Alert! – Extra Strength Hand Sanitizers Now Available from Keys

75% Organic Ethanol Alcohol Extra Strength Sanitizer

We are making a short run of Extra Strength Hand Sanitizers for our customers. Here are the details:

We have allocated a supply of fine-mist sprayer bottles that we had in stock that we can use for hand sanitizers. We have decided to make a short run of extra-strength sanitizers made from 75% ethanol alcohol that we have in inventory that makes some of our extracts. We are dedicating the alcohol to use as a sanitizer that we will make available to our online customers only at a little over our cost at $9.47.  (Please note that we are trying to source lower-cost spray bottles to sustain production, but they are in very short supply.  See the comments below.)

These are expensive sprayers that may be refilled multiple times, so below are build-your-own-formulas. The alcohol we use is a scientific grade organic grain/corn alcohol that is 150 proof or 75% ethanol alcohol. The 1% spearmint essential oil is the same spearmint we use in our Galleyon soap. Spearmint is in the formulation to reduce chapping caused by alcohol.

All said sanitizers work as a stop-gap when you are unable to wash hands. The minimum recommended percentage is 60% by the Center for Disease Control and NIH. We have increased the level to 75% to be sure of efficacy for more robust germs and pathogens.

Wash Hands When You Can

Washing your hands is the most important thing you can do because the process reduced the biomass of pathogens on your hands. Further, some reports popping out of the NIH indicate that virus have lipids (or fat) that protect the virus. Washing with oil or grease reducing detergents like liquid dish soap or a Castile soap like our Galleyon or Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castile soap is a more natural solution and is just as effective. Remember that sanitizers are a stop-gap when you cannot wash your hands.

When you do wash your hands, wash up thoroughly past your writs mid-forearm for at least one minute. Longer if you can. Rinse and briskly dry with paper towels.  

Also, remember not to touch your face with your hands. Hard, but try.

Hand Sanitizers Do Cause Skin Irritation!

Hand sanitizers can inflame the skin. Many on the market add aloe vera and oils to calm the action of the alcohol. If you do experience dryness or redness from any sanitizers, a lotion, like or Tortuga Lotion, that are natural oil-based lotions and do not contain glycols. Natural lotions will help to soothe your hands.

Eczema or Psoriasis

If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, sanitizers are notorious for irritating the skin more. Our customers have reported that of MetaCare lotion helps with these conditions and should also help if irritated with alcohol sanitizers.

Learn To Be A DIYer

For many of you, this is a tough request. It is so easy to buy something and throw away the container when you are done. Tough times bring tough measures, and we are asking you to learn a few new tricks that will save you money and keep you in a safe zone with your own sanitizers.

I applaud the DIYers that are posting videos and blog articles on how to make your own sanitizers. Just keep in mind that the minimum alcohol level is >60%!

Become A DIYer & Reuse Our Sprayer!

Please plan to reuse the sprayer. The sprayer mechanism was tested for far more actuations than you will ever need. To make this more cost-effective, plan to build your own when this spray is depleted.  We are not allowed to sell you refills of the hand sanitizer because of US Federal Agency – ATF regulations.  This is why you only see small bottles to purchase.  You can make your own very easily.

Formulas: To Build Your Own Refills

There are three sanitizers that you can make it home. The first is my recommended formula and so on.

1. 99% 190 Proof Grain or Corn Alcohol and 1% essential or carrier oil. The alcohol is available from liquor stores, including Wal-Mart’s that sell liquor. The most known brand is EverClear, and any 190 proof grain alcohol will work. I like spearmint oil, but you can use any other essential oil. Mint oils are reported to help with pathogens, but this is not proven.  
2. 99% of >70% Isopropyl Alcohol, if you are able to find it. 99% is not necessarily better, and it might be easier to find. add 1% spearmint essential oil or another favorite up to 3%.
3. Denatured alcohol is Ethanol with Menthol as the denaturing agent. Please be careful with this. Denatured alcohol is usually available from Home Depot or Lowes in the paint department. Sometimes, it may contain MEK or Toluene. Please do not use it if you see anything other than ethanol and menthol listed on the label. The same is true of Tiki Torch fuel, which you can used as well if it is only alcohol. Many contain Ethanol and Menthol only with a colorant to turn them pink. 

Contrary to some DIY reports, do not use vodka or any other spirits that are below 120 proof. Vodka is typically 80 proof, which is only 40% alcohol. You need at least 60% (120 proof) to be effective. You can use 151 Proof Rum, but beware that some rum’s contain sugar, which can feed bacterial on the skin. Also, know that even if alcohol is made from sugar cane, sugar beets, or corn when it is distilled, the sugars are converted to alcohol. What you want to be concerned with is if an alcohol brand has raw sugar added post distillation. Your best bet is to stick to the three formulas above.

Will We Produce Hand Sanitizers in the Future?

Lots of variables here. We are looking at the idea of using our ForceX/Skin Aid bottles and sprayers to make a hand sanitizer product going forward. The one idea we have will require that we have a change in Federal government policy. First, the alcohol we use is a scientific grade of organic ethanol. Because it is ethanol, it falls under the control of ATF (US Federal agency for Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) Seriously! Our idea is to sell a refillable sanitizer that we would sell you a sprayer of two and a refill 8-ounce bottle of sanitizer. So, the problem is that it currently illegal for us to do this because the solution is drinkable, although very expensive. Current rules make it illegal to transport that much alcohol through the mail. So, we have to see if we can make a cost-effective version in 2-ounce bottles. Film at 11 as they say.

Update:

Some local distilleries are turning their spirits production into creating pure grain and corn alcohol to use for hand sanitizers. These are usually 190 proof (95%) ethanol alcohol. They are bottling an selling it to use to make hand sanitizers. Good for them! Check out your local distilleries to see if they are offering 190 proof alcohol or alcohol greater than 120 proof. Note, some are watering down the proof to be more cost-effective and stretch their production to help more people. Remember that anything over 60% should be sufficient.

Most of all, stay well, be well, and good luck to all.

Bob & Wendy

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