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When you can’t wash with soap, this DIY natural hand sanitizer is your best choice. It softens skin while killing germs, and costs only pennies to make.
“I’m not a germophobe, but I play one on the internet.” (If you’re under 30, ask someone to explain.)
We’re one of those “dirt can’t hurt” families. I don’t wipe down the counters with bleach solution, and I don’t have one of those chemical pucks in the toilets. Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy.
However, I don’t need to tell you that hand sanitizer is a huge seller. The Stinky Bath Stuff store probably has 20 different scents and flavors, all filled with a variety of suspicious chemicals.
Washing with regular (not antibacterial) soap is the best choice, but there are some times when sanitizer is just plain handy. (Get it?)
This safe, natural hand sanitizer recipe doesn’t use alcohol, and replaces the chemicals in store brands with essential oils. It’s easy to make, and costs much less than the chemical-laden brands.
Natural Hand Sanitizer
1/2 cup aloe vera gel (not juice or liquid)
1/4 cup witch hazel
6-8 drops each, Tea tree and Lemon essential oils
or
12 drops OnGuard essential oil blend.
Measure the aloe vera gel and witch hazel into your measuring cup. Give it a stir and add a bit more witch hazel if it seems too thick.
Then add your essential oils. Start with six drops each and then add more of one or the other until you reach a scent combination/intensity you like.
Stir again and pour into your recycled pump bottle.
You don’t need too much–a dime-sized blob is enough. The aloe vera gel will moisturize your hands, and the witch hazel and essential oils will help fight germs.
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Thanks for this recipe!! I’m a mobile phlebotomist & have been using store bought sanitizer that was drying out my hands severely & suffering dry cracks that bleed! I now make this & LOVE it!! It’s GREAT for my hands!! THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING!! LOVE your site!!
Yay, I’m so glad you like it!
Do you know the shelf life for this mixture? It works great! Love it.
I make small batches and we always use it up within a month, so I know it will keep that long without a problem. Beyond that, I’m not sure!
I use Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel with aloe. It is alcohol free, and a wonderful toner to use daily. There are other scents available, and also an unscented, if you prefer. Hope this helps.
I have yet to find a witch hazel that does not contain alcohol. If someone knows of one, I’d like to know. I have two children severely allergic to alcohol.
I have found a brand of Witch hazel that is alcohol-free. The brand is Thayers Natural Remedies and I got it at Earth Fare. It is unscented but does contain aloe vera. The brand had several different formulas to choose from. Hope this helps!
Janet
Thank you so much for asking and answering this question. I am allergic to alcohol, too, and trying to find even herbal skin care with out any kind of alcohol is terribly hard.
Quick question, I bought Witch Hazel tonight and just realized that is contains 14% alcohol? Can I still this Witch Hazel or shall I look for another one? Thank you.
Um, do you have any references at all for the germ-killing power of this solution? I know tea tree oil kills germs when it’s full strength, but how well does it work at this dilution? If you can’t find any published science on the subject, you could at least try a handwashing experiment to compare it to washing with soap and water.
I work for a health-care system that does occasional research on alcohol-based hand sanitizer vs. soap and water in a medical context, so although this isn’t my field I’ve read quite a bit about it as the studies are reported in the employee newsletter. So far those two methods are running about neck and neck overall, with each being better for different specific situations. But alcohol has a long history of effective germ-killing, and the alcohol concentration in hand sanitizer is pretty high. I wouldn’t trust another sanitizer without seeing some science!
Good point! I’ve emailed you directly to see if you have suggestions on how to get it scientifically tested. Thanks for your comment!
I have witch hazel in the house and I never know what to do with it. Now I do! Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Greens!
Thanks so much for linking up with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday! I featured your post today. Hope you come back and share more with us!http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/02/bunnys-bento-box-eco-kids-tuesday.html
You can also use Amber powder
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures’ Make Your Own! Monday link-up.
Check back tomorrow when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! 🙂
Love this! Thanks for sharing at the ‘Or so she says…’ link party! I’ve actually chosen this as a special feature for the weekend. Stop back and check it out, and of course to share more of your great ideas.
Have a great weekend 🙂
Mariel
http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
I just pinned this!! Thanks so much! I have eczema and the “germ-X” hand sanitizers are so harsh on my hands and washing them with soap and water in the winter makes my skin so dry and cracked. I will definitely be trying this!
I’m visiting from Growing Home link up, and I’m a new follower.
http://www.artistic31mama.com
Have you tried Made On hard lotions for your eczema? It is all natural and many people have had good results.
That’s exactly what I was going to suggest! Thanks for the tip, anon!
I would love to have you share this on The HomeAcre Hop tonight!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-homeacre-hop-7.html
I Love this! Thank you for sharing your hand sanitizer recipe with us and I hope to welcome you over at Seasonal Celebration again today! Rebecca @Natural Mothers Network x
Thanks for sharing this on Wildcrafting Wednesday! Hope to see you back on today’s hop!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/wildcrafting-wednesday-9.html
Great idea – had to pin it. And love your description of your house – clean enough to be healthy, dirty enough to be happy. Spot on! Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
This is GREAT! I can’t wait to try it & I have everything on hand already. I was looking to find a hand sanitizer I could make at home so thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to try out the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing. I’d love to have you come link this up to our Teach Me Tuesday Linky – it’s brand new and in need of creative contributions! http://www.somedayilllearn.com/2013/02/18/teach-me-tuesday-5/
What a great tutorial! I’d love for you to share this or any of your great ideas at the link party going on now (and every Saturday through Tuesday) at ‘Or so she says …’ Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
I’ve been looking for something like this. I’m always on the lookout for homemade natural products. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
This is fabulous – I wish I could convince them to use this at the hospital where I work instead of the skin shredding stuff we do use. Really appreciate this recipe. I found you at the Little House in the Suburbs Linky Party.
I am allergic to aloe vera. Is there a substitute? What is it’s function in this recipe? I might make and take it into the office (just to give everyone a chance to see why I like natural cosmetics)and keep using Giovanni or Urban Escentials handwipes myself.
Could I use orange oil instead of the lemon? I have it on hand is why I am wondering?
Sure! Orange oil and lemon oil both have limonene as a primary component. Either will work here.
It’s been on my list to make my own hand sanitizer…would this one be too thick to spray? Maybe if I left out the aloe gel?
This recipe is too thick to spray, but if you added more witch hazel it might work. Give it a try and let us know!
Fantastic! I really despise using chemicals, and I once bought an expensive organic sanitizer, which was essentially witch hazel. The pump immediately broke and I never got to use it! Now I can make my own. Thanks!
This is great. I already have tea tree oil. How expensive would you say this recipe is? And how long does it last? (not usage – just how long is it good for)
Do you know the approximate shelf life for this sanitizer if stored in either a glass bottle or a PET plastic container? It works great! Thanks for sharing.
Love this!!! I will definitely be making some to take to work (I am a physical therapist). We have Purell and it dries my hands out terribly. Occasionally it’s easier to use the sanitizing gel than wash my hands. This will work perfectly…thanks!!!!