The best and most recommended method to keep our hands clean – as in the old times- is water and soap. However, it’s also a good idea to keep a little stash of hand sanitizer when we don’t have access to that method. For example, when we go to the supermarket, a store, pharmacy, gas station, etc.

Nowadays, with the scarcity of this product in stores and supermarkets, not all of us have been lucky enough to be able to buy it. Luckily, there is creativity and there are natural products that can be very beneficial and useful. Do you have any past-summer leftover Aloe Vera Gel? Do you have rubbing alcohol in your emergency kit?

Here, I’m sharing an easy way to make your own.

Before making and using your hand sanitizer:

Essential oils are very potent plant extracts. To avoid allergic reactions in you, or your loved ones (and as a general rule), you should test with a tiny amount for 24 hours. Just mix a drop of the essential oil you want to use with a tablespoon of olive oil and rub a tiny amount it inside your elbow. Let it sit there for a day covered with a bandage or gauze. Once you made your sanitizer do the same thing.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons rubbing Alcohol 
• 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel (Best if all natural, but don’t worry if it’s a regular kind)

With these 2 ingredients, you have a good base you can use. To make it more potent and add some fragrance use the following essential oils:

• 25 drops of Melaleuca (it’s proven this essential oil has excellent antibacterial and antiseptic properties)
• 5-10 or more drops of Lavender Oil (depends on your fragrance preference)


How to make it:

1 Mix essential oils in a little glass bowl.
2 Add alcohol little by little and mix.
3 Combine alcohol mix with Aloe Vera Gel.
4 Put the mix in a clean container and use.

A different version:

If you would like to make a Spray version just use witch hazel instead of Aloe Vera Gel. This is ideal to spray and disinfect surfaces and the bottom of your shoes when you come back home from somewhere.

Last tips and recommendations:

Melaleuca has a very strong smell; therefore, I recommend adding another essential oil to neutralize/change the fragrance. I love Lavender, but if you’re feeling more adventurous and would like to use a different one, go for it! Just a tip with the more citrusy oils like lemon, lime or orange; be careful when using those as they can cause skin spotting if you’re exposed to the sun.

If you liked this recipe feel free to leave me a comment. I would be happy to answer any questions as well. Just write your name and use the code to verify your comment.

With Love and Health,

Namaste.