*UPDATE: since the COVID-19 situation has become a pandemic, I urge you to stay calm and kind and share your resources if you can. This homemade hand sanitiser need to follow (or even exceed) the alcohol proportions to be effective. Also, remember that hand sanitiser does not substitute hand washing. Hoping you all stay safe and healthy.
Since going plastic free I stopped buying some non-essentials, like hand sanitisers. Nowadays, they are ubiquitous in mum’s handbags and I honestly feel like I should carry one with me at times. Specially since doing beach clean ups more recently.
Hand sanitisers come with a little controversy. Some argue that using it often can lead to bacterial resistance but this hasn’t been proved. Also, hand sanitisers do not substitute washing your hands. But they can be handy when you are out and about or in the car with not access to a sink and soap.
In my eagerness to avoid plastic and find a solution to this dilemma, I decided to give it a go and DIY my own hand sanitiser.
The good thing about it? It’s made with simple ingredients, it’s plant based and low toxicity.
So let’s get this DIY started, shall we?
DIY Hand Sanitiser
What I think I love the most about this recipe, is the fact that while it will disinfect your hands, it’ll also keep them moisturised because it’s made with glycerin and aloe gel.
I was also considering if I should go and buy aloe gel from a store, but since I have a few very thriving aloe vera plants I thought I could use some from my garden to make aloe gel.
To make aloe gel, you simply need: aloe vera leaves.
Simply cut a leaf near the root. Then, remove the spiky ends alongside the leaf. Using a sharp knife, peel the green part of the leaf and scoop the gel inside into a container.
Then, you can mix it using a mixer or blender or with a fork (and a little elbow grease).
Now, onto the recipe!
- ¼ cup of aloe gel
- 1 tsp glycerin
- ¾ cup + 1 tsp rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- In a bowl, add all ingredients and mix well.
- Using a funnel, pour contents into a container with a pumping top (I used an old but clean container).
- Store in a cool and dark place, like your bag.
- Apply generously when needed.
- Use within 1 month.
Peace & Love,
Larissa
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6 Comments
Heather
15/03/2020 at 2:43 pmYou mentioned “2/3 alcohol” in the ingredients. What is the 2/3 measurement? 2/3 cup? Thanks!
Larissa Tedesco
15/03/2020 at 3:06 pmHi Heather, yes it’s 2/3 of a cup. I’ll add it to the recipe to make it clearer. Thank you!
Rere
22/03/2020 at 1:59 pmHi there, thank you for sharing your recipe. Do you have any alternatives to isopropyl alcohol? Everywhere online seems to be sold out. Thanks
Larissa Tedesco
22/03/2020 at 8:24 pmHi there…sorry to hear. The only other option is alcohol that’s higher than 80-90% so you can still mix with a little aloe or water and make it effective. The ratio should be 70% alcohol and 30% other solvents (like the aloe vera/glycerin). So if the type of alcohol that you get is 80% you can add only 20% other ingredients on top to make your hand sanitiser. I’ll actually update the recipe to include this. Hope this helps and stay safe and healthy.
Jennifer Hewitt
29/03/2020 at 12:16 pmHi Larissa
Thankyou SO much for putting this online.
Wondering whether I could substitute the lemon oil with another aromatic oil?
Keep safe and we’ll.
Jennifer Hewitt
Larissa Tedesco
30/03/2020 at 10:10 amHi Jennifer, glad to hear it’s helpful. And yes, you can definitely substitute the lemon oil for whatever you have available.
Stay safe and healthy!