Living through a pandemic has taught us to appreciate the importance of hand sanitizer. It has become an essential item, often hard to find on store shelves. If you’ve been struggling to find your favorite brand or simply want to craft your own, you’ve come to the right place. Plus, if constant hand washing has left your skin feeling dry, a DIY sanitizer with aloe vera can provide some soothing relief. So, let’s dive into how to make it!
While the CDC emphasizes that washing hands with soap and water is the most effective method, using hand sanitizer is a practical option when soap isn’t available. This homemade recipe can be a gentle alternative to commercial products.
How to Create Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera
Making your own aloe vera hand sanitizer is quite easy! Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients and Supplies:
- 2 parts 99% Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol
- 1 part aloe vera gel (or fresh aloe from a plant)
- Essential oils of your choice (or lemon juice)
- Funnel
- Sealed container (bottle or jar)
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Mixing bowl
Instructions:
- Clean Your Workspace: Start by thoroughly sanitizing the area where you’ll be mixing your ingredients. Wipe surfaces with DIY disinfectant wipes or spray.
- Mix the Base Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the rubbing alcohol and aloe vera. Use a clean whisk to blend them well. If you’re using fresh aloe, a food processor or blender will ensure a smooth mixture.
- Add Fragrance: Your initial mix will likely have a strong alcohol scent. Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil—sweet orange and clove are great options! Many essential oils also have disinfectant properties.
- Blend Again: Whisk the mixture once more to incorporate the essential oils thoroughly.
- Store Your Sanitizer: Using a funnel, pour the mixture into a sealed container, catching any drips with a spoon. For a personal touch, consider labeling your container creatively.
Alternatives to Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
If you’re not a fan of rubbing alcohol’s strong odor and its drying effect, you might be tempted to create an alcohol-free version. However, it’s important to note that the CDC recommends that effective hand sanitizers contain a minimum of 60% alcohol to effectively eliminate germs. When you mix aloe vera with alcohol, the alcohol content decreases by about 33%. Thus, starting with 99% alcohol and using a 2:1 ratio, you end up with a sanitizer that’s roughly 65% alcohol.
You can also use 70% alcohol. If you do, just remember to adjust your proportions accordingly. For instance, if you’re working with 70% alcohol, use three cups of the alcohol and only ⅓ cup of aloe vera.
The Benefits of Aloe Vera
One of the advantages of making an aloe-based sanitizer is that aloe vera gel is much safer than many alcohol-based disinfectants. Aloe vera can also be consumed and has numerous health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels and possessing antioxidant properties. It’s a fantastic addition to your skincare routine too!
Leftover Aloe? Try These Cleaners!
If you have extra aloe vera, consider making a homemade cleanser. Here’s a simple recipe for a soft scrub cleaner:
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ½ cup of liquid soap
- 15 drops of rosemary or tea tree oil
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Mix these ingredients in a jar, adding aloe vera to keep it moist. It works great for scrubbing tubs and sinks, and you can rinse it away with a vinegar-water solution.
Alternatively, you can create a wooden surface cleaner using:
- Water
- Vinegar
- Olive oil
- Aloe vera
- Essential oils
This is perfect for dusting and shining wooden furniture around your home.
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If you’re interested in more DIY tips, you might enjoy reading this other blog post as well!
Summary
Creating your own hand sanitizer with aloe vera is both easy and beneficial for your skin. With just a few ingredients, you can concoct a gentle sanitizer that leaves your hands feeling moisturized rather than dried out. Plus, you can use any leftover aloe to create natural cleaners for your home.