DIY: How To Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
If you've been to a select number of stores lately you've probably noticed that hand sanitizer is in short supply along with some other items like toilet paper and paper towels. Since you consider yourself a rather handy, no pun intended, here is how you can make your own hand sanitizer, and it's relatively easy to do.
Note that according to the CDC, washing your hands with soap is better, but if you have no soap and water, hand sanitizer is the second-best thing to do to eliminate germs. Also, save the vodka for your quarantine as hand sanitizer to be effective needs to contain at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label. Vodka is generally 30-40% alcohol.
- 2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or 190-proof grain alcohol
- 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel (preferably without additives)
- 8 to 10 drops essential oil, such as lavender, clove, cinnamon, or peppermint* (if you want it to not smell like a hospital, otherwise don't worry about it)
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Funnel
- Plastic container
Mix the alcohol and aloe vera gel in the bowl. Pour the ingredients into the bowl and use the spoon to mix them together, the combination of the two should be smooth when it's all mixed.
(add the essential oils a drop at a time and mix the solution well until you've got a scent you like)
Take the now mixed substance and put it into the container using the funnel. Tightly screw on the lid until you are ready to use it.
That's it! Now all you have to worry about it toilet paper, but that's why mother nature gave us leaves and bark.
H/T WikiHow for the recipe.