An effective recipe for homemade hand sanitizer – with just a couple of ingredients you can make this hand gel DIY in no time.
Hand sanitizers are very handy on the go and are one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and viruses. But using a hand sanitizer should not replace washing your hands with soap and water. It’s better to use it only as a last resort.
Especially if your hands are very dirty or greasy, hand sanitizer won’t be able to clean them well. Always opt to first wash your hands and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can reduce the number of microbes within 60 seconds. That’s why it’s important to rub your hands with the sanitizer until they are dry. You can read more about how to effectively clean your hands here.
To make an effective hand disinfectant at home, it’s very important to use a high alcohol % solution. Please note that none of the drinking spirits have high enough alcohol % content so don’t use them. For a hand sanitiser to be effective, it needs to be at least 90% alcohol.
So, you can use isopropyl alcohol or ethanol (91% to 99% alcohol). These are denatured alcohols – a type of spirit that is not for human consumption.
Aloe vera is another great addition to a homemade hand sanitizer. It is used to soften and moisturize the skin after it has been dried from the harsh alcohol.
Moisturising the skin is important since cracks in the skin can increase the risk of infection. You can use a store-bought gel, just make sure is doesn’t have a lot of additives. Or, you can use the gel directly from the Aloe vera plant.
Another ingredient to add, but completely optional, is a few drops of pure essential oils. Essential oils not only add a nice scent to the mix but also have extra benefits.
You can add some lavender, clove, eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree essential oil. In the absence of essential oil, you can use the juice of a lemon.
I choose Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) for its many scientifically backed benefits.
What’s needed for the homemade hand sanitizer
- rubbing alcohol 99%
- Aloe vera gel
- Natural essential oil (diluted using a carrier oil)
You will also need:
- a dispenser bottle (or bottle from a liquid soap)
- a glass container for mixing, ideally with a pouring spout
- gloves
How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
First, make sure that your countertop and tools are very clean. Wash your hands and tools thoroughly and disinfect the surface. Make sure to properly sanitize your dispenser bottle(s) as well so you don’t contaminate the gel.
To protect your hands while mixing, I recommend using gloves.
Pour all the ingredients in a glass measuring container or a bowl.
Stir well or whisk until the ingredients are well blended. You need to obtain a uniform solution.
Pour the mixture into a dispenser bottle (or a bottle from liquid soap, sanitised).
Your hand sanitiser is ready to use.
Ideally, let your hand gel sit for 72 hours so the sanitizer can kill any bacteria that has been introduced into the mix while preparing.
Give the bottle a good shake every couple of days.
Always maybe sure to rub the gel on your hands well until they are dry.
Here are a couple of other DIYs for cleaning products that you can make at home
- Non-Toxic Natural All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner
- Beginners Guide: How to make soap at home
- DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub Recipe
- Organic Rose Water
If you have any questions, then feel free to ask them in the comments below. You can also tag me in your recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie.
Effective Homemade Hand Sanitizer Gel
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol 99%
- 1/4 cup Aloe vera gel
- 10 drops essential oil
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil I used coconut oil (to dilute the tea tree essential oil)
Note:
- this is the ratio to use when mixing the sanitiser. You can adjust the amounts if you want to make a bigger or smaller batch.
Suggested Equipment
- Dispenser bottle (or a bottle from liquid soap)
- Glass container for mixing, ideally with a pouring spout
- Gloves
Instructions
- Clean the countertop and tools you will use to avoid contamination of the hand sanitiser. To protect your hands while mixing, I recommend using gloves.
- Pour all the ingredients in a glass measuring container or a bowl.
- Stir or whisk until the ingredients are well blended.
- Pour the mixture into a dispenser bottle (or a bottle from liquid soap, sanitised).
Ideally, let your hand gel sit for 72 hours so the sanitiser can kill any bacteria that has been introduced into the mix while preparing.
Give the bottle a good shake every couple of days.
Zalina Berkaeva
Hi! Did you use aloe Vera gel from shop or handmade?
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi Zalina,
I make the gel at home. I often buy Aloe Vera leaves and extract the gel myself. I blend it for a few seconds to achieve a more uniform texture (rather than have it shaped like a piece from the leaf) and voila 🙂
Kakia
What brand is your wonderful label maker?
Congratulations for your ideas, I love them!
AlphaFoodie
Hi Kakia, thank you so much, I use Dymo from omega. I bought it online.
Selene
Wonderfull DIY. I wonder How the consistency is?
AlphaFoodie
It’s very liquid-y. The aloe gel is used more for moisturizing and doesn’t actually make the consistency very ‘gel’ like when combined with the alcohol.