Have you been searching far and wide for hand sanitizer? I know a lot of people have been. My husband's aunt called me last night because she can not find any at stores around her, and she was hoping that I could order some from Avon for her. They don't have any either, so instead, I told her how to make hand sanitizer herself. It's really quite simple, so I thought that I would share it with all of you too.
With all of the panic surrounding Coronavirus, or COVID-19, people are stocking up on things like hand sanitizer, face masks, water and toilet paper. I scroll through social media and see people complaining about their store shelves being empty. So I'm hoping that by me sharing this simple antibacterial hand gel recipe, that it will help you out. You can make a large batch and store it in a mason jar, then just refill the little squeeze bottles as needed.
Can you make your own hand sanitizer?
Hand sanitizer is really easy to make yourself with two ingredients. You can even add essential oils to it if you'd prefer that it be scented. The recipe that I am sharing below if for a simple and basic antibacterial hand gel that you can quickly make at home.
Is soap better than hand sanitizer?
Absolutely! You should still wash your hands regularly, and use antibacterial hand gel as a back up when you are out and about. Keeping your hands clean is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.
Learn how to make hand sanitizer
Make your own antibacterial hand gel by following the simple directions below.
Supplies:
- 2/3 cup Rubbing Alcohol
(at least 91%)
- 1/3 cup Aloe Vera gel
- Mini bottle
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine rubbing alcohol and Aloe Vera gel.
- Stir very well. Edited to add - you may want to shake it in a bottle or jar, to help it combine better.
- Pour into mini squeeze bottles.
Tips:
- Try to find the highest percentage of rubbing alcohol. Mine was 91%.
- I grabbed a pack of 3 mini squeeze bottles from the dollar store.
- Make a large batch of hand sanitizer and store in a mason jar
. Refill your smaller bottles as needed.
It's important to keep your home clean to help reduce the spread of germs too. We have a few recipes for homemade cleaners that you might like to try as well.
Margarette Kramer says
i tried this and the aloe didn’t mix well with the alcohol, it seperated and all the aloe is at the bottom of the bottle..do i have to add more aloe?
Windy says
It does separate just shake well before use. I added vitamin E drops on mine to prevent drying the hands
Melissa says
I am so sorry for the late response. I did not see this comment come through. You could add a little bit more aloe, or as Windy suggested, just shake it really well.
Lynne says
The second batch I made I used a whisk. It worked perfectly!
lobster says
It is often blackish green or brownish green above and yellow orange,
purple, or blue underneath.
Melissa says
That’s so strange. Mine is still the same color. Maybe try shaking it,a nd storing away from a window.
rebecca says
ooooh this is so helpful! thanks for sharing!
xxrebecca // http://www.rebeccapiersol.me
taylor says
I made this yesterday but mine is clear. Did you add food colouring?
Melissa says
No, my aloe was green. Yours was likely clear.
Shelia Poovey says
Our stores are also out of alcohol and alone vera gel because every nut ball has cleaned them out to, so thanks for the tip it’s a great one and I would do it but I have no ingredients to make my own.
Melissa says
We’re out of those things around here too. I’m down to one bottle, so I really hope I can find supplies soon!
Glenda says
You can also use witch hazel. As for aloe replacement try searching on here. There’s so many ways to make jt
Melissa says
Thanks Glenda.
La Quetta Ray says
How about using Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E and an Essential Oil in it. Tea Tree Oil is an antiseptic and Vitamin E will help soften hands. I’ve tried to find 91% Alcohol and it is out at most places too.
Melissa says
I’m having that problem now that I need to make more. Thank you for the suggestion.
Steph says
Some distillery’s are making large bottles of alcohol for hand sanitizing too . I used some tonight to make my sanitizer but then I looked at the ingredients and not 100% aloe as it states on the bottle . What type did you use ?
La Quetta Ray says
Kym Douglas on HALLMARK HOME AND FAMILY made a great homemade Hand Sanitizer spray! Just Google her name and Hand Sanitizer.
Tanya says
Does it dry ur hands?
Melissa says
No, the aloe helps to prevent that.
Kristie says
Can I use aloe squeezed from my aloe plant??
Melissa says
I am unsure of that. I don’t see why not though, as the aloe is just to ensure that the alcohol doesn;t dry out your hands.
Patricia says
Why does it always have to be Aloe Vera gel. There are others out there.
Thanks
Melissa says
This just happens to be the one that I use. I hope you find one that you like!
Tonia says
My Alcohol is 70% that’s i I could find will that work
Melissa says
I have seen others use that, though I prefer the higher volume.
Rebecca R. says
It (the end result) has to be above 60%! But remember to start with a higher percentage because everything you add to the alcohol lowers the percentage your sanitizer will be. I start with 90% and by the time I add the aloe Vera gel and essential oils I am probably down to 75%.
Marilynn Urban says
When I made this my aloe Vera clumped together and would not mix with the alcohol. Was I doing something wrong.
Melissa says
You could try shaking the bottle. That should help it all combine better.
Gina says
Thank You!
Gillian says
Hi,
Thank you for the directions.
If I cannot source the Aloe Vera Gel can I use a leaf from the plant?
I will peel the outer skin off, then blend the inside and add the rubbing alcohol
Melissa says
That may work, though I have not tried it. The aloe vera is pretty much so that the alcohol does not dry out your hands so bad.
Brooke says
WOW!! I will never purchase sanitize again. What essential oils have you tried? Thanks for the recipe.
Melissa says
I haven’t added any essential oils to mine.
Imelda says
I tried it and it worked. I used to shake the bottle every other day. My hands have not gotten dried at all.
The only problem is that I cannot find alcohol anywhere in the last 4 weeks to make some more.
Melissa says
I haven’t been able to either.
Elane says
I just made some sanitizer and it is watery. Yes I’m thing more aloe gel and maybe a little less alcohol.
Melissa says
Try shaking the bottle, as that may help thicken it. Using more aloe will make it have less of a disinfecting effect.
Bill says
To keep the alcohol content to at least 60% the mix should be 70% rubbing alcohol (91%). So 70/30 rubbing alcohol to Aloe Vera.
Angela Sanchez says
What would the ratio be if I use aloe juice instead of gel
Melissa says
I haven’t tried it, so I am not sure.
Deanna says
Thanks so much for the inspiration to try it!
I did find that it was too thin and runny with the ratios you gave. I did have to add more aloe. Adding the essential oil made it even thinner. So it definitely needed it. I used lemon and ginger essential oils.
I mixed mine in a blender and it was and easy to mix.
I love how it turned out and have bottles to share! Thank you!
Sherry says
Made the sanitizer and it turned out perfect. I’ve been every where looking for sanitizer and I remembered my mom putting alchohol on our hands
if the family was sick.
Thanks for sharing.
Elane says
Hi I just made a small batch of your hand sanitizer I just added about 5 drops of tree essentials oil for fragrance. Just want to know will it gel as it sits because it is watery.
Melissa says
Try shaking it. That usually helps to thicken it up.
Jennifer says
Thank you for this!! I just made some but it is very runny, liquid. Is that the consistency it is supposed to be? Or should i add more gel?
Melissa says
Try shaking the bottle, as that may help thicken it. Using more aloe will make it have less of a disinfecting effect.
Lori says
I’ve made 2 batches of sanitizer already. 1 of them I added a drop of hand lotion, it not only helped to thicken it, it also made my hands soft. Have you ever heard of using vodka or everclear?
Melissa says
That’s a great idea! I have hear people using those, but I never have, so I am not sure how well it works. I do know that it would need to be a certain proof to be effective at disinfecting.
Ken says
I read that people might be trying to make sanitizer with vodka. Is that gonna work?
Melissa says
I have hear people using those, but I never have, so I am not sure how well it works. I do know that it would need to be a certain proof to be effective at disinfecting.
Sue says
Alcohol needs to be minimum 70% to keep it antibacterial. Vodka does not have a high enough alcohol level.
Linda Erdmann says
Mine separated also. I even took a mixer and it still is separating.
Melissa says
You could try adding a little more aloe gel, though it will reduce the effectiveness.
Colleen says
We tried this it’s so liquidy. I added more aloe and it didn’t really help. Not sure what’s up
Melissa says
It is more of a liquid than gel. The gel is basically to help not dry your hands out so much.
Darlene says
Thank you for your recipe of hand sanitizer!