Hand Sanitizer is a staple of any mom’s gear. While most people use it a lot during the cold and flu season, it is still important to have on hand for the summer. I use it for outdoor picnics when there is no facilities nearby to wash hands before eating or on camping trips and even after trips to the park.
While it is generally reasonably priced, it can also dry your hands out. Try this easy recipe for making your own hand sanitizer that will work and not be as drying on skin.
D.I.Y. Natural Hand Sanitizer
To Make Hand Sanitizer, You will Need:
- 2 1/4 Cups 99% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
- 1 teaspoon Witch Hazel
- 1 Cup Aloe Vera gel
- 6 drops peppermint oil
- 10 drops Tea Tree oil
This is the easiest recipe in the world because you simply mix the ingredients together and place them in small containers. This one is a spray type so I recommend using a small travel size spray bottle for it.
Using a funnel might make it easier to get it into the containers as well.
Make sure to keep all ingredients at germ busting levels. The CDC recommends a 60% alcohol content to make sure it is good enough. Do not adjust the levels here other than to make larger batches by doubling or cutting in half. Keep the ratios the same. For instance, if you want a half recipe, you would do 1 1/8 cup alcohol, 1/2 tsp witch hazel, 1/2 cup aloe vera gel, 3 drops peppermint oil and 5 drops tea tree oil.
To use, spray the backs and palms of your hands generously. Rub them together making sure to get your fingertips, the sides of your hands near your thumb and even your wrists.
The Aloe Vera gel will keep your hands softer than a regular hand sanitizer would and the essential oils make it smell refreshing as well as being used for natural antiseptic properties. Feel free to try another combination of scents if you want to! I suggest citrus essential oils as well.
It is very important for good hand hygiene that you only use hand sanitizers when hand washing is not available.
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Hi Christine, I was wondering if it would be okay to use witch hazel that contained alcohol, I can’t find the non-alcohol version in my supermarket. Thanks!
Sure, you can use that kind, but it may be a little more drying that the other formula. 🙂
Hi, so you know how long it will keep it using fresh aloe vera? I have tons of plants. Thanks!
I have not had mine sitting for longer than a few weeks, so I am not sure. It would certainly last longer if kept refrigerated most of the time. Also, it will keep for several weeks, I would think, because of the high alcohol content in this.
Looks so easy!! I can’t find aloe Vera gel anywhere because everyone wants it right now! I did find a gallon of pure aloe Vera juice. Is this an acceptable substitute? I know it would change the consistency.
It will change the consistency a lot and make your recipe not CDC complaint as the alcohol content would also be altered due to it. I suggest cutting the amount of aloe just down by about 1/2.
Hi Christine, Can you use anything other than the peppermint oil? Anything mint or cinnamon gives me headaches.
You do not have to use any at all if you don’t like 🙂 It is mostly there for fragrance.
Great! Thanks for sharing!
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