The most powerful way to combat the transmission of germs is to wash your hands with soap and water. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using a Natural Hand Sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls the manufacturing of hand sanitizers to maintain a minimum alcohol level of 60% in hand sanitizing products when purchased.
The alcohol content in homemade sanitizers is harder to test, and so industrial sanitizers are preferred. But you can make an efficient hand sanitizer in your own home in a snap.
Make Aloe Vera Natural Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizers must be at least 60% alcohol to be successful in destroying germs. According to experts, the alcohol concentration is determined using an alcohol meter in commercially manufactured goods.
This formula provides a hand sanitizer with the necessary alcohol concentration if carefully followed. However, accurate measurement is necessary.
“The ratio of main ingredients has to be carefully considered because else you are in danger of making a solution that is not safe or too rough on your face.”
Ingredients Required:
- 2 part isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) having a concentration of 91%
- Essential oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, or lavender (an optional ingredient for scent)
- Arrange a small spray bottle, squeeze bottle or other airtight containers for storage.
- Spoon or whisk for mixing
- 1 part Aloe Vera gel
Steps to Follow
- Add natural aloe vera gel to the isopropyl alcohol in a clean container. To get one cup of sanitizer, combine ⅓ cup of gel with ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol.
- Mix thoroughly with your spoon or whisk to ensure that the alcohol is evenly distributed throughout the gel.
- If you are using it, stir in five drops of essential oil. This is entirely your choice and is only meant to improve the scent of the sanitizer.
- Once the homemade sanitizer is ready, transfer it to a spray or squeeze bottle of your choice and store the extra in an airtight container. You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for later use or simply in a dark, cool place. The alcohol preserves the aloe, though it will turn a slight pink over prolonged exposure to light, and that is normal.
You can even use 91 to 99% alcohol resulting in your sanitizer being thick and using it in a squeeze bottle. Otherwise, use a spray bottle for easy application.
Is homemade Natural Hand Sanitizer safe and effective?
A homemade sanitizer is probably preferable to none. However, commercially produced hand sanitizers are often preferred because they are subjected to quality control to ensure that the alcohol content is effective.
One of the drawbacks of homemade hand sanitizers is that it is difficult to determine how much alcohol is in them. That is why physicians only use professionally produced hand sanitizer on their patients.
“We actually do not think we can guarantee the concentration of alcohol in each pump will be reliably high enough to destroy viruses for our handmade version,” say experts.
Follow the recipe carefully and take certain steps to make good hand sanitizer at home.
“Home recipes will quickly be infected with an inappropriate ingredient or inadequate alcohol to destroy germs.” If you decide to make a hand sanitizer at home, it is crucial to work in a clean room with sleek instruments and thoroughly wash your hands before you start the operation.
Even if the recipe is basic, it might not be easy to find ingredients for hand sanitizers. For sanitation purposes, rubbing alcohol must be used, which has a higher alcohol level than wine.
How to Use Your Natural Hand Sanitizer Properly
Sometimes the homemade sanitizer is thinner than the commercially-made ones, but it is difficult to use. A bottle with a squeeze or pump will make it easy to use your homemade sanitizer without spilling.
Squeeze off sufficiently to cover the whole surface of the hands to properly use the hand sanitizer. Rub all the parts of your hands together. Keep rubbing your hands together until it is dry, which takes about 20 seconds.