DIY NATURAL SANITIZER April 01 2020
Everybody has been in a situation where we wish to clean our hands, but you have no access to soap or water. Portable bottles with hand sanitizers are more popular than ever.
Tired of hearing sanitizers are sold out?
Perhaps you have considered making your own but never had the time. Well, you have time now and good hygiene is always important. Besides, it is a great gift for your loved ones in these challenging times. I promise it will be better sanitizer than the alternatives in the shops.
We did some experimenting and lots of research to come up with some recipes for you featuring ingredients that are easy to find or substitute. So…
3 anti-viral recipes to help you protect yourself and your family.
Before making any of the following recipes, we advise you to read the safety notes we have included at the end of the article. Thank you for being mindful and considerate of your own and the safety of others.
Simple alcohol-free gel hand sanitizer
Tools and ingredients:
50ml bottle with a cap
45ml Aloe Vera gel
25 drops lavender essential oil (antiseptic, antiviral properties) *
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients directly in the bottle.
- Shake well and use it to disinfect your hands.
*Just as effective you can use these essential oils: tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon-scented eucalyptus, chamomile, melissa, pine. They all possess antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Little’s hand sanitizer
This recipe includes essential oil concentration that is gentle enough and appropriate for children between 2 and 6. Do not use it if your children are younger.
Tools and ingredients:
30 ml spray bottle
20 ml ethyl alcohol or propyl alcohol
1tsp aloe gel
2 drops Lavender essential oil (antiseptic, antiviral properties)
1 drops Tea tree essential oil (antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, fungicide and immune-stimulating properties)
Distilled water, flower hydrosol (rose, chamomile, lavender) or chamomile and lavender tea.
Instructions:
- Pour the alcohol in the bottle and add the essential oils. Shake well and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. The essential oils will dissolve in the alcohol.
- Add the aloe gel into the spray bottle and cap. Shake well to mix the ingredients.
- Fill up the bottle with distilled water, hydrosol or tea. Shake well again and before use.
Refreshing lemony hand sanitizer
Tools and ingredients:
50 ml spray bottle
30 ml (2Tb spoons) ethyl alcohol or propyl alcohol
1tsp aloe gel
1tsp Neven soap (you may also skip this if you don’t have)
10 drops Lavender essential oil (antiseptic, antiviral properties)
4 drops Lemon-scented Eucalyptus essential oil (antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial)
6 drops Eucalyptus essential oil (antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral)
Instructions:
- Pour the alcohol in the bottle and add the essential oils. Shake well and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. The essential oils will dissolve in the alcohol.
- Add the aloe gel and Castile soap into the spray bottle and cap. Shake well to mix the ingredients.
- Label the bottle and voila! It’s ready to use. Spray on the hands, rub the liquid and allow it to dry.
Safety, handling, and storage:
- Store in a cool and dark place.
- Always check with a doctor or healthcare provider before using essential oils, especially on children or if you have a medical condition.
- Remember to take safety measures and to exercise caution when working with concentrated substances like alcohol and essential oils. Use gloves when making the product.
- The product is for external use only (hands, feet, inanimate objects).
- Moisturize if using this sanitizer frequently as alcohol tends to deplete moisture.
- Direct contact with mouth or eyes must be avoided. Rinse thoroughly with cold water should sanitizer get in your eyes.
- Keep this product away from children and let them apply under supervision.
- This is a flammable liquid. Keep away from direct heat, flames, and sunlight.
- Using fresh aloe vera gel from your plant at home will not work. It is unstable compared to commercially sold.