There is so much buzz about DIY hand sanitizer right now. With Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading rapidly and the hand sanitizer supply completely depleted, people are turning to homemade hand sanitizer recipes. These recipes include 3 ingredients: isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) OR ethanol alcohol (grain alcohol), aloe Vera (or vegetable glycerin), and essential oil for fragrance.
According to doctors and common sense, you should be washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds as the first course of action. Additionally, it’s important to dry your hands thoroughly after washing. Leftover moisture can pick up germs onto your just cleaned hands. Check out this article which states that “Hand drying completes the much-advocated habit of regular hand washing. It is the final act that ultimately prevents the spread of bacteria after hand washing.”
However, if you are unable to wash your hands and need hand sanitizer as an alternate disinfecting method then diy hand sanitizer could be your best bet. If you are going to make your own DIY hand sanitizer then make sure you do it correctly.
How To Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
True hand sanitizer has a specific and required alcohol percentage of at least 60% after it is prepared. Since you make it as a ratio of 2/3 alcohol to 1/3 aloe Vera gel, then you must use a high enough alcohol content for the dilution that occurs after mixing with the aloe vera and essential oils.
According to various sources, like Newsflash, the proper isopropyl alcohol homemade hand sanitizer needs is at least 91% and up to 99%. Since this is intensely drying to your skin, the aloe Vera adds moisturizing properties. Essential oils like tea tree or eucalyptus can be added for fragrance, added antibacterial properties, and a tad more moisture. Use about 5-10 drops of essential oils of your choosing. Ones with antibacterial properties are included in the homemade hand sanitizer recipe below.
It is not recommended to use vodka or any alcohol besides the ones listed below.
The following is a DIY recipe for hand sanitizer that is based on the one by The World Health Organization. They do say that there is evidence that if your hands are visibly dirty, then hand sanitizer is less effective and hand washing should always be your priority when possible.
*You should always consult your doctor with questions on your health. *This is not intended to diagnose or cure any disease, nor is it an endorsement or treatment.
DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe
DIY Hand Sanitizer
3 ingredient homemade hand sanitizer includes ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, aloe vera gel, and essential oils.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup isopropyl alcohol or ethanol alcohol – at least 91%
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
- 3 drops eucalyptus essentail oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
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Wear gloves. Sanitize a bowl, spoon, funnel, and bottle that you will be storing this solution in.
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Then mix together the ingredients.
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Set funnel inside the bottle.
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Pour in the hand sanitizer.
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Close the bottle.
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To use, rub a dime size amount of DIY hand sanitizer. Rub your hands thoroughly for at least 15 seconds.
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Follow with moisturizer, as hand sanitizer is very drying to skin.
Should You Make Your Own DIY Hand Sanitizer?
Since hand sanitizer is in high demand and is virtually impossible to find any in stores or online right now, everyone is turning to making your own hand sanitizer. So the question is, does it work to make your own? Check out this article from TODAY on what experts are saying.
The answer is, it depends on if you are making it correctly. There are some things to keep in mind so your DIY hand sanitizer is effective. Also, there is the argument that no matter how you make it, it won’t be as effective as the professionally created ones. But here are some tips if you do decide to go the homemade hand sanitizer route.
First, make sure that everything you use to make the hand sanitizer is sterilized so you aren’t already starting with a compromised solution. Also, wear gloves when dealing with such a high concentration of alcohol to protect yourself as well.
Second, make sure that you are using the correct ingredients. This means, you should not be using drinking alcohol like Tito’s Vodka. The only recommended alcohol for homemade hand sanitizers include ethanol and isopropyl alcohols. Furthermore, they need to be at least 91%, as you are diluting this alcohol once you add the aloe vera and essential oils.
Also, make sure that you are storing it properly in secure bottles. I would go with glass bottles since essential oils can break down plastic over time. Label the bottles so everyone knows what’s in it. And of course, do not ingest this DIY Hand Sanitizer.
I am working with a highly regarded doctor friend of mine to come up with more information on the Coronavirus and how to protect yourself and your family. So far, she is advising the same as you are hearing on the news. This includes to wash your hands frequently, stop shaking hands with people, stay 6 feet away from people if you are out in public, and stay home if you are sick or just don’t need to be out and about.
Some doctors and nutritionists are advising to eat more fruits and vegetables to increase your immunity, though note that isn’t proven to prevent Coronavirus. Also, wash your hands immediately when you come home, disinfect your phones and devices frequently, and make sure to disinfect doorknobs and areas of your home that have frequent contact with hands. My doctor friend will be doing a guest post on my blog soon, so stay tuned!
Be part of this COVID-19 discussion. What are your thoughts on what is happening? Are you an expert and want to add some info to this post or write an informative guest post on my blog? Email me or join me on Instagram to collaborate.
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For more Coronavirus preparedness, check out How To Freeze Fresh Fruits & Veggies.