Homemade hand sanitizer ingredients

Make Hand Sanitizer

2/3 cup 99 percent rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol or ethanol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
8-10 drops essential oil, optional
(such as lavender, vanilla, peppermint, grapefruit)
bowl and spoon
funnel
recycled liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottle

Mix the ingredients together and then use the funnel to pour them into the bottle. Screw the pump back onto the bottle and you're ready to go.

How It Works

The active ingredient in this hand sanitizer recipe is the alcohol, which needs to comprise at least 60 percent of the product in order to be an effective disinfectant.

Essential Oils in Hand Sanitizer

In addition to adding fragrance to your hand sanitizer, the essential oil you choose may also help protect you against germs. For example, thyme and clove oil have antimicrobial properties. If you are using antimicrobial oils, only use a drop or two, since these oils tend to be very powerful and might irritate your skin. Other oils, such as lavender or chamomile, may help soothe your skin.

Use it Right*

The sanitizer is only effective if you cover your hands thoroughly and then let it dry. Squirting a few drops into your palms and then wiping your hands isn’t going to help at all.

* After printing, we found this article that is worth reading. If you don't make it right, you won't be doing yourself any favors.