DIY Izal: A Comprehensive Guide to Making Your Own Disinfectant at Home

In a world increasingly conscious of hygiene and cleanliness, the demand for effective disinfectants has never been higher. While commercial products are readily available, there’s a growing interest in DIY solutions that are both cost-effective and customizable. One such solution is making your own Izal, a powerful disinfectant traditionally known for its strong cleaning and germ-killing properties. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating your own Izal at home, providing detailed steps, necessary precautions, and important information to ensure your success.

What is Izal and Why Make it at Home?

Izal, a name often used generically to refer to a type of black disinfectant, was originally a brand name for a product that contained a mix of phenols and emulsifiers. Its strength and distinct odor made it popular for disinfecting surfaces, floors, and drains. While commercially produced Izal is still available, making it at home offers several advantages:

• Cost-effectiveness: DIY Izal can be significantly cheaper than buying commercial versions, especially if you need it in large quantities.
• Customization: You can adjust the strength and fragrance of your homemade Izal to suit your specific needs and preferences.
• Reduced reliance on commercial products: Making your own Izal can provide a sense of self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on store-bought chemicals.
• Control over ingredients: When you make your own Izal, you have complete control over the components, allowing you to avoid certain additives you might be sensitive to.

Important Note: While this guide aims to provide you with the knowledge to create Izal, safety is paramount. It is essential to remember that the ingredients involved are chemicals and should be handled with extreme caution. Always follow the safety guidelines and wear appropriate protective gear.

Understanding the Ingredients and Their Roles

Before you start making your Izal, it’s crucial to understand the role of each ingredient. The key components of homemade Izal include:

1. Cresols/Phenols: These are the active disinfectant ingredients responsible for killing germs and bacteria. They are strong chemicals and must be handled with care. Commonly used options are:
• Cresol: A common phenol derivative, effective but has a strong odor.
• Pine Oil: Although not a phenol, pine oil possesses some disinfectant properties and imparts a pleasant fragrance.
2. Emulsifier: This ingredient is crucial for creating a stable emulsion, allowing the phenols and oil to mix properly with water. This prevents separation and ensures even distribution of disinfectant. Common emulsifiers include:
• Liquid Soap (Potassium/Sodium Hydroxide based): A basic liquid soap with a high pH will work as an emulsifier for this purpose. Make sure it’s a non-perfumed version to not alter the final product smell.
• Castor oil: Can assist with the process, and has some mild disinfectant properties.
3. Water: This serves as the primary solvent and diluent for the other ingredients.
4. Black dye (Optional): To achieve the classic black color of Izal. You can use a concentrated black fabric dye or an appropriate food-grade black colorant.
5. Optional fragrance oils: for a better smell.

Essential Safety Precautions

Working with phenols and other chemicals requires strict adherence to safety measures. Before you begin, take the following precautions:

• Wear Protective Gear: Always wear gloves, safety goggles, and a mask to protect your skin, eyes, and respiratory system from chemical exposure.
• Work in a Well-Ventilated Area: Ensure you are working in a space with good ventilation to avoid inhaling fumes. Ideally, do it outside.
• Handle Chemicals with Care: Do not ingest, inhale, or allow chemicals to come into contact with your skin.
• Use Appropriate Containers: Utilize glass, stainless steel, or high-density plastic containers. Avoid using metal containers that could react with the chemicals.
• Keep Away From Children and Pets: Store all ingredients and finished products in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets.
• Read the MSDS: If you are using cresol or other phenol-based compounds, thoroughly read the Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the supplier and understand the risks associated with it.
• Never mix with bleach or ammonia: Mixing disinfectants may cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Izal at Home

Now, let’s get into the detailed process of making your own Izal. This recipe provides a basic starting point; you may adjust the ratios slightly based on your experience and preferences.

Recipe:

• Cresol or Pine Oil: 100ml (you can mix the two)
• Liquid Soap (Potassium or Sodium hydroxide based) 50ml (use a non-perfumed version)
• Castor oil 20ml (optional, can replace some liquid soap)
• Water: 1000ml
• Black dye: as needed for desired color
• Optional Fragrance oil: a few drops

Materials Needed:

• Protective gloves
• Safety goggles
• Face mask
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Glass or high-density plastic containers
• Mixing bowl or jar
• Stirring rod or spoon

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Before you begin, ensure you have all your materials ready and that you are working in a well-ventilated area. Lay down some old newspapers or a plastic sheet to protect your work surface from spills.

Step 2: Combine the Active Ingredients (Cresol/Pine Oil) and Castor Oil

In your mixing bowl or jar, carefully measure and add the cresol or pine oil (or a mix of both). If using it, add the castor oil to this same container and gently mix. Note that the ratio of cresol to pine oil depends on your preference for strength vs. smell. Keep in mind cresol has a very strong smell, and will be evident in the final product.

Step 3: Add the Liquid Soap (Emulsifier)

Next, carefully measure and add the liquid soap to the mixture of oils. Stir gently. This is the emulsifying agent that will allow the oil to bind with the water.

Step 4: Gradually Add the Water

Slowly start adding the water to the oil and soap mixture. Stir continuously as you add the water. The mixture will gradually turn milky and should not separate. You should be aiming for a homogenous mixture. Keep stirring for at least 5 minutes at this stage.

Step 5: Add the Black Dye (Optional)

If you want your Izal to have the traditional black color, add a few drops of black dye. Start with a small amount and add more until you achieve your desired shade. Keep stirring.

Step 6: Add optional fragrance oils

If you want a better smell you can add a few drops of fragrance oils. Be careful to not go overboard with this, you don’t want to over-power the disinfectant.

Step 7: Stir thoroughly and check for uniformity

Continue stirring the mixture for another 5 minutes to ensure that all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. The resulting liquid should be uniformly mixed and have no oily residue.

Step 8: Transfer to Storage Containers

Once the mixture is ready, carefully transfer it into your storage containers. Ensure the containers are tightly sealed. Label each container clearly with the contents and the date of manufacture.

Step 9: Allow to rest before use

It is recommended to allow the Izal to settle and any bubbles to come out. Let the product sit for 24 hours, to allow it to settle completely before using.

Adjusting the Strength and Fragrance

The above recipe provides a baseline for making Izal. You can adjust it to suit your needs and preferences:

• Increase the Disinfectant Power: Add more cresol to increase the potency of your Izal. However, be very cautious when increasing cresol levels, as this will also result in a more pungent smell and increased risk to your health if not handled properly. Do so only if you are well experienced with the product, and know the safe limits for your intended use.
• Reduce the Disinfectant Power: Decrease the amount of cresol and increase the water if you need a less potent solution. For a less strong disinfectant, you can use only pine oil.
• Change the Fragrance: Experiment with different essential oils or fragrance oils to create a scent that you find pleasant. If using essential oils, add them in small quantities and test if they are compatible with the mixture.

How to Use Homemade Izal Safely

Homemade Izal can be a powerful disinfectant, but it needs to be used correctly to ensure effectiveness and safety. Here are some tips:

• Dilution: Always dilute Izal before use. A recommended starting point is to add about 50-100ml of homemade Izal per liter of water. Adjust the concentration as needed depending on the purpose.
• Application: Use a mop, sponge, or spray bottle to apply the diluted Izal to surfaces you wish to disinfect. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before wiping with a clean cloth or mop.
• Ventilation: Always ensure adequate ventilation when using Izal, especially when using it in enclosed spaces.
• Test on Inconspicuous Areas: Before using Izal on an entire surface, test it on a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage.
• Avoid Contact with Skin: Always wear gloves when using diluted Izal to prevent skin irritation.
• Do Not Mix with Other Chemicals: Never mix Izal with other cleaning products or chemicals, especially bleach or ammonia, as this can create dangerous and toxic fumes.
• Storage: Store the mixture in a well sealed container out of reach of children, away from direct sunlight and heat. Label the container clearly as a disinfectant.

Troubleshooting

While making homemade Izal is relatively straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

• Separation: If the Izal mixture separates into layers, it means the emulsifier was not sufficient. Ensure you use the correct quantity of the liquid soap and stir thoroughly until the mixture is well combined. You may also have to add more emulsifier, but it’s best to prepare a new batch if you’ve already added water.
• Strong Odor: If the odor is too strong for your liking, you can try diluting the mixture further or adding a stronger fragrance oil. Consider using more pine oil and less cresol for less odor.
• Poor Disinfectant Efficacy: If you feel your mixture isn’t disinfecting effectively, you may need to increase the concentration of cresol (if you’re using it). But be very careful when increasing the concentration of cresol. Be sure you know what you are doing and use appropriate safety measures. It is also advisable to use commercially available disinfectants if you are handling serious diseases or dealing with vulnerable groups (babies, children, elderly, sick people).

Conclusion

Making your own Izal at home is a cost-effective and empowering way to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, and adhering to all safety precautions, you can create a powerful disinfectant tailored to your needs. Remember that safety is paramount, and it’s important to handle chemicals responsibly. Always test your mixture on inconspicuous areas before applying it to larger surfaces. With practice, you’ll become more adept at creating a quality, homemade Izal solution that meets your requirements. You can also explore variations in recipes to find the best balance of disinfectant power, cost-effectiveness, and fragrance for your household.

By embracing the DIY approach, you gain more control over the ingredients, and the final product, reducing your reliance on commercial solutions, all while ensuring a healthy and clean home.