With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hand sanitizers on most store shelves are all but depleted. Take note that hand sanitizers shouldn’t be the go-to when trying to get rid of germs from your hands. Soap and water are still the most effective way of killing any germs or viruses present on your hands, but if you don’t have access to soap or clean water in the immediate sense, a hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
Below are some recipes for easy DIY Hand Sanitizers that you can do at home.
What do I need to make hand sanitizer?
When making your hand sanitizer at home you’re going to need some essential tools and ingredients. These are:
- Isopropyl or Rubbing Alcohol
Isopropyl Alcohol is an essential part of hand sanitizers, for maximum effectiveness make sure to use the recommended amount at least 75% to 99% alcohol volume. This is to ensure the hand sanitizer solution is strong enough to kill most germs and viruses present on your hands.
- Aloe Vera Gel
As Isopropyl alcohol with a 99% volume can be very harsh to one’s skin, adding Aloe Vera Gel can help counteract the harshness of the alcohol and prevent your skin from drying out and keeping it smooth.
- Essential Oils
Adding essentials oils such as lavender oils can add a soothing and pleasant smell to your homemade hand-sanitizer. Just be aware of potential skin allergy risks if adding any essential oils.
- Bowl, Spoon, Whisk, and a Funnel
Make sure to thoroughly cleanse these tools before using them as to not contaminate your hand sanitizer mixture.
- A Container or Spray Bottle
Have a container or spray bottle ready to place your finished homemade hand sanitizer in. Place your hand sanitizer in the appropriate bottle depending on their consistency.
- Gloves
Pure alcohol can be very intense, especially 99% alcohol volume, and can easily irritate bare skin, so wearing gloves during the procedure can help avoid potentially serious injuries and burns. It’s recommended to use sterile disposable latex surgical gloves to help avoid any contamination of your hand sanitizer ingredients.
DIY Recipes for Hand Sanitizers
Here are some DIY Recipes for Hand Sanitizers you can do at home:
The Simple Gel Hand Sanitizer Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup of 99% isopropyl alcohol
- ¼ cup of Aloe Vera Gel
- 10 or more drops of your choice of essential oils for smell
Directions
- Combine ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon, make sure to wear gloves to prevent any bare skin contact with pure alcohol.
- Mix with a clean spoon and then use a whisk to beat the mixture until a gel consistency is achieved.
- Once properly combined and the wanted consistency is achieved, carefully pour the mixture into an empty container bottle using a funnel for easy usage.
- Don’t forget to label the bottle with “Hand Sanitizer” for safety measures.
Hand Sanitizer Gel Recipe #2
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup of Aloe Vera Gel
- 2/3 cup of 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- 15 drops of lavender oil or other essential oils
Directions – Follow the directions above
Hand Sanitizer Gel Recipe #3
Ingredients
- Two parts of Isopropyl Alcohol
- One-part Aloe Vera Gel
- A few drops of essential oils such as peppermint
Directions – Follow directions above
The More Potent Spray Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces of isopropyl alcohol.
- 2 teaspoons of Glycerol – this is the substitute for Aloe Vera gel; you can buy plenty of glycerol online.
- 1 tablespoon of Hydrogen Peroxide – can also be bought online.
- 3 fluid ounces of distilled or boiled then cooled water.
Directions
- Combine ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon, make sure to wear gloves to prevent any bare skin contact with pure alcohol.
- Use less water if you’re using isopropyl alcohol with less % of pure alcohol to ensure proper ratios.
- Once finished mixing, carefully load the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Don’t forget to label the bottle with “Hand Sanitizer” for safety measures.
Will these be as good as store bought hand sanitizers?
Probably not.. But as long as your final mixture contains at least 60% alcohol, then it will still work fine to kill germs and viruses, including COVID-19.
Hand sanitizers shouldn’t replace soap and water when trying to get rid of germs and viruses from your hands. Only use them when you don’t have immediate access to soap and clean water. The recipes above should help you make your DIY hand sanitizers easily when you can’t acquire them from shops. Be sure to practice caution during the process to avoid serious injuries.
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Beauty and Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
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