mixture. Apply your sanitizer according to these guidelines: 1) Squeeze out a few drops of the antiseptic and rub your palms and fingers thoroughly. Don’t forget about your fingernails – pathogens can hide under them too! Keep rubbing your hands until they dry. This should take from 15 to 30 seconds. Unfortunately, an antiseptic will not work if your hands are too dirty or oily.To protect yourself as effectively as possible: -Avoid touching your face, mouth and eyes -Wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds -If possible, use a sanitizer or wear gloves.
This recipe was taken from the WHO official website:
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
Safety precautions: Warning! Perform the experiment in a well-ventilated area. Observe safety rules when working with fire: this mixture contains flammable substances.






![Сlean a penny in 60 seconds
Vinegar and salt – and an old copper coin shines like new!
Equipment: plate, bowl, glass, tablespoon, vinegar, table salt, old copper coin.
Dissolve two tablespoons of table salt in a glass of vinegar. Pour the solution into a bowl and immerse an old copper coin in it – it brightens rapidly before your eyes!
Old copper coins are covered with films of a mixture of copper(I) oxide and copper(II) oxide. Such films cannot be dissolved in vinegar or a solution of sodium chloride separately, but they rapidly react with a mixture of vinegar and salt. Copper(II) oxide dissolves in acetic acid, forming copper(II) acetate:
2CH₃COOH + CuO → (CH₃COO)₂Cu + H₂O
And copper(I) oxide reacts with sodium chloride, forming chloride complexes:
Cu₂O + 2NaCl + 2CH₃COOH → 2Na[CuCl₂] + 2CH₃COONa + H₂O
These processes must happen simultaneously, so the coin cannot be cleaned by rinsing first with vinegar, then with a salt solution, or vice versa. Rinse your coin with water after the experiment to ensure that it retains its shine for a long time!
Many more cool experiments await you in the MEL Chemistry subscription!
Warning! Only under adult supervision. Сlean a penny in 60 seconds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lRKUnVFFIqk/mqdefault.jpg)



