DIY Hand Sanitizer at Home – How to Make, Recipes, & More

Because of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) is advising proper hand hygiene, which has created a hand sanitizer “crisis.”

If you are reading this article, you are probably familiar with this situation and searching for ways to make your own hand sanitizer to protect yourself, your loved ones, and all of us! Regardless of COVID-19, you might want to make your own hand sanitizer for another reason!

Great news, it’s very simple to make hand sanitizer at home! Keep reading this article to find the best recipes for DIY hand sanitizer!

Please note, all of this is information that I have simply researched and compiled. None of this is meant to definitively treat or protect you against COVID-19, since a definitive treatment or protection from COVID-19 does not exist. For the most accurate information, please see the CDC website.

World Health Organization Approved Hand Sanitizer Recipes

Although the options that I will list below are slightly different and adjusted, there are two World Health Organization Approved homemade hand sanitizer recipes.

They are:

WHO Approved Formula 1:

• Ethanol 96%
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
• Glycerol 98%
• Sterile Distilled or Boiled Cold Water

WHO Approved Formula 2:

• Isopropyl Alcohol 99.8%
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
• Glycerol 98%
• Sterile Distilled or
  Boiled Cold Water

DIY Hand Sanitizer Ingredients – What Do You Need?

Here is a small explanation of these ingredients and why you need them, as well as a couple other possible ingredients you can include.

Alcohol

Alcohol will be the base ingredient in all of these at home hand sanitizer recipes! To kill the coronavirus or get the most out of a hand sanitizer, you need to use at least 60% alcohol!

Aloe Vera Gel

Alcohol usually dries out your skin, and having aloe vera as an ingredient of your DIY hand sanitizer will help you to avoid chapped skin! Also, aloe vera has potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Here is an excellent example of organic, cold-pressed aloe vera gel made from aloe vera leaves straight from the plant which you can use to help make a homemade hand sanitizer:

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel has antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as it has anti-irritant properties!

Here is an excellent option with rose, aloe vera, and grapefruit seed extract:

Essential Oils

There are many different essential oils that you can add to your DIY hand sanitizer. In my opinion, the primary essential oil you should use is tea tree oil because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, and a great smell.

But, you are free to use your favorite one!

If you are new to essential oils, here is a great starter pack for you, which includes six 100% pure and natural, USDA certified organic oils:

Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin serves as a great base for alcohol.

It attracts and locks moisture into the skin, as well as its pH level closely matches our skin’s. It is a great option for people with sensitive skin or kids.

Here is a great example of 100% pure vegetable glycerin:

Container

Most people have a container that they can use to hold their at-home hand sanitizers, in case you have no good options here are two great sets for you:

Travel Option:

Larger Glass Option:

Although you might think that it would be a great option, silicon containers aren’t suitable for alcohol-based products!

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipes

For each recipe, you can increase the volume by simply multiplying the amount of each ingredient in the ratio listed below.

DIY Aloe Vera Hand Sanitizer

This is my favorite recipe!

• 1 Tbsp. Alcohol (at least 60%)
• 1 Tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel
• 1-2 Drops of Tea Tree Oil (or your favorite essential oil)

Alcohol serves as a disinfectant, aloe vera serves as a base and keeps your hands moisturized, and tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties and provides a pleasant smell!

Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer

Here is a fancy recipe!

• 1 Tbsp. Alcohol (at least 60%)
• 1/2 Tbsp. Witch Hazel
• 1/2 Tbsp. Vegetable Glycerin
• 1-2 Drops of Tea Tree Oil (or any essential oil of your choice)

3-in-1 Hand Sanitizer

• 1 Tbsp. Alcohol (at least 60%)
• 1/3 Tbsp. Witch Hazel
• 1/3 Tbsp. Vegetable Glycerin
• 1/3 Tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel
• 1-2 Drops of Tea Tree Oil (or any essential oil of your choice)

Vegetable Glycerin Hand Sanitizer

Of course, you can use vegetable glycerin alone as a base!

• 1 Tbsp. Alcohol (at least 60%)
• 1 Tbsp. Vegetable Glycerin
• 1-2 Drops of Tea Tree Oil (or any essential oil of your choice)

Concluding Thoughts – Homemade Hand Sanitizer

As you can see, making your own DIY hand sanitizer is not difficult, and you can do it in just a couple of minutes! There is nothing complicated about it, and most people have these ingredients available at home!

Stay safe, and take care of your loved ones!