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Using Vodka for a spray
Hello,
I’m going to make my own bug repellent spray and the recipe I’m going to use calls for a small amount of vodka as a preservative. Is there a better option or is vodka a really good choice?
Thanks - Oliver
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11 Replies
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Madness. Why waste perfectly good vodka when denatured ethanol would work fine?
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A small amount of ethanol is not going to be much of a preservative. You need to use 15 - 20% before it starts to become effective.
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I’m getting confused the more I research. I hear vodka is good for skin but denatured ethanol can be harmful? The percentage of the alcohol in this recipe would be roughly 2-5%. I wonder if I even need alcohol. The recipe calls for witch hazel, a carrier oil (im using grapeseed), lemon eucalyptus essential oil and a 1/4 teaspoon of vodka.
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Researching things on the Internet is tricky since there is so much published that is just wrong. If you don’t have a science background then at the very least you should be researching what scientists have to say. This means going through peer reviewed journals.
There is no scientific evidence of which I’m aware that suggests vodka is “good” for skin. There is also scant evidence that denatured ethanol is bad for skin. I’ve looked in peer reviewed research journals and found nothing that should concern formulators.But I’ll even go a step further…using witch hazel, and essential oils will not be a very effective bug repellent.Here is a link to a systematic review of effective bug repellent ingredients / strategies.The conclusion. DEET is the most effective. Essential oils are not recommended. -
I’ve seen the EcoSmart products in Home Depot for a few years, looks like they are claiming all essential oils as active ingredients. Not sure how effective they are though…no preservative to speak of either which is interesting.
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Just because someone can sell a product doesn’t mean it works.
If you are serious about preventing bug bites, the choice is clear at least as far as scientific research goes. -
Thank you Perry. That was excellent info in that study you provided the link for. My repellent spray will have the lemon eucalyptus oil in it but you say the witch hazel should not be part of a bug repellent solution? I wonder if the witch hazel and vodka/denatured ethanol is supposed to allow the mixture to spray out of a spray bottle in a finer mist? What would you suggest to use? This is a product I’m making for a friend in Puerto Rico who’s going to sell it down there. Mosquitos are a massive problem at the resort where he’s a manager. Thank you!
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Selling an insect repellent puts you under the jurisdiction of the EPA. I’d research the regulations carefully, if I were you. They are NOT the same as cosmetic/OTC regulations (which you are also still subject to as well, because the product is applied to skin)
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Thank you Bobzchemist for the heads up. I researched the EPA requirements and the ingredients I’m using have been approved and deemed safe by the EPA.
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EcoSmart mosquito repellent works GREAT. As good as, if not better than the “normal” stuff. It also smells good and isn’t greasy. It does have to be applied more often though. I’ve also used their organic pest sprays and granules for home and yard and they work really well, but also have to be used more frequently than the chemical ones.
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@_joy_ according to this scientifically controlled comparison study, EcoSmart does not work as well as other options.
“Ecosmart Organic Insect Repellent resulted in a strong reduction of attraction at 0 min, but this effect did not persist after 30 min or any of the later time points.”
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