The coronavirus has now been declared a pandemic by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and there’s an urgent emphasis on practicing good hygiene to avoid spreading — and catching — germs. One of the things all experts agree on is that it’s imperative to keep your hands clean. And while the CDC recommends diligent hand-washing with soap and water, sometimes it’s not possible to get yourself or your kids to a sink. The solution? Hand sanitizer.
But with everyone rushing out to get their hands on this common grocery store staple, supplies have run low and opportunists are hoarding and price-gouging. But here’s a way to make hand sanitizer at home, with ingredients you probably have in your bathroom cabinet.
One important note: The CDC specifies that only solutions that contain an alcohol content of at least 60% are effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Much of the rubbing alcohol sold in dollar and discount stores have a lower alcohol content, so check the labels carefully.
Here’s how to make your own hand sanitizer
Mixing the alcohol with other ingredients such as aloe vera and essential oils makes the solution more soothing, but remember that you’re diluting the mixture, so be careful to follow the recipe and keep the proportion of ingredients the same. The recipe below ensures that you end up with at least the required 60% alcohol content.
Ingredients:
- Rubbing alcohol with 91% or higher concentration in alcohol
- Aloe vera gel (you can purchase it or make it yourself)
- Essential oil (optional)
Take 2/3 cup of the rubbing alcohol and combine it with 1/3 cup of the aloe vera gel. Add a few drops of the essential oil if desired.
There are other natural options for cleaning hands on the go — and many of them you can make yourself, using ingredients you already have in your kitchen. But remember that these are not recommended by the CDC as they do not have the required 60% alcohol content.
Plain vinegar
The sanitizer: 5% solution of white vinegar. This is the concentration in most bottles from the grocery store.
How it works: Vinegar is an antibacterial agent that kills 99% of bacteria. It’s also nontoxic, nonpolluting, and edible.
How to use: Keep in a small spray bottle in your bag. Spray on hands so the entire surface of hands is wet. Rub all over, then wipe or shake dry.
Common concerns: The strong smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving your hands clean and odor-free. But if you dislike the smell, cover it up with a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil.
Hydrogen peroxide
The sanitizer: 3% solution hydrogen peroxide.
How it works: When hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with bacteria, it oxidizes, causing the bacteria to decompose.
How to use: Keep a small, dark-colored spray bottle in your bag (exposing it to light will cause it to oxidize). Spray on hands and allow to foam. Wipe or shake dry.
Common concerns: Some kids may not like the tickling sensation when the peroxide foams.
Tea tree oil
The sanitizer: 10 drops of tea tree essential oil and 1 teaspoon castile soap in 6 ounces water.
How it works: Tea tree oil is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. The castile soap functions as a surfactant to dissolve the oil.
How to use: Keep in a spray bottle and spray on hands, then shake dry.
Common concerns: Tea tree oil can cause irritation if the concentration is too high. A teaspoon of vitamin E or aloe vera gel can help prevent this.
Gel essential oil sanitizer
The sanitizer: 5 ounces aloe vera gel; 1 ounce witch hazel; 8 to 10 drops of any antimicrobial essential oil.
How it works: The essential oils do the cleaning, and the higher concentration of aloe vera gel gives this sanitizer the same gel consistency as commercial sanitizers.
How to use: Put in a squeeze bottle. Squeeze a few drops onto hands and rub all over hands until dry.
Common concerns: You can get witch hazel with or without alcohol. For a more eco-friendly option, use alcohol-free witch hazel; if you want to increase the sanitizer’s germ-killing ability, use the alcohol-based kind.
