Learn how to make homemade hand sanitizer with only 3 easy to find, cheap basic ingredients. In fact, one ingredient can even be distilled water! This diy recipe is not a natural recipe however, it is what health experts claim is the absolute best way to protect ourselves from infectious diseases when hand washing is unavailable.
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Hand sanitizers are an absolute must during the coronavirus outbreak and the store shelves at the grocery store have been empty lately so I thought I would formulate an effective hand sanitizer that can not only be sprayed on your hands but also on other surfaces for further protection.
Hand sanitizers are the second-best way to kill germs on your hands after hand washing. My homemade hand sanitizer recipe is easy and fast to make with few ingredients. It is highly effective in stopping the spread of germs.
It is very important we get the alcohol concentration correct so let’s consult the medical advice of the CDC and the World Health Organization to make sure we come up with the most effective homemade hand sanitizer recipe.
Of course, it is an important thing to remember that hand washing is a much better way to kill germs and whenever you can wash your hands instead of use a hand sanitizer, you should. Good ole’ hand soap and clean water do the trick.
You’ve probably heard that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has recommended that you use 70 percent alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) in your homemade recipe or else it is not 100% effective so I’ve decided to create a recipe reflecting that proportion.
What Does the CDC Recommend?
The key to making an effective homemade hand sanitizer is to stick to a 2:1 proportion of alcohol to a water based ingredient. This keeps the alcohol content around 60 percent. This is the minimum amount needed to kill most germs, according to the CDC.
- 2 parts isopropyl alcohol or ethanol (91–99 percent alcohol)
- 1 part aloe vera gel
- a few drops of essential oil
Essential OiIs:
Alcohol is the ingredient that is meant to kill germs in this recipe. Adding essential oils are an effective bonus. Blends that contain cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary and clove such as Germ Fighter Blend, Shield Essential Oil Blend or Thieves (Young Living) are highly effective at killing germs. However, if you don’t have these essential oils or this particular blend, feel free to use the different essential oils you have on hand. Most if not all essential oils are antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti fungal. Tea Tree oil has powerful anti bacterial and antiviral properties and would be an effective ingredient.
If you don’t have any essential oils on hand then omit them but I would highly recommend you add them so that this recipe is at the upmost effectiveness.
Wondering where to get affordable essential oils that are organic? Plant Therapy is once of my favorite essential oil companies plus they offer free shipping!
How can I make NATURAL hand sanitizer at home? I wrote a post a while ago about germ fighting with essential oils. You might find it interesting plus, pick up a few more things you can do to protect yourself and your family. It is a more natural way to make your own hand sanitizer without alcohol. It uses the power of essential oils instead.
How to Make Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray
It is important to note that you need to practice a bit of quality control when making hand sanitizer. You must make sure you use sanitized, clean tools and a sanitized container before you begin. You can do this by boiling your tools and empty container before you add the ingredients.
What You’ll Need to Make Homemade Hand Sanitizer:
- 4 tsp. alcohol per 1 ounce spray bottle
- Top off with either Aloe Vera Gel, Distilled Water or Witch Hazel
- 10 drops of Germ Fighter, Tea Tree or Lavender.
- Small spray bottles
- Small Funnel
How to Make Homemade Hand Sanitizer w/ Alcohol
Materials
- 4 tsp. alcohol
- Top off with either Aloe Vera Gel, Distilled Water or Witch Hazel
- 10 drops of Germ Fighter, Tea Tree or Lavende
Tools
- Small Spray Bottles
- Small Funnel
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a 1 ounce glass spray bottle
- Replace the cap and shake!
Notes
- If you'd like to use a 2 ounce bottle use 8 tsp (2.7 tbsp.) of alcohol.
- For a 4 ounce bottle, use 5.5 tablespoons (16 teaspoons).Â
- Feel free to double, triple or quadruple this recipe. I have made it over and over but wish I would've made a large batch from the beginning. My kids, husband and mother all carry a bottle!
- I topped mine off with 1/2 aloe vera gel and 1/2 witch hazel. I didn't do all aloe vera because I was worried I wouldn't be able to spray it easily with only aloe. However, I think it would have been fine as long as your aloe isn't too thick.Â
- If you don't have witch hazel or Aloe Vera Gel, you can use distilled water and alcohol only if you need to make this recipe immediately.Â
- I recommend sticking with glass spray bottles especially if you are using essential oils.
Where to Buy Sanitizer Ingredients:
- 91% Rubbing Alcohol HERE
- Aloe HERE.
- Witch Hazel HERE
- Shield, Germ Fighter or Homemade Thieves
This recipe is based on a 1 ounce spray bottle. Find 1 ounce glass spray bottles HERE.
This recipe is going to dry our skin out but at this point in our Covid journey, I’d rather have dry hands then COVID-19 or any other virus or variant! Plus, I’ve got an easy recipe for dry hands any way!
You might also be interested in my Gardener’s Hand Salve which smells like heaven and does great for cracked hands. I also have a recipe for easy Hand Lotion.
What is the Best Homemade Hand Sanitizer?
In global situations like this, I believe using enough alcohol is necessary for an effective homemade sanitizer. I also think that adding essential oils as well as a hydrating ingredient is necessary at combatting the negative effects hand sanitizer can have on the skin. Also my homemade hand sanitizer can be made in seconds with minimal effort and minimal ingredients.
Many other diy hand sanitizer recipes use fresh aloe vera gel as the entire base nixing the water/witch hazel. This allows for more of a gel sanitizer consistency and is intended to be stored in a flip-top bottle. This method could combat the adverse effects of using so much alcohol but will take quite a bit more time to make.
How Do We Know This Homemade Hand Sanitizer Works?
This recipe creates a hand sanitizer that is more than 60% alcohol. According to the Center for Disease Control, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is effective at killing the COVID-19 virus, along with many other types of viruses, bacteria, and germs. However, you must make sure you use it correctly!
How to Properly Use Homemade Hand Sanitizer:
- Spray directly onto every part of the hands.
- Rub the liquid in, making sure to get in between the fingers and around the fingernails!
- Allow to air dry. A long wet time helps the effectiveness of the alcohol.
- Spray on surfaces like door knobs, cell phones, steering wheels and hard surfaces and allow to dry.
I use my own sanitizer multiple times a day. I spray it on my kids hands when they get in the car after school, I spray on my hands after every errand and even use on surfaces in my car. It’s a must have to protect yourself against flu/covid season.
This is an easy way to make homemade hand sanitizer cheaply! I have made several bottles and keep one in my bag and in my car. I like to spray my hands and even sleeves after going to a store. I also spray my steering wheel. This is also great to spray on your cell phone and any other hard surface you suspect might have germs.
Don’t forget that diffusing is a great way to kill airborne pathogens in your home! I have written a post all about how to get the most out of diffusing.
xx, Jenni
PIN IT!!!
I am confused about your recipe for hand sanitizer- not sure what “top it off” means. Can you give me percentages.
Cynthia-I mean to add your alcohol and then fill the remaining space in the bottle with the other liquid you choose. Basically you will use 70% alcohol and 30% liquid.
Can I use a thick aloe if I have a tube container that squeezes product out??
Terry-Sure but I think the amount of alcohol will make it too watery-You’ll probably have to experiment. You might have to water down the aloe.
Hand sanitizer plays a major role in today’s condition as people are asked to be clean every time by washing their hands regularly and maintaining their hygiene. The steps and tips mentioned to make a hand sanitizer by yourself will help us to make it at home. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Tom-You’re welcome!
Thanks Jenni! I’m not big on DIY but this is simple and I actually have everything. I have sprayer bottles from the little travel kits they sell at target, and always have rubbing alcohol, witch hazel and essential oils. Good to go!
Elizabeth-Hope you made it! Now I can’t find alcohol anywhere so that I can make more batches! This is a great recipe that gives me some peace of mind when going to the grocery store!
If you want to end up with a 70% alcohol solution in the finished product, you will have to use 99% alcohol to make the recipe.
what if I can only find 70% rubbing alcohol will that work and if so how do I mix.
Don-That is what I am using.
Thanks for your recipe! I did some research a few weeks ago on DIY hand sanitizer recipes. The proportions are, I believe according to CDC guidelines, 2/3 alcohol over 60 or 70%, like the currently unavailable rubbing alcohol, and 1/3 other, like aloe vera, glycerine, etc. These proportions show up in a number of DIY recipes online. I ordered glycerine online via Amazon. I also found some bottles of hair conditioner at a local grocery store to use as the other 1/3 part. I use the 151% alcohol Everclear, purchased at a liquor store, or the 151% rum, also at local liquor stores, if I can find those.
Salud!
When I said above, 151%, I meant, 151% proof, and these alcohols are over 70% alcohol.
Like some others have said, I think we are supposed to use a higher concentration of isopropyl alcohol–90%–because when it is diluted with aloe vera gel, it decreases the concentration of alcohol closer to 70%. What have you found? I don’t want to mix up a concentration that is only going to clean the soil off of my hands–not the germs.