Having a ton of aloe vera on hand tends to be a good thing when you want to make your own homemade hand sanitizer. Fortunately, my 2 large aloes have made almost 10 pups in the last year. Aloe vera has many benefits.
One of the benefits of aloe is that it’s antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, plus many more. (5, 6-9) These properties make aloe vera a great ingredient to use in homemade hand sanitizer.
There are many articles going around about “Don’t make your own homemade hand sanitizer, it’s dangerous.” I heard a lady on the radio actually saying “Don’t mess with DANGEROUS CHEMICALS!” Really? It’s not rocket science folks. As an example, water can be a dangerous chemical and so can oxygen. We deal with those every day.
In all seriousness, mixing chemicals can be very dangerous, so do your due diligence and know what not to mix!
Additionally, making your own hand sanitizer comes with many warnings. I urge you to do your own research! You and only you can be held liable when using these recipes to make hand sanitizer. I’m not a scientist, a doctor, and I don’t have any other medical training. The CDC has made it very clear that many companies are getting this whole thing wrong. They have increased company’s obligations when it comes to making it too. They have made the rules ever more strict and rigid from what I’ve heard in the news.
The CDC has made some clear suggestions about hand sanitizer, that I’m outlining below. My homemade hand sanitizer might not work since its efficacy hasn’t been proven in a lab. So you’ll have to do some research on your own to figure out if you really want to make hand sanitizer, or if you want to find another route.
Let’s be serious here for a minute. The store shelves might be empty but I’m still seeing plenty of hand sanitizer on Amazon! Here’s a couple of links, if you want to skip making your own…skip the controversy, and get this crap straight from the horse’s mouth from a company “who can safely handle dangerous chemicals!” Believe me, there’s no shame in your game if you want to buy it on Amazon. Protect your family!
Sanitizer vs. Hand Washing
Many doctors and the CDC still believe that nothing can compare to a good ole’ hand washing.
Hand sanitizers may help you cut down on the bacteria. However, it can’t take the place of washing hands with soap and water.
Using hand sanitizer, in my opinion, should only be used when soap and water are not available, but not when hands are visibly dirty…
The CDC says that hand sanitizers have not been effective when using on greasy or soiled hands. It also won’t help remove pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
Additionally, they also say that sanitizers made with an alcohol concentration between 60-95% are better at destroying germs than one with a lower concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers without alcohol might not work as well for a number of germs. For instance, it only reduces the growth of germs and doesn’t kill them outright.
Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipes
DISCLAIMER: These hand sanitizer recipes have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not meant to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any diseases or disorders. In addition, they may not keep you from contracting certain bacteria or viruses. Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning according to the CDC.
NOTE: This homemade hand sanitizer is not a sufficient substitute for proper handwashing. The ingredients in these recipes have natural antiviral properties. However, the recipe has NOT been tested in a lab for efficiency for fighting bacteria or viruses.
Check with your physician before using any home remedy on you or your family.
Note: Some people have bad reactions to using aloe vera externally or internally. If you’re allergic to aloe vera, don’t use this recipe!
Simple Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe
Note: This recipe should be safe enough for kids, but it may not be strong enough to kill certain kinds of bacteria or viruses. Keep out of the reach of children.
Do your research and make this recipe and use it at your own risk.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel (buy it here if you don’t have any)
- 20 drops of Germ Destroyer Essential Oil
Directions
- Add both ingredients to a reusable plastic bottle.
- Secure lid.
- Shake vigorously to mix ingredients.
- Use when needed.
Powerful Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe
This recipe is much stronger than the one above. This recipe is not suggested for use on children. Take care when using essential oils and dilute them properly before applying to skin. Some people may be allergic to the essential oils or the aloe vera gel. It never hurts to consult one’s doctor before using homemade care products.
Do your research and make this recipe and use it at your own risk.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup or (2 parts) isopropyl alcohol (60% or higher)
- 1/4 cup or (1 part) aloe vera gel (this helps to cut down on the harshness of the alcohol effects on skin)
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops (total) of any of the following essential oils cinnamon, clove, thyme, oregano, and rosemary
- 2 drops of lemon essential oil *optional (for scent)
- 1 Tsp Vitamin E Oil – *optional (for moisturizing effect)
Directions
- Place the ingredients into a bowl, and whisk vigorously until gel-like consistency forms.
- Add all ingredients into your reusable plastic bottle.
- Secure lid.
- Shake bottle vigorously to mix ingredients.
- Use as needed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned people against making homemade hand sanitizer, since some ingredients are not effective, or at worst, downright harmful.
However, the WHO has created a PDF with thorough instructions on forming your own reliable, efficient hand sanitizer. However, this recipe is a little complex and comes with its own set of giant warnings!
I know the world is a little upside down for many people right now, but hang in there! Things will get better!
Other Aloe Vera Posts You Might Like
The University of Florida has a liquid hand sanitizer recipe, if you’re interested.
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I’d love To Know what you think!… Leave me a comment!
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References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4006208/#R9
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715426
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html#sixteen
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21219730
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15489352
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-hand-sanitizer#ingredients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25825988
https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
With all of the complications I think i will buy hand sanitizer instead of making it myself. Thank you for all of the information. i think I’m going to buy in bulk and just refill the small bottles. Seems the most cost effective.
Sounds smart to me!