Looking for a homemade hand sanitizer recipe?

I’m not as big into DIYing as I used to be. At first, it was fun to make deodorant and lip balm, but two kids and a business later I’ve had to simplify. I still make these things, but when I do they have to fit these guidelines:

• Simple and easy – I just don’t have time for complexity!
• Saves considerable money – If the project costs as much to make as it does to buy a similar product I usually just buy it (time is money after all).
• There is a substantial benefit to DIYing (no safe option available to buy, I’m using homegrown herbs, etc).

This homemade hand sanitizer fits perfectly. It’s cheap and easy to make, made with safe ingredients and lasts a long time.

Why Homemade Hand Sanitizer?

I’m not a fan of hand sanitizer actually.

For the most part, I believe regular contact with normal germs helps us build our own immunities. That’s one reason that my kids (and I) don’t bathe every day.

I also don’t like how drying alcohol-based hand sanitizers are to the skin.

However, there are times when we need to clean our hands and good ol’ soap and water aren’t available. That’s when hand sanitizer can be helpful.

Natural Hand Sanitizer vs. Conventional

But if it comes down to using conventional hand sanitizer or nothing I often choose nothing. For the most part, with my lifestyle, the worst that is going to happen by not washing (or sanitizing) my hands is mild illness (like cold or flu). 

The ingredients in conventional hand sanitizer are usually more concerning than the germs I encounter. Of course, there are always going to be exceptions! Here are 5 reasons I avoid conventional hand sanitizer:

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

It’s well known that alcohol-based hand cleansers can cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as mentioned in this NPR article.

Alcohol-free hand sanitizer may not be any better than alcohol-based ones. These formulas often contain triclosan, an antibiotic compound. As you can imagine, this can also cause antibiotic resistance.

Some people (including many doctors I’ve seen) choose hand-sanitizer over washing. To avoid a potentially catastrophic issue like superbugs, I always try to wash with soap and water if possible.

Cause Hormone Disruption

The endocrine system regulates hormones in the body. Endocrine disruptors can interfere with this system and cause hormonal issues. Since hormones are responsible for many processes from sex and procreation to sleep, this is a big deal. Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor according to a 2010 study. 

Cause Weaker Immune System

Ironically, triclosan containing hand-sanitizer may reduce immune function. One study found that triclosan and BPA (a chemical in plastic) do just this.

I always like to be cautious if there’s even a small possibility of a product being unsafe. That’s why I often make my own products, sicne I know exactly whatj goes into them.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

This recipe is easy and inexpensive to make and is safe for kids too.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel (I like this one)
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil (melted)
• 1 1/2 tbsp. witch hazel (the lower the alcohol content the better)
• 5 drops geranium essential oil (I get high-quality essential oils here)
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil

Directions:

Whisk the aloe and melted coconut oil together well and allow to cool if necessary. Then add the other ingredients. You can pour this moisturizing hand sanitizer into an old hand sanitizer bottle, a pump bottle or leave it in a small jar. For this one, I chose plastic since I plan on carrying it around, but you could also use glass.

A Note on Essential Oil Safety

I chose to use geranium and lavender for this recipe because lavender is safe for babies 3 months+ as well as being a proven disinfectant. Geranium essential oil is safe for babies 6 months+ and proven to be an excellent disinfectant.

Other oils that can be used as disinfectants but may not be safe for kids:

• tea tree 
• cinnamon
• clove
• lemon
• orange
• rosemary
• lemongrass
• thyme
• peppermint

The concentration of essential oils in this recipe is safe for toddlers and older. Because the EO concentration is on the lower side the coconut oil and witch hazel also act as disinfectants. You can double the EOs if not using on children.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This recipe is easy and inexpensive to make and is safe for kids too.

Print

Materials

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel (I like this one)
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil (melted)
• 1 1/2 tbsp. witch hazel (the lower the alcohol content the better)
• 5 drops geranium essential oil (I get high-quality essential oils here)
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil

Tools

• plastic or glass containers

Instructions

1. Whisk the aloe and melted coconut oil together well and allow to cool if necessary.
2. Then add the other ingredients.
3. Pour into container.

Notes

1. You can pour this moisturizing hand sanitizer into an old hand sanitizer bottle, a pump bottle or leave it in a small jar.
2. I used a plastic bottle so I can easily carry it around without worrying it will break.

How to Store Hand Sanitizer

Any product with essential oils in it is best kept in an opaque container (not clear plastic or glass). My favorite company for containers is SKS Bottle & Packaging.

I have tried many other brands but none have compared to the quality of SKS Bottle & Packaging containers. So if you are looking for a company that creates a variety of high-quality glass and metal containers (they have plastic too) I highly recommend SKS.

Using Your Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Just like the commercial kind, just squirt a bit into your hands and rub them together.

Because one of the disinfecting components of this DIY hand sanitizer is essential oils you will need to be careful not to leave it in a place that gets extreme temperatures (like the car or a sunny window).

Essential oils degrade in heat and cold so its best to store this in your purse, diaper bag, or in the bathroom away from sunlight if possible.

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