Learn how to make homemade hand sanitizer using rubbing alcohol, aloe vera, Vitamin E oil, and essential oils.
Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe
While hand washing is always one of the best ways to rid your hands of germs, hand sanitizer can do the trick in a pinch when there’s no soap and water at hand.
Hand sanitizer is portable and easy to use when you’re out and about. If you’re looking for a more natural solution, then this natural hand sanitizer recipe is perfect for you!
Let’s talk about the ingredients first.
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Homemade Hand Sanitizer Ingredients
This homemade hand sanitizer recipe includes 4 ingredients:
- rubbing alcohol
- aloe vera gel
- essential oils
- vitamin E oil
Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is antibacterial and can kill viruses. For the best results, it’s recommended that you use a concentrate percentage of 60 or above. Below 60 may not be as effective at killing germs. For this recipe, I used a 91% concentrate.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera has a calming effect on the skin, which makes it a great ingredient to use in conjunction with rubbing alcohol. It can also kill many strains of bacteria and viruses. Aloe vera gel can be harvested directly from a plant or it can be store bought.
Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E is good for the skin as it helps with cell regeneration, but it also can be a natural preservative for aloe vera if you’re not using a store bought product.
Essential oils: Quite a few essential oils are known for their germ fighting properties.
In this recipe, I use Sweet Orange, Lavender, and Tea Tree from Simply Earth. Sweet Orange is antimicrobial. Lavender is both antibacterial and antiviral. Tea Tree is also antibacterial and antiviral.
Note: Some essential oils are not recommended for children. Also, a little bit goes a long way.
Can You Make DIY Hand Sanitizer without Rubbing Alcohol?
If you are concerned about using rubbing alcohol in this recipe, you can eliminate it. The essential oils will still have germ fighting properties and the recipe will still be good enough in a pinch, even though it would be more effective with the rubbing alcohol.
What You’ll Need and Where to Find It
You’ll need the above ingredients for this recipe, plus a few tools to help make the recipe.
I got all of the essential oils and the aloe vera from Simply Earth. They
I ordered the Vitamin E oil on Amazon.
The rubbing alcohol can be found at grocery, box stores, and drug stores.
I found these silicone leak proof travel bottles that are perfect for this natural hand sanitizer recipe. Some of these kits on Amazon come with little funnels.
To mix the ingredients, I used a wooden popsicle stick and a small bowl. Make sure to properly clean the bowl when you are finished making the recipe!
Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 60-70%
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 5 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
- 3 drops Lavender essential oil
- 3 drops Tea Tree Oil
- 5-10 drops Vitamin E (optional)
- Mix essential oils together in a small bowl.
- Add in aloe vera gel. Mix well. (Optional: If using aloe from a plant, or if you just want the added skin benefits, add Vitamin E.)
- Add in rubbing alcohol. Mix well.
- Use a funnel to pour ingredients into a small squeeze bottle.
That’s it! It should take only a few minutes to make.
Do You Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer?
Do you make your own? What ingredients do you use?
I’d love to know about other natural recipes out there!
Marcel says
I’ve just discovered you recipe and looks interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Pamela McKain says
I followed the recipe & when I added the aloe Vera gel, the gel turned into a fibrous clump. What did I do wrong?
Marissa says
Hmm. That’s odd! Did you use fresh from the plant aloe? The only thing I can think of is that if yes, then the pulp may have coagulated. The pulp can be strained if the aloe is put into a blender and then through a strainer. Hope that helps!
NancyAnn Gambino says
Hi
To clarify the 60-70% alcohol..is that the ratio of the actual strength? I’ve made a few batches using 70 % of Isopropyl alcoholbut, now I’m seeing recent articles that call for 91% . I now have both and in will use the 91%. Please clarify. Had there been new data regarding the strength of alcohol to kill the corona virus? Thanks much!
Marissa says
Hi! What a great question. I too have seen conflicting articles about what strength of rubbing alcohol to use. I used 91% in my recipe, but I have read that using that strength isn’t always necessary. In my opinion, as long as it is above 60%, it should work just fine.
Flipper says
The alcohol strength is wrong. If you are mixing ingredients to alcohol it will be diluted. Start with 91 to 99.7% isopropyl or ethanol. Having problems with aloe vera? Add aloe vera first, then add tiny bits of alcohol and stir. Once half of the alcohol has been mixed in with the aloe, add the remainder.
Marissa says
Thanks for the tips!