Most commercial hand sanitizers contain harsh chemicals like artificial fragrances and stabilizers. Make your own homemade hand sanitizer with essential oils!
Disclaimer: In light of COVID-19, I’ve made some updates to this post. The original recipe contained a small amount of alcohol (or no alcohol, if using an alcohol-free witch hazel), and relied on tea tree oil for it’s antibacterial properties. However, in order to inactivate viruses like COVID-19, the WHO and CDC recommend at least 60-70% alcohol-by-volume to be effective. I’ve reformulated the original recipe accordingly.
To make it easier for you, I’m placing the recipe right at the top of the post, so you don’t have to scroll endlessly to find it.
And as always, the best defence against germs is proper hand washing with soap and water!
UPDATE (April 26, 2020): The original 60% alcohol recommendation from the CDC was based on previous lab studies which showed that these levels were effective against other coronaviruses similar to COVID-19. However, a brand new study (published April 13, 2020) which focused specifically on COVID-19 has found that hand sanitizers with alcohol concentrations as low as 30% were effective at inactivating COVID-19 in 30 seconds. [source]
This means that if all you have at home is 70% alcohol (as opposed to the 91% alcohol that’s called for in the recipe below) you can still make an effective hand sanitizer!
Natural Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients
- 1 cup 91% isopropyl alcohol ( (you can also use 70% alcohol, specifically for COVID-19))
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
- 45 drops tea tree oil ( (optional; adds antibacterial properties))
- 15 drops essential oil ( (to round out the scent; rosemary, lavender, cinnamon are great))
- 3/4 tsp vitamin E oil ( (optional; for moisturizing))
- squeeze tubes or bottles
Instructions
- In a small glass bowl, add the essential oils and vitamin E oil (if using)and stir.
- Add the alcohol and stir again.
- Add the aloe vera gel and mix very well.
- Using a funnel, pour the mixture into your container of choice.
- Shake well before using.
Notes
Wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a world without germs?
Just imagine…No spoiled food. No common cold. No viruses and bacteria at every corner waiting to attack any living thing in sight.
Disease would be eradicated, and people would be healthy!
Or would they?
Utopian dreams aside, we of course know that a world without germs wouldn’t be a world at all…at least not one that would sustain any sign of life.
So love them or hate them, germs are a necessary part of life, and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those smart little buggers.
The only problem?
As beneficial as they are to life on this planet, sometimes they can be a nuisance, or an unwelcome (even deadly!) invader. So we have to take precautions and protect ourselves from the bad germs that can actually harm us.
The solution?
Super simple…just wash up! Plain soap and water are more than enough to kill the “bad” germs, but gentle enough to not bother the “good” germs that we actually need.
But sometimes? Sometimes you just don’t have those extra few minutes it takes to drop what you’re doing, run to the bathroom, and give your hands a good wash and scrub in the sink.
When I was a teacher, with 20 kids in my class, and no sink in our classroom, I couldn’t just walk down the hall whenever I needed to wash off the gooey, sticky, germ-laden gunk that managed to populate my hands at any given time of day – par for the course when you’re working with a bunch of 8 year olds. 😉
And forget about cold and flu season!
So in comes hand sanitizer to the rescue!
That stuff rocks, it really does.
But I’ve had a love/hate relationship with it since forever. It’s super useful in places with lots of people and lots more germs being passed around, like schools, hospitals, or those carts at the grocery store that never, ever get cleaned. <shudder>
But here’s the deal…
Commercial hand sanitizers contain harsh chemicals like artificial fragrances and stabilizers, which come with their own list of health risks.
And the main ingredient in these store bought products is ethyl alcohol, and require a minimum concentration of at least 60% in order to be effective at killing all those germs.
With that much alcohol content, hand sanitizers can be harsh on the skin, especially if you suffer from allergies and other skin sensitivities.
What’s the alternative?
When looking for a natural hand sanitizer that’s safe to use, but still effective against viruses, make sure they do not contain ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ in the ingredient list.
And you want something moisturizing to counteract the drying effect of the alcohol, so look for nourishing oils and gels in the ingredients as well.
But making a homemade hand sanitizer is actually very easy and requires only a few simple ingredients. Plus, I’m hearing a lot about shortages across the globe because of the COVID-19, so learning to make your own homemade hand sanitizer could help you if you’re in a jam!
So let’s get started…
Natural Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need:
- aloe vera gel – this will form the base gel, and aloe is very nourishing for the skin.
- isopropyl alcohol 91% – make sure it is 91% (and not 70%) in order for the final product to have the correct concentration required by the WHO and CDC.
- essential oils – Tea tree oil has potent antimicrobial properties (use at least 0.5% concentration), and lavender helps round out the strong tea tree oil smell. You can also use thyme oil, which has been shown to be effective against even drug-resistant bacteria.
- vitamin E oil – acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin, to counteract the harshness of the alcohol.
This is the type of alcohol you need, make sure it is at least 91% so that your hand sanitizer meets the minimum alcohol content required by the World Health Organization to kills viruses.
If you use an alcohol with less than 91%, the ratio of the ingredients in this recipe will be all wrong, and your sanitizer will not meet the minimum required by the WHO. (Update 4/26/20: You can use 70% alcohol in this recipe if you’re looking to make something that inactivates COVID-19; see note at the top of this post)
Here’s how to make homemade hand sanitizer:
Start by adding the vitamin E oil and essential oils to a glass bowl, and mix them very well. Then add the alcohol, and stir to mix. Finally, add the aloe vera gel, and mix again.
That’s it! Wasn’t that simple?
Now you’ll add them to your containers and get on with your life, because you just made homemade hand sanitizer and you’re feeling pretty awesome right now. 🙂
You can use these squeeze tubes that you can get online, or you can check the travel toiletries section at your drug store for similar bottles or tubes.
Just throw them in your purse or backpack so you always have it on the go. Or you can use a pump bottle to keep on your desk at work.
Natural Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients
- 1 cup 91% isopropyl alcohol ( (you can also use 70% alcohol, specifically for COVID-19))
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
- 45 drops tea tree oil ( (optional; adds antibacterial properties))
- 15 drops essential oil ( (to round out the scent; rosemary, lavender, cinnamon are great))
- 3/4 tsp vitamin E oil ( (optional; for moisturizing))
- squeeze tubes or bottles
Instructions
- In a small glass bowl, add the essential oils and vitamin E oil (if using)and stir.
- Add the alcohol and stir again.
- Add the aloe vera gel and mix very well.
- Using a funnel, pour the mixture into your container of choice.
- Shake well before using.
Notes
Warnings:
- As always, use caution and care when working with essential oils. Keep in mind that some oils are not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding. So please, research the oils you wish to use before you add them to your recipe. A good resource on safety is Using EOs Safely.
- Although this recipe is safe for adults and young children, I wouldn’t use this (or any sanitizer) on children younger than 2 years of age.
- Alcohol is highly flammable! Please do not use this near an open flame.
- As always, the information on this blog is for educational purposes only, and is not meant be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed professional physician.
This is great thank you so much, I did it and it’s i little bit watery, the smell and feeling tells it all, thanks!
I used 91% alcohol equate, and leader aloe vera smoothing gel… That was it! A little bit watery but it works perfectly!
This is great if you can find alcohol anywhere. Right now you can’t find it which is so sad.
Why claim its alcohol-free all natural when the first ingredient is alcohol just to get people to click on it . unbelievable!!
Hi Dennis, if you read the update notes at the very top of this post, you would see that I’ve reformulated the recipe to be in accordance with the CDC and WHO recommendations for a sanitizer that kills viruses like COVID-19. I definitely do not engage in any click baiting. That being said, this was originally a very old post, so naturally there will be older photos and marketing images on various social media platforms with messaging about the old formula. There’s no way I can trace all of those down, so the note at the top of the post will have to suffice. It’s unfortunate that you found it necessary to rate this recipe with such a low rating, even though you didn’t actually try to make it.
Mine came out watery 😞
Curious, what brand of Aloe vera gel you’re using?
You’ll need to change the original heading now that reads “Non-Toxic”. That’s alot of alcohol. And it is toxic. I understand why you changed the recipe in light of the virus. But the heading is misleading.
You’re absolutely right, Amanda, thanks for pointing that out!
When I put in the aloe Vera gel, it just solidified. It would not mix with the alcohol & but E oil. What did I do wrong?
Hmm, I’ve never had that happen before. Did you try whisking it really well? Maybe there’s an ingredient in the brand of aloe that you’re using that’s causing it to solidify like that. What brand are you using?
I followed your recipe foe hand sanitizer and my aloe vera gel clumped together. I have mixed it and it is still a glob. Any suggeations? I used Aloe Farms aloe vera gel.
I’m not sure why so many are having the clumping issue, but I suspect it has to do with some of the extra ingredients in some Aloe vera gels. I would try throwing the mixture into a blender and blending it until it’s smooth. If you try it, please let us know how it works!
Mine also did this… not sure why
I’m not sure why so many are having the clumping issue, but I suspect it has to do with some of the extra ingredients in some Aloe vera gels. I would try throwing the mixture into a blender and blending it until it’s smooth. If you try it, please let us know how it works!
I’ve tried several different brands and they all do that
I’m not sure why so many are having the clumping issue, but I suspect it has to do with some of the extra ingredients in some Aloe vera gels. I would try throwing the mixture into a blender and blending it until it’s smooth. If you try it, please let us know how it works!
Can home made aloe vera gel be used in this recipe?
I’ve read that you can use aloe vera from the plant, but I believe it’s more sticky than store bought and you might have to adjust accordingly. Maybe try diluting it with some distilled water, but make sure the final amount of aloe and water is still the same (½ cup) so that you don’t risk also diluting the alcohol in the recipe.
Sarah, I live in a 55+ community in Phoenix. As you will understand, a number of our residents are “concerned” and certain supplies are not available. I have been using your site for DIY cleaning supplies since I discovered it. With your permission, I would like to put an information sheet together for my neighbors. It would feature your website prominently including a link and a list of some of your recipes. I think the information on your site would give some residents a measure of control by letting them know that there are things they can do, and that they are not completely dependent on others.
Absolutely, Condra! And bless you for your efforts!
Mine came out watery. I think you only need 1/2 cup alcohol . I used lily of the valley aloe vera gel it’s 99% organic.
Any isopropyl alcohol over 60% strength will work to give full protection. Your info is incorrect.
You’re right that straight alcohol over 60% strength will work on its own. But that would be very harsh on the skin to use it without diluting it. If you were to add other ingredients to cut the harshness, then you would dilute the strength as well, and it would no longer be the minimum 60% required. That’s why 91% is recommended, so you have some wiggle room to dilute it with other nourishing ingredients like aloe vera gel.
I think that Sarah stated alcohol at 91% by volume because that will be reduced when mixed with other ingredients, in which case she would not be incorrect. The final product is probably 60% alcohol by volume. If you start with 60% by volume, the final mixture would be ineffective.
What does it mean in the recipe : 10-1 essential oils?
That should say 10-15 drops. Sorry about that!
Hi sarah, I can only find isopropyl alcohol 99.9%, 98%. Is that ok?
That’s totally fine!
This sounds great with rhis corona virus going around!🙂
Thanks for the article. Most of the store-bought sanitizers have chemicals and alcohol in it. This will be a better replacement for that. Always go the natural products.
Hi Sarah, is it best to store this hand sanitiser is a dark bottle because of the eo’s? I have seen this recommendation with other recipes. I have just tried this recipe for the first time and found it easy to follow! I added some almond oil instead of vit E for softness. Is this ok too?
You’re right! If you’re storing diluted oils, like in this recipe, you can use “PET plastic” containers. It should say “PET” right on the bottle. Thanks for pointing this out, I’ll update the post. And almond oil sounds perfectly fine!
This sounds great with rhis corona virus going around!🙂
This would make a great option to stick in your lunch bag! It’ll keep cold, you can use it before and after you eat. I also want to use natural in a batch! I was thinking of how it could be convenient… we have a snack drawer for the kids; I will stick one in there for sanitizing before snacks and meals. It’s isnt practical for all day/every day use, but it is for specific parts of the day. I plan to make it both ways!
What kind of container could you use that will not be affected by the EO’s? I think they degrade plastic…
You’re right! If you’re storing diluted oils, like in this recipe, you can use “PET plastic” containers. It should say “PET” right on the bottle. Thanks for pointing this out, I’ll update the post.
Hi, thanks for this info. Can I used coconut oi instead of essential oil. Thanks.
No, coconut oil and essential oils are not interchangeable. The essential oils are highly concentrated oils and are used for their therapeutic properties. Coconut oil is a carrier oil and is generally used in large quantities as a base oil or for moisturizing.
Hi. I have several recipes for hand sanitizer, and this one will go in my collection. I wonder why you didn’t include the thyme oil as stated it is effective against drug resistant bacteria? I am not fond of the smell of tea tree, and nothing I add even gets close to covering it up. 30 drops TT to 10 drops lavender….won’t begin to make it smell like anything other than TT I may try Thyme and Rosemary, both effective against bacteria. Also, I haven’t found any aloe vera gel that doesn’t have VERY questionable ingredients, and I will not buy Lily of the Desert, as they put caragheenan in their dietary supplement, and as someone pointed out, nasty stuff in the link you provided. I, too, use Mountain Rose Herbs product, and will in this as well. It makes it much thinner, but also much healthier, which is what we’re aiming for anyway, right?
Thank you for the recipe!
You’re welcome, Carol! I chose to go with tea tree oil because it’s specifically effective against e.coli and staph infection, whereas thyme is more effective against food borne bacteria like salmonella or those found in milk, for instance. Rosemary is a great choice, as well as cinnamon and oregano. Thanks for pointing out the other options, I’ll go ahead and add those to the post for others to see as well.
Also, about Lily of the Desert, I’ve read a lot about carrageenan, but haven’t found conclusive information that it should be avoided in skin care products. I did come across this post recently: https://www.annmariegianni.com/carrageenan-in-skin-care/
I’m still doing more research on this, but thank you for bring it up, and for sharing your alternative aloe vera from Mountain Rose Herbs. Their products are excellent!
Lily of the desert aloe vera gel contains phenoxyethanol as a preservative. I’ve seen research that states phenoxyethanol can cause skin and lung irritation. It’s also toxic to the kidneys, nervous system, and liver, and repeated, long-term exposure can cause organ damage. I have seen some safer alternatives on amazon but they have a very short shelf life (approx. 2-3 months) and require refrigeration after opening. I was wondering if you have found a safer aloe vera gel that will last longer without refrigeration? Thank you!
Your information on the lily of nature ( i think that was the name) product was muchly appreciated. I have seen the priduct before and wondered if it was among the long list of products that pretend to be the healthier versions of products with carcinogins purposely added for our ingestion! I guess if they cant make us all smoke , they can sell the bottled death in a less destructive looking package!!
Again , thank you for the headsup. Also, have you thought of oil if oregano, very powerful fighter of bacteria!!
Hi! Thank you for all the wonderful information and recipes you provide!
I’ve read that antibacterial products strip the skin away from the beneficial bacteria that live on it, will this homemade gel do this as well?
Hey Alexandria, you’re right that certain ingredients can be too harsh and kill off even the beneficial bacteria. But in researching this topic, I haven’t come across any papers claiming that a natural antibacterial/antiviral like tea tree oil kills off the good bacteria.
What brand(s) of Aloe Vera Gel have you tried or used in this recipe? I use Mountain Rose Herbs brand in other homemade recipes, like my face wash and sunburn soother, however it’s very thin since it’s about as natural as you can get. The only additives are:
Potassium Sorbate- 0.05%
Ascorbic Acid- 0.10%
Citric Acid- 0.05%
Xanthan Gum- 0.005%
I guess my question is, however much I love this brand for other things, do you have a brand that’s perhaps a little thicker? I have tried to add more xanthan gum and soy lechitin powder to mine, but it leaves a film on my hands. Thanks in advance!
Ah, I didn’t click the link! Nevermind ;). I’ve seen the Lily of the Dessert brand and stopped short of the Phenoxyethanol. I wish I could find one out there with a natural preservative like radish root ferment. I might need to befriend a chemist ;).
Haha, I would love to befriend a chemist! <3
Hi! I made your hand sanitizer a while back and LOVE how it does not dry out my skin and is not harsh! i wanted to make large batches for a school I use to work at (since they use the harsh stuff and one, it is really damaging their hands, and two, they use it on children). So I am excited to share this (I will include your info for credit). 😉 My question though is, will this work well with a pump? I would assume so but wanted to ask what you would recommend before I purchase anything. Thanks!
That is awesome and thoughtful of you to make this for your school, Shauna! To be honest, I have no idea if/how this will do in a pump because I haven’t tried it. But I would love to hear how it goes if you do go ahead and try it in a pump!
ETA: I’ve tried this in a pump, and it works great! If it’s too thick for you, just add a little more witch hazel or some distilled water to water it down a tiny bit so it flows through the pump better.
Just wondering if this recipe would work if I was to substitute the aloe vera gel with a lotion, like Aveeno baby fragrance free? I have a bunch I never used and thought it might work as far as consistency and to keep hands soft.
Olivia, I’m not sure that would work. Aloe vera is an integral part of this recipe and really can’t be substituted with a lotion. It just wouldn’t have the same effects and the texture would be way off. It’s best to just use 100% aloe vera gel.
What a great idea! We don’t use a lot of hand sanitizer, but sometimes we do when we are out. This would be a much better alternative!
It really is great, Heather, and actually feels like the real thing! I love when that happens. 🙂