I stopped using commercial antibacterial hand sanitizers years ago. Not only did they have banned chemicals like triclosan, but they seemed like overkill. Over-frequent hand washing can render soap less effective and bacteria stronger, so I believed the same to be true for hand sanitizer. The FDA banned manufacturers from using triclosan, a common ingredient in antibacterial soaps and sanitizers in 2016 due to its ability to cause hormone disruption and a rise in resistent strains of bacteria. There you have it! Too much hand sanitizer can cause bacteria to rise up and against you in revolt.

There’s also tons of natural companies offering natural hand sanitizers in trendy packaging that are safe and gentle enough for kids, but just as effective as commercial hand sanitizers. It seems that Coronavirus has caused everyone to buy hand sanitizers in droves because all the store shelves are out of stock. If you’re looking to skip the store version and save money, I recommend trying out this DIY natural hand sanitizer recipe. You can modify this homemade hand sanitizer recipe to your preference and how strong you’d like it to be.

benefits of diy hand sanitizer

• save money by making your own DIY natural hand sanitizer
• customize it to your liking with essential oils
• essential oils inhibit bacteria naturally and may even help fight viruses
• simple and easy to make with as little as 2 ingredients

DIY hand sanitizer recipe

There are various recipes out there that involve adding vegetable glycerin or collodial silver, but I prefer a very simple recipe with ingredients you probably already have in your home. The best part is you can add any essential oils to create your own signature scent or replicate your favorite one!

Some info on the amount of rubbing alcohol to use. Everyone has their own expert opinion on this – feel free to use mine, your own, the government’s, your grandma’s – but here are some facts to help you make an informed decision. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says a solution of 60% alcohol will effectively kill bacteria. Meaning the hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol and 40% or less of everything else. According to Miryam Wahrman, a biology professor at William Paterson University, a recipe with 70% alcohol should be nine parts alcohol to one part aloe vera. A recipe with 99% alcohol could be three parts alcohol to two parts aloe vera.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp rubbing alcohol (I’m using 91% here but recommend at least 70% to kill bacteria)
• 1 tsp NOW Vitamin E oil (optional for skin moisturizing benefits)
• 8-10 drops of NOW tea tree essential oil
• Any other essential oils you’d like

Supplies

• small bowl
• empty spray or tube bottles
• small funnel

Instructions

1. Mix Aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol in a small bowl.
2. Add in Vitamin E oil, tea tree essential oil and other essential oils (lemon, lavender, and peppermint are great options)
3. Mix and add water if you need to reach desired consistency
4. Use a funnel to easily transfer the DIY hand sanitizer into an empty bottle

60% Solution Hand Sanitizer

If you’d like a strong hand sanitizer that follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of 60% alcohol then try the below recipe:

• 2/3 cup rubbing alcohl
• 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
• 10 drops NOW tea tree essential oil
• 1 tsp NOW Vitamin E oil (optional for skin moisturizing benefits)

DIY hand sanitizer SPRAY

To make a natural hand sanitizer spray, simply use a higher ratio of Rubbing Alcohol to Aloe Vera Gel and a bit of water. Here is a recipe for homemade DIY hand sanitizer spray:

• 4 tbsp rubbing alcohol
• 5 tbsp aloe vera gel
• 10-20 drops of tea tree essential oil (add any others for scent and therapeutic benefits)
• Bit of water

DIY hand sanitizer WITHOUT ALCOHOL

If you want an alcohol-free hand sanitizer switch the Rubbing Alcohol for Witch Hazel. Using witch hazel will make for a gentler hand sanitizer safe for kids and you’ll avoid the alcohol smell.

make it a LUXURY hand sanitizer

We are in the middle of a plastic-free movement people! Try not to buy those TSA-friendly plastic bottles you’ll find for cheap at drugstores. Recycle one of your skincare bottles (I know you hoard these!) or better yet recycle a glass face mist bottle for a luxury hand sanitizer spray. Hand sanitizing never felt so luxurious. I saved my empty 5YINA Summer Lucent Hydrolat white glass spray bottle from last summer’s Boxwalla subscription box and I am finally putting it to good use!