If you’re not able to wash your hands while you’re out and about, hand sanitiser is the perfect solution. Applying hand sanitizer is much quicker than finding the nearest bathroom to give your hands a wash, and it still works effectively in killing any lingering bacteria. Hand sanitizer is also less irritating to your skin than certain soaps, which can be a bonus if you like to maintain high levels of personal hygiene.
If you’ve found yourself in a situation where commercial hand sanitizer isn’t available, or you’d rather go the natural route, it’s pretty easy to make your own DIY version of the popular product.
The good thing about DIY hand sanitiser is that it contains ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards at home. You’ll be able to carry it with you as you would a commercial hand sanitiser for whenever you might need it. Nothing beats washing your hands, of course – but hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes
Because it’s always nice to have multiple choices, we’ve put together two DIY hand sanitiser recipes for you to pick between. Both recipes use alcohol as a key ingredient, and it’s a good idea for your sanitizer mix to be at least 60 percent alcohol if you want it to be effective.Â
Even better than that, aim for a minimum of 75 percent. If you can get your hands on a bottle of 99 percent isopropyl alcohol, that’s going to be the best thing to use.
The first recipe is probably the one you’ll consider primarily, as it contains the sorts of ingredients you’re more likely to have in your cupboards already. If you’re in an emergency situation, this recipe is the one for you. You’ll need:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Aloe vera gel
- Tea tree oil
To make this recipe, all you’ll need to do is mix 3 parts isopropyl alcohol to 1 part aloe vera gel. Keep mixing until the liquids have merged – this shouldn’t take more than a minute. That’s about as much as there is to it – you can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to give it a nicer smell, but it’s not essential.
This mixture will be thick, so you’re best putting it into a bottle with a lid that can be easily opened, allowing you to pour a small amount of the formula into your palms whenever you need it. A spray bottle probably won’t work too well in this situation. Make sure whatever bottle you choose has been sterilised in hot, soapy water beforehand.
The second recipe is slightly more complex, and you may find it more difficult to find the ingredients to make it in your local supermarket right now! Still, it’s a less sticky version of recipe number 1, so it’s a good option if you have more time on your hands, or you’re fortunate enough to live near a supermarket that hasn’t been raided by your fellow shoppers. You’ll need:
- Isopropyl alcohol     Â
- Glycerol or glycerin
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Distilled water
- Spray bottle
To start, mix 12 ounces of alcohol with 2 teaspoons of glycerol. Glycerol isn’t the most common ingredient, but you’ll be able to purchase it online, and don’t go without it –it’s needed to keep the alcohol from drying out your hands.Â
That said, if you really can’t find glycerol, you’ll still be able to proceed with the rest of the recipe anyway. Just make sure to keep your hands safe by moisturizing after applying the sanitizer.
Next, mix in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, then 3 ounces of distilled or boiled water. Make sure the water is cool before adding it.Â
This should create more of a spray-like than gel-like substance, so your best option is to add the formula to a spray bottle for easy application. For even more convenience, you can use the formula to wet a paper towel, which can be used as a sanitizing wipe.
To finish off, add a splash of your favourite essential oil to the formula to give it an invigorating scent. Who knows, your peers might enjoy the aroma of your sanitizer so much that you could successfully turn your hobby into a new business (we’re joking, of course!).
Conclusion
Making your own hand sanitizer is surprisingly easy – you just have to make sure you don't mess it up. You’ll need to check that any tools you use for mixing are properly sanitized, or you might end up with the irony of contaminating the whole thing.Â
It’s also recommended by the World Health Organization that you let your concoction sit for at least 72 hours after you’ve properly formulated it. In this time, the sanitizer can kill the majority of bacteria that might have been introduced during the mixing process.
The next time you storm out of the shops in frustration because there’s no hand sanitizer yet again, remember there’s a simple solution to your problems, and it’s most likely sitting in your cupboards at home! DIY hand sanitizer is better for the environment and your health, and it works almost as effectively as the commercial stuff. If you’re currently stuck at home with nothing better to do, give these recipes a try today!
Failing that you can always buy natural hand sanitizers here –
- Made with 62% ethyl alcohol, Honest plant-based Hand Sanitizer Spray effectively kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria
- Quick-drying formula is made with a combination of naturally-derived glycerin and aloe to help leave skin feeling soft + moisturized without a sticky residue
- Perfect for on the go, especially when there's no soap + water around; whether you're on a plane, at the grocery store, or at the playground, we got you covered
- Made without: synthetic fragrances, parabens, phenoxyethanol, or chlorine processing
- Help your family and those you care about kill germs on their hands with PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals, made with naturally derived alcohol
- Proven to kill germs with 2x sanitizing strength
- ECOLOGO certified with essential oils and natural skin conditioners and is free of triclosan, parabens, phthalates, and other unnecessary ingredients
- Large one-liter bottle is ideal for frequent hand sanitizing, like in homes, schools, and offices—or use it to refill PURELL Aluminum Hand Sanitizer Bottles (sold separately, SKU 3282-12KIT-EC)
- Help your family and those you care about kill germs on their hands with Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals, made with naturally derived alcohol
- 2X Sanitizing Strength. 1 squirt of Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer equals 2 squirts of other national brands. Outperforms other sanitizers ounce-for-ounce
- EcoLogo certified with essential oils and natural skin conditioners is free of triclosan, parabens, phthalates and other unnecessary ingredients
- Place this 2 Ounce pump bottle in your purse, gym bag, or diaper bag. Reach for the Purell bottle when you need to kill germs, refresh or clean-up in a hurry