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:
![Aloe Vera Gel - Organic Aloe Vera Gel Cold Pressed - Organic Aloe for Healthy Skin, Hair & After Sun Relief - Made from Aloe Vera Juice Straight from the Plant [8oz Size]](https://28n58y3bvd7h23hprg38i684-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=aHR0cHM6Ly9tLm1lZGlhLWFtYXpvbi5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL0kvNTEzeTQtVEs5MUwuX1NMMTYwXy5qcGc%3D)
- ORGANIC ALOE: From nature’s aloe plant direct to you. Feel the difference with pure organic aloe leaf straight from nature to you.
- aloe vera gel 100 percent pure: Because it’s Organic with no toxic chemicals, it absorbs just like fresh Aloe Vera leaf juice. Soothes and hydrates dry, rough or itchy skin on contact. A couple of pumps is all it takes! It’s never hard, sticky or lumpy.
- SOFTENS SKIN: Organic Aloe Vera Gel improves the skin's elasticity and overall texture so that it is soft & supple.
- FEEL THE DIFFERENCE: 100% Certified Organic. Cut fresh from the Aloe Plant. IQ Natural Aloe Vera Gel is direct from nature to you. Not loaded down with
- Aloe vera lotion - Great Aloe vera gel for face. This aloe lotion is fast acting and drys fast without sticky residue.
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:
- Soft rose petal fragrance cleanses and conditions face and skin without removing essential moisture
- Un-distilled witch hazel is 100% natural astringent for your entire body- non-distilled witch hazel
- Sensitive witch hazel to make your own facewash, facial scrub, makeup remover, deodorant, acne cleanser
- Gentle relief for oily, irritated, red, blemish, inflamed, damaged, burned, or dried out skin
- and Made with organic aloe vera and free of alcohol, parabens and propylene glycol
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:
- INCLUDED IN THIS SET: Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Orange. Essential Oils Gift Set for Diffuser.
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OIL by USDA - the strict oversight of USDA ensures the integrity of our Aromatherapy Essential Oils. In other words, it’s really 100% ORGANIC.
- 100% PURE, ONLY ONE INGREDIENT - Our Premium Essential Oil is 100% Pure & Natural - No Additives, No Alcohol, No Fragrance-Added and Not Diluted.
- CLIGANIC 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - RISK FREE! We put a lot of effort into manufacturing quality products that will meet our customers' expectations. And we stand behind every item that we make, 100%. If you are not satisfied completely with your purchase, we will be happy to replace it or issue you a full refund.
- BOTTLED IN THE USA, CRUELTY-FREE – Cliganic Organic Essential Oils are bottled in the USA with the highest standards, giving you premium 100% pure natural oil. It is NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS now with the Cruelty Free Certification.
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:
- Multi-purpose & Versatile Skin Care
- Softens & Moisturizes
- Multi-Purpose
- GMP Quality Assured: NPA A-rated GMP certification means that every aspect of the NOW manufacturing process has been examined, including our laboratory/testing methods (for stability, potency, and product formulation).
- Packaged in the USA by a family owned and operated company since 1968
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:
- ★VARIETY OF BOTTLES TO MEET DIFFERENT NEEDS - one 60ml (2 oz. ) pump bottle, one 60ml (2 oz. ) flip-cap bottle, one 30ml (1 oz. ) spray bottle, one 30ml (1 oz. ) flip-cap bottle, one 15ml (0. 5 oz.) flip-cap bottle, one 30ml squeeze bottle, two 0. 5 oz. cream jars, two 0. 35 oz. cream jars, two 0. 1 oz. cream jars, one pipette, one funnel, one spatula, one zip pouch
- ★BPA-FREE, FDA AND TSA APPROVED - Made of high-quality non-toxic BPA-free PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) material, food safe FDA approved and TSA approved, lightweight and break-resistant, no harmful chemicals and very safe to use. Great for spa, travel, gym, school and camping.
- ★CONVENINET, DURABLE AND DESIGN PRACTICABILITY - Washable and reusable plastic products and don't easily deteriorate. Bottles and caps are designed to keep the quality of its contents intact and secure, suitable for travel. Clean, durable, and resilient to contamination and leakage.
- ★CONFORMS WITH TSA GUIDELINESS - Premium empty travel containers durable yet flexible easy squeeze air travel accessories. Ideal travel container for liquids, liquors, food, oils, shampoo, lotion, creams, gels, cosmetics, hand lotion, serum, moisturizing lotion, face lotion, vitamin face gel, hand sanitizer, makeup primer.
- ★100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION - Alink are committed to provide our customers high-quality products with the best service after sale. If the zip bag, the bootles or the jars was broken, just feel free to contact us, we will resend new replacement to you very soon. Please contact us with any question about any Alink products.
Larger Glass Option:
- GREAT VALUE - 5 Pack Clear Glass Bottles with Lotion Pumps(8oz) with extra lotion pumps and labels.
- MULTI-USE - Use for liquid soap, dish soap, lotion, aromatherapy essential oil blends, shampoo, body wash, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, massage oils, food ingredients and much more
- SAFE - BPA and LEAD FREE.
- ECO-FRIENDLY - Reuse our Clear glass pump bottles. It's easy and eco-friendly. And you help reduce disposal plastic bottles. This is a recommended tip to live Zero Waste Lifestyle.
- LOCKABLE PUMPS - Pumps twist and lock for easy closure for transport or storage.
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!
