Learn to make your own DIY hand sanitizer with this simple recipe. We all know the best way to help keep ourselves germ-free and healthy is to wash our hands, but sometimes that just isn’t possible.
Keep a small bottle of this homemade hand sanitizer made with aloe vera, alcohol and essential oils in your purse or car for those times when you need a little extra germ protection but don’t have access to a sink.
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Should you make DIY hand sanitizer?
I was thinking about learning how to make my own hand sanitizer back in January but then I figured that was going a bit too far, even for an avid DIY’er like me.
With concerns of the Corona virus spreading across the US, many people are now rushing to the drugstore to stock up on supplies. Fears over being quarantined for several weeks have caused many people to panic and start hoarding cleaning supplies, toilet paper and other basic household needs.
In fact, I had some trouble finding the correct alcohol I needed to make this recipe at the drugstore so I used Everclear- 120 proof alcohol, which you’ll read about below in the instructions. Because of the alcohol content in the sanitizer I recommend keeping it away from small kids who may be tempted to lick their hands.
Now that people in Washington State (where I live) seem to be going into full panic mode there isn’t a whole lot of hand sanitizer, gloves, masks or anything else we might need to keep ourselves healthy.
Go have a peek in your medicine cabinet and check if you have the following supplies. If not, you can get some of them at the drugstore (if there is any left) or as always, on Amazon, although they are selling out there too.
Ingredients for homemade hand sanitizer
- ⅔ cup 99% rubbing alcohol or 120 proof Everclear.
- ⅓ cup aloe vera gel.
- 8-10 drops essential oil, such as lavender, peppermint or grapefruit
- Bowl and spoon.
- Funnel.
- Empty liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottle.
The most important thing is to use alcohol that is 60% or higher. Regular Smirnoff vodka won’t work. Use the 120 proof like I did or get 99% rubbing alcohol from the pharmacy (FYI, they are probably out of stock).
Directions for diy hand sanitizer recipe
- Pour the aloe gel into the bottle and add the alcohol.
- Shake the bottle gently.
- Add the essential oils.
- Shake a little more.
How to use it:
Squeeze a small amount on your hands and rub together.
FAQ's
No! Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers at removing certain kinds of germs, like Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile. Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. However, as I previously mentioned if you don’t have access to a sink then use the hand sanitizer.
Using too much alcohol-based hand sanitizer or too frequently washing your hands can backfire. Over-washing can cause hands to dry out, crack and bleed, which allows germs to enter the body. Combat dryness by applying moisturizing cream or lotion to damp skin.
Alcohol rub sanitizers kill most bacteria, and fungi, and stop some viruses. Alcohol rub sanitizers containing at least 70% alcohol (mainly ethyl alcohol) kill 99.9% of the bacteria on hands 30 seconds after application and 99.99% to 99.999% in one minute
More DIY cleaning recipes
- How to get rid of spiders naturally
- How to clean a bathtub
- DIY vinegar fabric softener
- Silica bead hacks
Have you made your own hand sanitizer before? Share your tips in the comments!
Ryan says
Your recipe will not work with 120 proof alcohol. 120 proof alcohol by itself will work, but for a sanitizer to work it has to stay above 60% ALCOHOL. And since 120proof alcohol is 60% alcohol, if you mix anything it lowers that percentage and is useless.
You recipe only works with 99% rubbing alcohol
Annie says
What about 151 proof, 75.5 % etOH? Do you know a correct recipe?