I honestly never thought I would be writing up a DIY article like this. However, during these unfortunate and isolating times my heart hurts when I see Porch Nook followers in distress because basic needs are disappearing from store shelves. It is my hope that this hand sanitizer recipe will help you feel a little more empowered just knowing you can do this using ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is BEST when possible. Doing so reduces the amount of all types of germs and chemicals on your hands and is generally better at killing certain germs. If you are unable to wash your hands, hand sanitizer can be used instead.
There are two things to be aware of when using hand sanitizer.
- You need to rub it into your skin for 30 to 60 seconds or until your hands are dry. It can take at least 60 seconds, and sometimes longer, for hand sanitizer to kill most germs.
- If your hands are greasy or dirty, you should wash them first with soap and water.
(Disclosure: I receive commission for purchases made using Amazon links in my article. I appreciate your support!)
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (99 percent).
- 1/4 cup of 100% aloe vera gel (to help keep your hands smooth and to counteract the harshness of alcohol).
- 10 drops of essential oil, such as lavender oil, or you can use lemon juice instead. However, keep in mind that adding essential oil is not required to make your batch successful.
Directions:
- Pour all ingredients into a bowl, ideally one with a pouring spout like a glass measuring container.
- Mix with a spoon and then beat with a whisk to turn the sanitizer into a gel.
- Pour the ingredients into an empty bottle for easy use, and label it “hand sanitizer.”
(Disclosure: I receive commission for purchases made using Amazon links in my article. I appreciate your support!)
Here are some very important rules to follow while making your hand sanitizer:
- Make it in a clean space. Wipe down counter tops with a diluted bleach solution beforehand.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before you begin.
- Wash your mixing tools thoroughly before using them.
- Make sure the alcohol used for the hand sanitizer is not diluted.
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended.
- Do not touch the mixture with your hands until it is ready for use.
