When you’re on the go and can’t find a place to wash your hands, hand sanitizer can be a lifesaver. Commercial hand sanitizer can get expensive, plus it has a chemical scent that many find unpleasant. Making your own hand sanitizer is a simple process that results in a formula you can customize to suit your personal tastes. Choose either alcohol or witch hazel-based sanitizer.
Step One
Witch Hazel-Based Hand Sanitizer - Gather your ingredients. Some people prefer not to use alcohol in their hand sanitizer, since alcohol has a strong smell and can have a severe drying effect on skin. Using a witch-hazel based sanitizer is a great alternative.[1] Tea tree oil provides additional antiseptic benefits. Here's what you'll need:1 cup pure aloe vera gel (preferably without additives),1 1/2 teaspoons witch hazel,30 drops tea tree oil,5 drops essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint,Mixing bowl,Spoon,Funnel,Plastic container.
Step Two
Stir together the aloe vera gel, tea tree oil and witch hazel. If the mixture seems too thin, add another spoonful of aloe vera to thicken it. If it's too thick, add another spoonful of witch hazel.
Step Three
Funnel the mixture into the container. Place the funnel over the mouth of the container and pour the hand sanitizer in. Fill it up, then screw on the lid until you're ready to use it.A small squirt bottle works well if you want to carry the sanitizer with you throughout the day.If you make too much for the bottle, save the leftover sanitizer in a jar with a tightly-fitted lid.
Step Four
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer - Gather your ingredients. This sanitizer closely emulates the commercial kind, without all the chemicals and without the bad smell. Hand sanitizer should not replace hand washing; just use it when you really need it. Here's what you'll need:2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or vodka,1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel (preferably without additives),8 to 10 drops essential oil, such as lavender, clove, cinnamon, or peppermint,Mixing bowl,Spoon,Funnel,Plastic container.
Step Five
Add the essential oil. Add it one drop at a time, stirring as you go. After about 8 drops, smell the mixture to see whether you like the scent. If it seems strong enough, stop there. If you like a stronger scent, add a few more drops.Lavender, clove, cinnamon and peppermint essential oils have the added benefit of providing additional antiseptic properties to the mixture.If you don't like these scents, it's fine to use whatever scent you enjoy. Lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit all work well.
Step Six
Funnel the mixture into the container. Place the funnel over the mouth of the container and pour the hand sanitizer in. Fill it up, then screw on the lid until you're ready to use it.A small squirt bottle works well if you want to carry the sanitizer with you throughout the day.If you make too much for the bottle, save the leftover sanitizer in a jar with a tightly-fitted lid.