can you use witch hazel to clean a bong can you use witch hazel to clean a bong

Formulated with witch hazel, salicylic acid, and sage leaf, this facial cleanser by Aesop cleanses without dehydrating the skin, and is gentle enough to use on all skin types. The quick-drying astringent witch hazel will tighten skin, setting the makeup and ensuring that you look your best throughout the entire day. If youre a fan of essential oils (many use them for their nice-smelling, mood-boosting benefits), you know you need to combine them with a carrier oil or a base so youre not putting high concentrations directly on the skin. How To Clean Your Scalp With Witch HazelEliminate itchy scalp. It's an astringent, which Dr. Engleman says can help tighten up pores (making them temporarily look smaller). Dickinson's Witch Hazel , $4) with warm water and a bit of lemon juice to create a fresh-scented, all-natural cleaning solution that works brilliantly on metal, glass surfaces, tile, and even jewelry. He has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications. $14. Feel free to do this as often as necessary. It reduces swelling, calms irritation, minimizes . Add equal parts witch hazel and distilled water to a spray bottle, then add your favorite essential oil or oils. Note that this doesnt just work on your pet. 6. Instead of spending a lot of money on expensive floor cleaning solutions, just pour half a cup of witch hazel into a gallon of warm water. Its going to leave the finish just like glass. Its always a good idea to test any new cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous part of the material before applying it liberally. Hemorrhoids can cause irritation, bleeding, and discomfort. You can combine witch hazel with cinnamon essential oil and water to make a highly effective DIY insect repellent, which is particularly effective against bed bugs. For oily or acne-prone skin, a quick swipe of Witch Hazel throughout the day is a great way to remove excess oil without the hassle of a full face wash . Cookie Notice Heres what you need to know. Sold in drugstores, witch hazel astringent is derived from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant, also known as winterbloom, snapping hazel and spotted alder. It also is great for personal hygiene, cosmetics, wound care, and more. Your email address will not be published. This works great if you got some hair dye stains on your skin (tip: you can also prevent those stains in the first place by applying a little petroleum jelly to your skin before you dye your hair). Cautions Of Using Witch Hazel On The Skin. In addition, it is a cheap solution that is very easy to find in just about any grocery store or drug store. Shake well and use as an antiperspirant, Method 7: DIY Makeup Brush Cleaning Spray, Step 1. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid Castile soap as well. 15 drops tea tree essential oil. Witch hazel is a popular folk remedy for spider veins. 3. The same mixture of witch hazel, lemon juice, and baking soda that works so well as a bathroom cleaner can also be mixed together in a spray bottle and used on your glass windows, mirrors, and chrome surfaces. To make this makeup remover, combine 3 tablespoons of alcohol-free witch hazel and 2 tablespoons of nourishing oil (like olive oil). It costs only a few dollars to buy a bottle of witch hazel. Heal cuts and fade bruises. For jewelry that hasnt been cleaned in some time, you can also soak pieces for about 20 to 30 minutes in a small dish or glass filled with witch hazel. Put the nozzle back on the bottle and shake it well to mix all the ingredients together. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Our commitment to clean, safe and healthy environments. No more streaks and harsh chemicals being wiped all over your floor! You can also use it on high-shine floors, including marble. If youre in a pinch and dont have access to a sink, using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol does kill the virus if you apply it properly, experts say, but it still shouldnt override washing your hands. Witch hazel alone is on neither of these lists: Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Prevention that there isn't any "confirmatory evidence" that witch hazel is as effective as a true antiseptic. Just massage it into your scalp, and then follow it up with your standard shampoo and conditioner in the shower and rinse it all out. One important note before we get into its multipurpose uses: Witch Hazel is not an adequate substitute for proper disinfectant. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Reduces oiliness. Oh, and were on Instagram too. Its a particularly good solution for chronic issues since you can apply as much of it as you need as often as you like. Then, using a mix of witch hazel extract and water or alcohol, apply to your face with a cotton ball. You can actually just treat them using a little witch hazel and petroleum jelly mixed together. 1. How To Make A Homemade First Aid Ointment, How To Get That Post-Workout Glow In 2 Simple Steps. For more information, please see our 9. Stretch marks are pretty tough to get rid of, but one method many people report great success with is witch hazel! Not only is witch hazel great for your scalp, but it also can be helpful for your hair care routine in other ways. The solvents in the Witch Hazel strip away old wax while the water dissolves dirt and debris. Like stretch marks, they can be troublesomely stubborn. Bottom line: Save the witch hazel for those minor scrapes and bug bitesand keep washing your hands. "Topical witch hazel is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, and because many acne lesions are inflammatory, witch hazel has been used to decrease the . Add about 15 drops of tea tree essential oil. I would try hot water and salt first. ), Enter your email address to receive a Fab DIY delivered weekly to your inbox. Pour 3 tablespoons of warm water into a spray bottle. Stir the mixture together and start mopping. With that, people have tried to figure out how to make their own hand sanitizer and cleaning solutions. Wash your face prior to using this product. Witch Hazel was the only thing that worked. And for those times when an itchy patch of skin is driving you crazy, our Production Manager Brittany has an easy Witch Hazel remedy! Steps. Liquid Castile soap (breaks down hardened product) 1 teaspoon. Pour 4 tablespoons of witch hazel into the bottle as well. Witch hazel is a safe cleaning solution for all open wounds and scrapes. Add 6 drops of peppermint essential oil to the spray bottle. Sometimes you dont have bags under your eyes, but you get a kind of general puffiness. You can use witch hazel to disinfect and clean your dogs ears; doing so will provide relief from the constant itching and also treat the infection. Single-Step Method: Mix witch hazel and cinnamon oil to make a natural spray repellent. Add a half cup of witch hazel to a gallon of water and use for mopping the floor. and was widely used as an herbal medicine s by Native Americans. Its really easy. Although it is popular as a toner, it can be found in shampoos as well. Its even great for fighting odors in stinky gym shoes! To make your own odor-removal spray, simply combine witch hazel with absorbent baking soda and fresh-smelling lavender essential oil. Reach out to us to learn more! All can effectively neutralize germs associated with the novel coronavirus. water. Soak your jewelry in a solution of witch hazel and tea tree essential oil, Single-Step Method: Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and use as a cleaner, Single-Step Method: Use a witch hazel spray to clean dirty windows. or rubbing alcohol when it comes to cleaning out a cut. The total size of all your images should be less than 1 MB. Finally, add 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and 1 drop of thyme essential oil. When you feel that little tingle that signifies you have a cold sore coming on, try applying a little witch hazel to the spot. Witch Hazel products in your local drug store because common Witch Hazel is such a powerful first aid tool. It can be applied with a cotton ball that remains on the skin as a compress, if desired. 1. Use this pre-shampoo soothing treatment to help banish itch. Witch hazel can be used to clean your jewelry, as it is comparatively mild and will not damage or tarnish precious metals or stones. Witch hazel is often sourced for skincare solutions and topical treatments for pain. After using witch hazel in . In Two Minds Facial Cleanser. Boiling one teaspoon (5 ml) of witch hazel in . Experts say that astringents like witch hazel aren't the same as other household cleaners you can use right now. You can even prevent a sunburn from peeling this way, and you can speed the healing process along, lessening the damage. This is true even if you do not suffer from acne or oily skin. With a few bottles of witch hazel around, your home and your smiling face will both look squeaky clean. Pour 4 tablespoons of water into a spray bottle. Ear canal is narrowed (called "stenotic") compared to what it normally looks like. Vaginal odor & witch hazel. This is where witch hazel comes to the rescue. Gargle that instead. Many of the items we cant live without are multipurpose: They save time, space and effort on the busiest days. Witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, and tea tree work together to clarify . Today Ill be sharing a few practical uses for Witch Hazel, several of which are perfect for handling spring and summer maladies. Witch hazels wonderful soothing properties are great for curbing that itch. The extract, which is derived from the plants bark or leaves, is distilled and often used as an astringent to relieve mild skin irritations like insect bites and minor cuts or scrapes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Spritz the deodorizing spray inside the stinky shoes. Gently rub the bristles to dislodge the dried product. Thanks! Drop, spray, or dab witch hazel on the hairline and part. Transfer to a pump or squeeze bottle and use for up to 2 weeks. Massaging your scalp with full-strength witch hazel before shampooing will strip away oil and dandruff, making your shampoo more effective. With prolonged and regular use, your shoes become saturated with sweat, especially in the toe area. 26 Beneficial Uses For Witch Hazel, Witch Hazel is one of those simple, natural products that most of us probably already have on hand, but that we dont use very often. That means that you'll want to apply it after using a cleanser to re-balance skin pH. Ineffective ingredients and inaccurate measurements can lead to poor outcomes that dont actually work. is one of your best defenses against COVID-19. Share them with us in the comments below! And, in particular, are DIY disinfectants and sanitizers even effective? Witch hazel is better suited towards oily, acne-prone skin types," says Park. Witch hazel acts as a powerful disinfectant and can be mixed with water and lavender essential oil to make an all-purpose cleaner, especially for your windows, floors and refrigerator. You can also use it on high-shine floors, including marble. The stain should lift right off! Using a hand sanitizer can prevent you from catching a whole host of communicable diseases by keeping your hands clean and germ-free. Privacy Policy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The witch hazel you see in your supermarket is distilled witch hazel extract obtained from the dried leaves, barks and twigs of the flowering shrub. As with most other things, you must expect that there are some manufacturing differences between brands.Some companies might choose to add preservatives, alcohol, or other ingredients to enhance the product but for the most part witch hazel is an all-natural extract great for cleansing, skin repair, and fighting bacteria. I do not suggest this as a reliable method as we do not know how it stacks up with coronavirus, says Rajeev Fernando, M.D., an infectious disease expert in Southampton, New York. But witch hazel should not be used to disinfect surfaces, and witch hazel alone is not an Environmental Protection Agency-approved product approved to disinfect surfaces. Because of its ability to decrease inflammation and act as an astringent, witch hazel is sometimes used to treat sore throats. Blot and clean the brush using the paper towel. Put witch hazel on a cotton ball and wipe jewelry clean. Witch Hazel Wipes. You can also use the spray to treat bed bug bites, this makes this DIY insect repellent one of the best uses of witch hazel around the house. Who doesnt love to sparkle with jewelry? Witch Hazel Uses You Should Try. We also stash big bottles of white vinegar, castile soap and baking soda around the house. You can make your own natural DIY antiperspirant by combining witch hazel, aloe vera gel, baking soda and sage essential oil. Much like its shelf-mates hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol, witch hazel has a number of household uses beyond skincare and home remedies. Fill your bong with warm water, and while holding your hands over the shaft and mouth-hole, give the bong a good shake. Winged critters arent the only things outdoors in the summer that can make you itch. While witch hazel is safe to use topically on dogs and is not known to interact with other medications, there are some risks pet parents should be aware of, vets advise. I have about 3 grams of tar saved up. Combine water and witch hazel in a spray bottle, Step 3. Hemorrhoids. If you come across websites that list witch hazel as a disinfectant, it may be because there is very limited research which suggests tannins found within witch hazel could target bacteria associated with the avian flu and human papillomavirus (this 2014 study published in PLoS ONE shared this finding). You can safely store and use this sanitizer for 1 to 2 weeks. It acts as a powerful disinfectant and can be mixed with aloe vera gel, tea tree essential oil and vitamin E oil to make a DIY sanitizer that cleans your hands and also moisturizes and soothes your skin. For this reason, you have to avoid harsh detergents (even some commercial jewelry cleaning solutions are too strong to use safely!). Spritz witch hazel on the dirty glass and wipe it clean. Three, it's useful for hemorrhoids, which are, of course, the bane of all existence. You do however need to be very careful when applying it, because if it gets into . If your pet has a minor cut or scrape, you can treat it with witch hazel just as you can do for yourself. Plus, these homemade recipes havent actually been studied and peer-reviewed, so theyre not data-driven and cant be ensured as safe, Dr. Fernando says. 31 Ways To Use Labels & Tags This Holiday! Lastly, rinse your jewelry in water for a final cleaning. Vinyl, linoleum, and tile floors can be kept clean by mopping once a week with a solution made from 1/2 cup of Witch Hazel and 1 gallon of warm water. Shake well and spray the solution to deodorize your home, Step 2. Pour cup of water into a clean spray bottle. On that note, witch hazel can remove stains from your skin too. Attach the spray nozzle and shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients together. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. Witch hazel topical side effects. Here are some smart ways to use it: Spritz witch hazel on countertops and wipe it up with a microfiber cloth. Finish with an enzyme cleaner. Stick to store-bought disinfectants or, for DIY disinfecting, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or isopropyl alcohol. Ingesting witch hazel can cause problems like nausea, vomiting, and liver damage. Wounds: Cleaning an open wound thoroughly is important to the healing process and to keep infection at bay. The astringent qualities of witch hazel make it great as a makeup remover. While witch hazel may assist with some skin problems, the evidence of its effectiveness is equivocal. When you get rid of excess oils on your skin and get rid of dirt and debris, you unclog your pores and let acne dry out. Spray your DIY antiperspirant on the most sweat-prone areas to control perspiration. Now, your jewelry will sparkle and shine just like it did the first time it caught your eye. Research indicates witch hazel has both good and bad properties for skin. Instead of buying eyeglasses cleaning solution from the store, why not create it yourself quickly and economically at home? This is not a complete list of side . You can also use Witch Hazel on bruises or skin that is blistered or cracked. Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle, Step 2. Unfortunately, you probably arent the only one thinking that. Click on button and make sure to select all the images you want to upload. It can also reduce irritation of hair follicles that can inhibit new hair growth. This tonic lasts up to two years if stored in an airtight bottle in a cool, dry place. It works great., Witch hazel causes your skin to tighten up. Pour baking soda into the mouth-hole, allowing it to cling to the moist glass inside the bong. Witch hazel toxicity can cause symptoms like vomiting and constipation if ingested. Gargling saltwater not doing the trick for you? 44 Comments. The puffiness and redness should be gone, or at least greatly reduced. Maybe you got something stuck in your gums while eating, or perhaps you have an infection or ate something that irritated you. You might be surprised to learn that witch hazel is actually a plant. Put the piece of dirty jewelry in the cleaning solution. Make the experience into a small, personal ritual and leave an offering of nuts, or similar, suitable food for the birds, mice, squirrels, etc. Discussion in 'Bongs, Dab Rigs, Bubblers, Water Pipes' started by jameslieb1, Mar 25, 2014. . Witch Hazel Sitz Bath. The antiseptic properties will reduce the chances that a bacterial infection will take root, and will also speed up the healing process. Your email address will not be published. I get some of my face stuff on my nostril piercings accidentally, and it doesn't seem to have bothered them yet (2 months old, and healing with litha). Its a lot more eco-friendly than a commercial air freshener, and the smell will be much better too. You can also use this solution as an air freshener. Considering it can help with chicken pox, it is more than up to the task of taking care of a few bug bites! Why Trust Us? Witch Hazel can often replace a daily cleanser for those with normal skin types. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York. Given that COVID-19 is a newly-discovered virus, theres a lot scientists dont know about it. You can also put them in the sunlight for a few hours to let them dry completely. This topical solution comes in the form of wipes or pads that you rub on your skin. This makes the healing process much faster and can slow down bleeding of an open wound. You can also use a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel to remove hair dye stains from your skin. This will really speed up your nighttime routine. Method 1: DIY Insect Repellent. Varicose veins are an unsightly cosmetic blemish with a similar appearance to stretch marks. You can also add tea tree oil to disinfect your pieces, especially your earrings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); WHERE TO BUY WITCH HAZEL SEED OR PLANT IN SOUTH AFRICA, where to buy witch hazel seed and plants in south africa jhb. While it may be used in sanitizing products or hand sanitizers, witch hazel is not meant to be used as a disinfectant. As it turns out, one of the key active ingredients in Preparation H is nothing more than witch hazel. Yes to Tea Tree Soothing Scalp Treatment $8.00. Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel extract and use it to clean and disinfect your dogs ears daily until the infection goes away. Mosquitoes, biting flies, and other insects are thinking the exact same thing. I understand that vaginas are self cleaning and have a delicate pH so I never douche, use feminine washes, or do anything besides use warm water and mild . Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Just as the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory powers of witch hazel are great for you, they can be helpful to your pet as well. If you have large, open pores on your skin and cant stand the sight of them, then you will find that a daily application of witch hazel will help to shrink their appearance. Apply 5 to 10 drops in each affected ear using a clean dropper bottle or baby syringe. In a small spray bottle, mix equal parts witch hazel and distilled water and about 10 drops of tea tree oil, then spray down your equipment after your workout. Witch hazel can feel like a domestic solution for everything after all, there's a good chance that this plant-derived liquid has always been in your medicine cabinet. That means witch hazel should not be used as the single germ-fighting ingredient in DIY cleaning or sanitizing solutions (more on that in a minute), including those made to try and wipe out COVID-19. Spray the witch hazel-based solution on the dirty makeup brush. This is a great way to save money, since you can go through those Preparation H pads pretty quickly. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Many of the most popular uses for witch hazel are cosmetic. There is no confirmatory evidence that witch hazel is effective as an antiseptic, says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. However, you can greatly speed up the healing process by soaking a thin, clean cloth in witch hazel and applying it to the bruise several times per day. You can order your witch hazel from Amazon or Ebay. Alternatively, you can spritz the witch hazel solution directly onto the microfiber cloth and wipe down blinds, refreshing the cloth with additional sprays of solution as you go. Use this witch hazel-based, all-purpose cleaner to clean your tiles, floors and even eliminate odor from your refrigerator. Whats more, The National Academy of Sciences specifically states that there is no evidence that witch hazel destroys germs, including the novel coronavirus.. Witch Hazel and Rose Water. Required fields are marked *. In high dosages, witch hazel can cause kidney and liver damage when it is taken internally. , you can use Witch Hazel as a mild disinfectant for cuts or scrapes thanks to the natural grain alcohol that appears in most brands you can buy over the counter! (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9" }).render("7917806a0d7f4109a1cb2a4492c81a1a"); }); Reichert started using witch hazel to brighten carpets after going into a clients home and seeing her decades-old white carpet in perfect condition. Here are some DIY ideas you can use around the house: To clean stains, add witch hazel to a cotton ball or cloth and apply to the stain. Now, lets get back to what you can do with witch hazel! You can use a witch hazel solution for cleaning the cat's ears. Keep in mind that it doesnt actually shrink your pores, though. She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. The combination of Witch Hazel. Copy. 17. However, health officials do know that washing your hands well and often (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds!) If you find a tick rooted into your dog or cats body, deposit a few drops of witch hazel on top of it. Step 2. My favorite brand is Thayers, can be fo. A vigorous workout is good for your health, but all that sweat can leave your yoga mat, weights, workout bands, yoga blocks, or other personal fitness equipment a little smelly. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. and our Witch hazel can reduce swelling, dry the excess mucus and reduce pain. Even with the best razor, it can be hard to avoid those painful little red bumps. Four, it . She saturates a cotton ball with Witch Hazel and uses it to swab the itchy area. $33. If youre tired of scratching at your bug bites and making them worse, one easy and effective way to get relief is by using witch hazel. While some of its antioxidant components are beneficial, specific tannins in witch hazel (such as hamamelitannin) are sensitizing and present in higher amounts than many other plants. Since it is alcohol-based, it will evaporate quickly all on its own (this is also why it helps paint to dry). Spray the solution like an air freshener to eliminate foul household odors. Add 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil as well. Witch hazel is also known to be the winter bloom, which is a flowering shrub with rejuvenating properties. You can even use an old toothbrush to do the scrubbing. Caution: Pregnant women should not use sage oil. Mario Badescu. Witch hazel to the rescue! Thieves actually kills airborne bacteria. Because of the antimicrobial properties of witch hazel and tea tree oil, this hand sanitizer is a powerful disinfectant. If thats the case, you can use a mix of witch hazel and a little bit of liquid Castile soap to clean your makeup brushes and remove the hardened product without damaging the soft bristles. Its grease-cutting properties make it ideal for removing any residue lingering on the slats of your blinds, but it wont damage them or dry them out. Gentle Surface Cleaner. If youve recently blundered through a patch of poison ivy or poison oak, the itching and burning can be alleviated with an application of witch hazel. Spray on a light layer of witch hazel and use a microfiber mop with it. While there is not enough evidence to . Try instead making some warm tea out of witch hazel, myrrh, and cloves. Joann Pan is a content creator based in New York City. Pour cup of witch hazel into a spray bottle. Add witch hazel to your arsenal of natural cleaning products to help avoid cleaners with hazardous ingredients. Hold the cotton in place for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully place the pipe in your sealable plastic bag or container. Witch hazel (natural antiperspirant) 2 tablespoons, Aloe vera gel (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory) 1 tablespoon, Baking soda (absorbs sweat and odor) teaspoon, Sage essential oil (fresh and fragrant scent) 1 or 2 drops. This stuff does a great job of getting sweat, oil, and dirt off of your face and balancing your skins oil production. Take a look below at 10 wonderful uses for witch hazel and how you can use it in your own home. These two treatments alone have reduced my acne to about 25% of what it used to be. Because of this natural anti-inflammatory chemical composition, there are some products that may mix witch hazel with alcohol and other ingredients to cleanse and soothe skin. If you have a sensitive scalp, you can dilute the witch hazel with . Place the weed pipe in the plastic bag. 2. And, to clean frequently-touched surfaces a little more often, check out the Environmental Protection Agencys full list of approved antimicrobial cleaning products for COVID-19 here. You can customize it to your hearts content, and the scents are actually natural. Boil a tablespoon of witch hazel in a cup of water for 15 mins and then gargle with it. You can make an easy spray-on deodorant which is 100% natural using half a cup of witch hazel, a quarter of a cup of aloe vera gel or juice, a quarter teaspoon of baking soda, and ten drops of your favorite essential oil. The organic compounds within witch hazel make it a powerful astringent substance, meaning that it can help to tighten skin. Treat Damaged Gums. Witch hazel makes for a great alternative for a lot of jewelry cleaning jobs. Witch hazel can help with acne. Simply combine witch hazel (like T.N. If you have stubborn scars, you can lessen the appearance by . Witch hazel has many benefits for skin, including relieving inflammation, tightening pores, and helping with razor bumps. Toner Vs. Astringent Try mixing water and witch hazel in a 1:1 blend and applying it directly to the itchy areas. Just add cup of witch hazel to a gallon of warm water for a cleaning combo that will break down and dissolve old wax and other dirt and leave a streak-free shine. Study: Erythritol May Raise Risk of Heart Disease, does kill the virus if you apply it properly, approved antimicrobial cleaning products for COVID-19 here, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. But it's not a magical elixir, unfortunately, and it cannot be used to properly disinfect a surface to kill germs, including viruses and bacteria. And who wouldnt want shiny jewelry? It is, and we have its gentle yet powerful degreasing properties to thank for that. Though it is often found in commercially prepared hand sanitizer or DIY hand sanitizer recipes, it is included for its skin-soothing benefits rather than any germ-fighting ones. Therefore, it has many important uses.