DIY hand sanitizer (& more)

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Update: This post was originally shared in 2015, but with the Coronavirus spreading, it is getting harder to get hand sanitizer in stores or online, so I wanted to reshare today’s recipe to help you learn how to make your own hand sanitizer.

If you want to learn how to make your own hand sanitizer, you are in the right place. This hand sanitizer recipe is easier than you might think! Plus, you can save a lot of money by making things yourself. When you can’t wash your hands with clean water and soap, you can grab this as a quick solution.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Store-bought hand sanitizer is something that we always try to keep on hand, but with it being low in stock, at times of illness, or when I want to be in control of how much I have, I just make my own. Of course, I always wash my hands with soap and water and remind our kids to do the same, but I love to keep this homemade hand sanitizer on hand, as well.

How Hand Sanitizer Works

Hand sanitizer recipes all need to have at least 60% alcohol. This percent of alcohol content is what makes it an effective disinfectant. I suggest using 99% isopropyl alcohol (99% Rubbing Alchohol) You can also use grain alcohol (ethanol is commonly available at around 90%-95%)

Note: Remember that there are some alcohols that are toxic, so we suggest sticking to rubbing alcohol. Also, remember that in order to be effective and work as a sanitizer, the world health organization states that you need to have at least 60% alcohol.

Equipment You’ll Need to make Hand Sanitizer:

Bowl for mixing
Spoon for mixing
Funnel
Either a bottle with a pump dispenser or just a small bottle (or a variety of portable bottles).

Materials/Ingredient’s You’ll Need for Hand Sanitizer

2/3 cup rubbing alcohol (99% Rubbing Alchohol)
1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
8 to 10 drops essential oil, optional (I use Young Living Essential Oils, but you can get them on Amazon, too.)
- - Suggested Scents: vanilla, lavender, grapefruit, peppermint, or drops of tea tree oil

Gather your ingredients.
Pour your 2/3 cup rubbing alcohol into a bowl. Be sure to measure correctly.
Add the Aloe Vera Gel
Add you’ve picked (you may want to add these to a bowl first, to be sure that you have the correct amount of drops).
Mix thoroughly with a spoon.
Put the funnel into the opening of a bottle & pour your mixed ingredients into the bottle, carefully.

That’s it! You’re all set!

More Recipes You Might Want to Make…

Homemade Disinfectant Wipes Without Bleach

1 cup of water
1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
2 Tbsp. Dawn dish soap (only use Dawn)
2 Tbsp. ammonia (optional)
24 rags – cut into squares.

Steps to Make Homemade Disinfectant Wipes

I cut them to about 4×6 inches but whatever size you have available or whichever size you need will work. I also use old washrags that have seen better days.
Mix the ingredients and pour over the rags.*
Then, when you need to clean your bathroom, use them as you would the disposable Clorox wipes.
The best thing about these homemade wipes is that you can just throw them in the washing machine and use them again! Really! It’s that simple!

*After you make this recipe, you will need to adjust how much of the mixture you pour over your rags. I didn’t have that many rags and they were pretty wet so I just used less of the cleaner.

DIY Face Wash

3/4 cup cooled organic brewed chamomile tea (or filtered or distilled water)
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 tsp almond oil
6 drops of Frankincense oil
6 drops of Lavender oil

In a bottle (I like to use the foaming bottles– I usually save them after I have used up my hand soap), add the soap and the almond oil. Add the Frankincense and Lavender oils. Fill the rest with the brewed tea (you can use just plain water, but I like the tea). Shake. You are all ready to go!

Homemade After Shave Recipe

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. cologne or perfume, more or less*

Mix rubbing alcohol and water. Add your favorite cologne. I just put several squirts in the mixture until it looks like about a teaspoon or two.

*Or you can just add one or two little cotton cologne samples (like Avon samples).

Large Homemade Ice Pack

2 cups of clean water
1 cup rubbing alcohol

Mix in a ziptop bag. I suggest double bagging it. Freeze. You can use it over and over. The heavy-duty freezer bags seem to work best for this homemade ice pack.

*When filling a bag with liquid or anything, place the bag in a bowl and fold the bag edges down over the bowl top then pour the liquid in.