How to Make Aloe Vera Hand Sanitizer
Arm yourself with this simple homemade hand sanitizer when handwashing isn't available.
The aloe vera is to help keep your hands smooth and to counteract the harshness of alcohol. If you own an aloe vera plant, you can use some of its gel for the recipe, or use a store-bought one.
It's a 4 ingredients recipe - but you can skip the essential oils.
The active ingredient in this hand sanitizer is alcohol, but the essential oils may also help protect you. Tea Tree oil has antimicrobial properties, and the lavender may help soothe your skin.
Note, though, that some people are sensitive to essential oils, even when it's diluted.
Hand Sanitizer Recipe
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ingredients
5 oz (2,5 dl) isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (93-99%)
1,75 oz (0,5 dl) pure aloe vera gel
5-10 drops lavender essential oil
10-20 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions:
Start by adding isopropyl or rubbing alcohol into a bowl, ideally one with a pouring spout like a glass measuring container.
Add the rest of ingredients (it all mix better if you start with the alcohol… it's a chemistry thing).
Blend with the stick blender or beat with a whisk to turn the sanitizer into a gel.
Pour the ingredients into an empty bottle for easy use, and label it “hand sanitizer.
How It Works
The active ingredient in this hand sanitizer recipe is the alcohol, which needs to comprise at least 60% of the product to be an effective disinfectant. The recipe calls for isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Please don't use any other types of alcohol (e.g., methanol, butanol), as they are toxic. Also, if you use a product that contains a lower percentage of alcohol (e.g., 70% alcohol), then you need to increase the amount of alcohol in the recipe, or it won't be as effective.
Essential Oils In Hand Sanitizer
In addition to adding fragrance to your hand sanitizer, the essential oil you choose may also help protect you against germs. For example, thyme and clove oil have antimicrobial properties. If you are using antimicrobial oils, only use a drop or two, since these oils tend to be very powerful and might irritate your skin. Other oils, such as lavender or chamomile, may help soothe your skin. Tea tree oil is antimicrobial but not as harsh as the ones mentioned above.
The Aloe Vera
The purpose of the aloe gel is to protect hands against the drying effects of alcohol. It's a humectant, which means it helps lock in moisture. Other humectants you can use instead of aloe include glycerin or hand lotion. However, it's still important to keep the alcohol in the final product at least 60%.
How To Use Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a handy, on-the-go way to help prevent the spread of germs when soap and water aren’t available. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help keep you safe and reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Only use homemade hand sanitizers when handwashing isn’t available for the foreseeable future.
Don’t use homemade hand sanitizers on children’s skin as they may be more prone to misuse them, leading to a higher risk of injury.
Spray or apply the sanitizer to the palm of one hand.
Thoroughly rub your hands together. Make sure you cover the entire surface of your hands and all your fingers.
Continue rubbing for 30 to 60 seconds or until your hands are dry. It can take at least 60 seconds, and sometimes longer, for hand sanitizer to kill most germs.
