A natural and effective hand sanitiser recipe you can make with just a few simple ingredients. The most effective homemade sanitiser recipes will generally have an alcohol content of 60%, following a 2:1 ratio with two parts alcohol to one part moisturiser.
I’m not a fan of commercial hand sanitisers (no surprises there). I’m not really one to use antibacterial soaps, sprays, or strong cleaners at home because I believe that having a little bacteria around is a good thing.
Rather than using commercial hand sanitisers, which contain chemicals like triclosan, and have the ability to disrupt hormones and contribute to a rise in resistant strains of bacteria, I’ve developed my own natural (but strong) hand sanitiser which I find works wonders, without the need for harsh chemicals.
I can understand the appeal of killing “99.9% of germs and bacteria” when you have your family’s’ health in mind, and illness for one usually means illness for all. However, using soaps, wipes, and cleaners labelled “antibacterial” may not be the best choice, as Katie Wells from the health and wellness website, Wellness Mama, shares. One example, is that standard hand washing has been found to be just as effective as antibacterial soaps and sanitisers, and is a good first line of defence.
Another reason, is that the .1% of bacteria remaining behind from antibacterial products, which promise to kill 99.9% of germs, are usually the most potentially harmful strains, as they may resist antibacterial chemicals, leading to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
Triclosan, a common antibacterial agent used in many soap products, can interact with chlorine found in normal tap water and form a gas known as chloroform. Plus, this antibacterial chemical has been found to disrupt normal hormone function in the body.
Another interesting note to add here is that, exposure to different types of bacteria, particularly earlier in life, may help in establishing a healthy immune system. There has been a correlation between children who grow up in an overly sterile environment potentially having an increased risk of developing conditions like asthma and allergies than those who don’t use antibacterial products as much.
Now, just to be clear, I’m not saying to shun the sterilisers and soaps completely. I just think it is important to be more conscious of what we put in/on our bodies, how often we use antibacterial products, and whether it’s really necessary.
Before we get started in learning how to make this natural hand sanitiser, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!
Homemade Natural Hand Sanitiser
Below is one of my favourite hand sanitiser recipes that I like to make for myself and my family. Please be advised that it is not child-friendly due to its strength and essential oil potency. For a hand sanitiser option that is safe for kids, please see here.
Rather than using chemical-filled antibacterial agents, certain essential oils can be used as a natural alternative that may help in inhibiting bacterial growth naturally.
For a product to qualify as a sanitiser, it must have a minimum alcohol content of 60%. The website, Homestead and Chill, shares a great post about the percentages of rubbing alcohol needed to make a sanitiser that contains 60% alcohol.
The recipe below makes enough for a 2-ounce (60 mL) bottle.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup 91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or 190 proof alcohol
- 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
- 10-20 drops tea tree oil or other antibacterial essential oils including clove, thyme, lemon, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, or peppermint (be careful of any phototoxic oils that can burn the skin if exposed to sunlight)
To Make:
- In a blender, combine the alcohol and aloe vera gel together until the ingredients are well combined. A blender will give the best results as it can be challenging to mix the alcohol and the aloe vera gel by hand.
- Next, add the tea tree oil (or other essential oil(s) of choice) and then blend again.
- Transfer the mixture to a glass pump bottle. Before, each use, shake well to combine as the ingredients may separate slightly.
- If you choose to use fresh aloe vera gel in this recipe, please note that it isn’t advisable for storage on the counter at room temperature, so please keep the hand sanitiser in the fridge between uses, and be aware that the shelf life may not be as long as commercial sanitisers.
- To use this hand sanitiser, apply a good amount of the sanitiser to your palms and then rub the hands together, making sure to rub the fingers and tops of the hands with the sanitiser, too. Keep rubbing the picture into the skin until the hands feel dry.
- Always test a small amount of the product on a tiny patch of the skin first, to ensure there are no adverse reactions.
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
Have you made your own sanitiser before? How did it go? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
Vanessa
