If you can’t find hand sanitizer in your local market or drug store, why not make it yourself?
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., updated her recipe for hand sanitizer on March 2.
Some commercially-made hand sanitizer contains ingredients as scary as the germs it is designed to protect you from. So why not make your own from ingredients you select? This is an excellent project for kids as well as adults since it can be expanded to include a discussion about hygiene and disinfection. You’ll save money, protect yourself from germs, and can customize the scent of the hand sanitizer so it doesn’t smell medicinal.
Ingredients
2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (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
Making Hand Sanitizer
Nothing could be easier!
Simply 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% 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.
Published: Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:00:43 +0000 by p.gabris