How to Make Hand Sanitizer

Washing your hands with soap is of course better, but if you don’t have soap and water, hand sanitizer is the best alternative. Commercial hand sanitizers can be expensive, and with COVID-19 shortages, you may have to make your own. ^{[1] X Research Source} The process of making your own hand sanitizer is also very simple with a recipe that can be adjusted according to your preferences.

Table of Contents

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer

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Prepare materials. This type of hand sanitizer is similar to commercially available products, but without chemicals and unpleasant odors. You should not use hand sanitizer instead of washing your hands; Use this product only when absolutely needed. Here’s what you need:

⅔ cup 99% rubbing alcohol (aka isopropyl alcohol) or 190-proof vegetable alcohol (Do not substitute with other concentrated alcohols.)
⅓ cup pure aloe vera gel (no additives the better)
8-10 drops essential oil like lavender, clove, cinnamon or mint
Bowl
Spoon
Hopper
Plastic bottle

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Stir alcohol and aloe vera gel in a bowl. Pour ingredients into a bowl and stir with a spoon. The mixture should be stirred until smooth. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If you want a thicker mixture, add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
Or, dilute the mixture by adding a tablespoon of alcohol.

Add essential oils. You will add the essential oil drop by drop and stir the mixture well. After adding about 8 drops, smell the mixture to see if you are satisfied with the fragrance. Stop adding essential oils if you feel the mixture already has a pleasant smell. If you prefer a stronger scent, you can add a few more drops of essential oil. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Use any scent you like. The scents of lavender, cloves, cinnamon, mint, lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit are all suitable.

Pour the solution into the jar. Place the funnel over the mouth of the jar and pour the hand sanitizer into it. Fill the bottle with solution, then close the lid and use as needed. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Using a small spray bottle is more effective if you want to carry hand sanitizer with you when you go out.
If there is any excess solution left, pour the excess into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Hand sanitizer with witch hazel extract

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Prepare materials. Many people don’t like using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, because alcohol has a strong odor and dries out the skin. However, hand sanitizers with witch hazel extract are not effective against viruses and bacteria. ^{[5] X Research Source} If your goal is to protect yourself from viruses, don’t count on this hand sanitizer. Here’s what you need:

1 cup pure aloe vera gel (no additives the better)
1.5 teaspoons hazelnut extract
30 drops of tea tree oil
5 drops essential oil like lavender or mint
Bowl
Spoon
Hopper
Plastic bottle

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Stir in aloe vera gel, tea tree oil, and hazelnut extract. If the mixture seems liquid, add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel to thicken it. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of hazelnut extract.

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Add essential oils. Since tea tree oil already has a strong scent, you don’t need to add a lot of essential oil at this step. Adding about 5 drops of essential oil should suffice, but if you want to increase the amount of oil, add one drop at a time. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Pour the solution into the jar. Place the funnel over the mouth of the jar and pour the hand sanitizer into it. Fill the bottle with solution, then close the lid and use as needed. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Using a small spray bottle is more effective if you want to carry hand sanitizer with you when you go out.
If there is any excess solution left, pour the excess into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Warning

Do not let solution get in eyes! If you accidentally get the solution in your eyes, wash your eyes immediately or go to the nearest medical center as soon as possible.

Steps

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer with witch hazel extract

Warning

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