Keeping your hands clean and germ-free means fewer chances of getting sick. To maintain hand hygiene and good health, it is imperative that you wash your hands with soap and water before eating food, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after playing with your pet and so on.
However, sometimes soap and water may not be at your disposal, especially when you are on the go. In such cases, a bottle of hand sanitizer can be a lifesaver.
While you have a number of commercial hand sanitizers to choose from, the high alcohol content, synthetic scents and chemicals used in making 99.9% germ-killing sanitizers can often leave your hands dry. Some sanitizers also contain triclosan to increase their antibacterial properties. However, triclosan can lead to hormonal troubles and create antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, which can be a matter of grave concern.
So why expose your delicate hands to those harsh chemicals and risk your health when you can easily make DIY hand sanitizer at home?
Homemade DIY hand sanitizers are not only safe for you and your kids to use but also super easy and fun to make.
You can either stick to making an alcohol-based sanitizer or use natural disinfectants like witch hazel, essential oils or sea salt. We have covered all of them for you.
Here are four easy-to-make DIY hand sanitizers you need to try right now!
Contents
Method 1: Rubbing Alcohol Sanitizer
Rubbing alcohol is a powerful antiseptic that can effectively kill even resistant bacteria. The dryness caused by rubbing alcohol is countered by the aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil used in this recipe. This DIY hand sanitizer also uses lavender essential oil that imparts a pleasing fragrance and peppermint essential oil that works as an antibacterial agent.
Things you’ll need:
- Aloe vera gel (hydrates skin) – 1 tablespoon
- Vitamin E oil (nourishes skin and increases shelf life) – 1 teaspoon
- Peppermint essential oil (antibacterial) – 6 drops
- Lavender essential oil (for fragrance) – 12 drops
- Rubbing alcohol (disinfectant) – 4 tablespoons
Step 1. Combine all the ingredients in a container
- Pour 4 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol into a container.
- Add 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil. The oil will also increase the shelf life of the sanitizer.
- Add 6 drops of peppermint essential oil.
- Add 12 drops of lavender essential oil.
Step 2. Whisk the ingredients and store in a squeeze bottle
- Using a hand blender, thoroughly mix the ingredients.
- Transfer the solution to a 4- to 6-ounce squeeze bottle for storage and ease of use.
- Your DIY hand sanitizer is ready to use when needed.
The shelf life of this sanitizer is 1 to 2 weeks.
Method 2: Witch Hazel Sanitizer
If you do not want to use rubbing alcohol, you can opt for this alcohol-free witch hazel sanitizer. It can easily disinfect your hands without making them too dry. It is also anti-inflammatory and soothing to the skin.
The recipe includes tea tree oil, which is a strong natural antimicrobial and used to treat a number of skin conditions. This sanitizer also uses aloe vera gel for its antiseptic properties and vitamin E to increase the shelf life and make the sanitizer more nourishing.
Things you’ll need:
- Vitamin E oil (moisturizes skin) – ⅓ teaspoon
- Tea tree essential oil (antibacterial) – 15 drops
- Witch hazel (disinfectant) – 1½ teaspoons
- Aloe vera gel (antiseptic) – ½ cup
Step 1. Combine all the ingredients in a container
- Pour ½ cup of aloe vera gel into a container. You can also make your own aloe vera gel.
- Add 1½ teaspoons of witch hazel to it.
- Add ⅓ teaspoon of vitamin E oil and 15 drops of tea tree essential oil.
Step 2. Blend well and store in a squeeze bottle
- Use a hand blender to mix the ingredients well.
- Transfer it to a squeeze bottle and use it like a regular hand sanitizer.
The shelf life of this DIY hand sanitizer is 1 to 2 weeks.
Method 3: Aloe Vera Sanitizer
You can also concoct this all-natural DIY hand sanitizer using aloe vera gel, along with a potent blend of selected essential oils, also known as thieves.
Things you’ll need:
- Vitamin E oil (nourishes skin) – ¼ teaspoon
- Clove oil (antimicrobial) – 2 drops
- Lemon essential oil (antibacterial) – 2 drops
- Cinnamon essential oil (antiviral) – 2 drops
- Rosemary essential oil (antibacterial) – 2 drops
- Aloe Vera gel (nourishes skin) – ¼ cup
- Distilled water – 1 to 2 teaspoons
Step 1. Combine aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil
- Pour ¼ cup of fresh aloe vera gel into a container.
- Add about ¼ teaspoon of vitamin E oil to it.
Step 2. Add the essential oils
- Add 2 drops each of clove, lemon, cinnamon and rosemary essential oils.
Step 3. Mix in distilled water and store in a dispenser bottle
- Add in 1 to 2 teaspoons of distilled water to get the desired consistency.
- Use a motorized blender to mix everything thoroughly.
- Transfer the sanitizer to a dispenser and use as needed.
The shelf life of this aloe vera hand sanitizer is 1 to 2 weeks.
Method 4: Sea Salt Sanitizer
Sea salt is the most basic and naturally occurring antiseptic, with enriching minerals that can be combined with potent essential oils to make a DIY hand sanitizer. The essential oils have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of their own that help fight off harmful bacteria and viruses and also soothe your skin in the process.
Things you’ll need:
- Lemon essential oil (antibacterial) – 3 drops
- Clove essential oil (antimicrobial) – 3 drops
- Cinnamon essential oil (antiviral) – 3 drops
- Eucalyptus essential oil (antiseptic) – 3 drops
- Rosemary essential oil (antibacterial) – 3 drops
- Sea salt (antiseptic) – ½ teaspoon
- Distilled water
Step 1. Mix sea salt and essential oils in a spray bottle
- Put ½ teaspoon of sea salt in a 4-ounce spray bottle.
- Add 3 drops each of rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils to it.
- Also add 3 drops each of lemon, clove and cinnamon essential oils.
Step 2. Fill up the bottle with distilled water, shake well and use
- Fill the spray bottle up to the brim with distilled water.
- Put the nozzle back on and shake it well to blend the salt, oils and water.
- Spritz it onto your hands and rub well to sanitize your hands.
This sea salt DIY hand sanitizer will stay good up to 1 month when stored in a cool, dark place.
Tips
- Essential oils are concentrated solutions, so use the appropriate quantities to avoid any adverse reaction.
- Do a patch test before using a DIY hand sanitizer in full swing. Some people may be allergic to certain essential oils or other ingredients.
- Keep the hand sanitizer out of the reach of children, as they may end up drinking the sanitizer, which can lead to severe repercussions.
Summary of How to Make DIY Hand Sanitizer
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Hi, thanks for the great article, do you have any idea to increase the shelf life?
Thanks
Hi Dimas
Thank you for the query.
See, all natural homemade products do not have a very long shelf life due to the absence of any chemical preservatives.
Here, the sea salt sanitizer will stay good for up to 1-2 months easily without any preservative as the ingredients used are something which do not have an early expiry.
However, for all the other recipes, which have aloe vera gel (freshly extracted), the shelf life can be increased by using store bought organic aloe vera gel.
We do not recommend adding any preservatives though. Even the stated recipes as is will remain good up to 2 weeks if stored in a cool, dark and dry place.
Hope this helps!!