Name: DIY Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera Gel
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 5 oz. 190-proof vodka; 5 drops clove essential oil; 20 drops citrus essential oil (lemon, bergamot); 10 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil; 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil; 10 drops rosemary or thyme essential oil; 10 drops tea tree essential oil; 3 oz. aloe vera gel

This DIY hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel is the perfect natural option for when you don’t have water and soap to wash your hands.

DIY hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel

Lots of us like to have hand sanitizer on hand these days. Having a clean, natural version is an absolute must! Why not make your own DIY hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel?

I have my go-to recipe for homemade hand sanitizer with essential oils to help your family stay clean year round. If you’re looking for ways we like to stay well, you’ll want my elderberry syrup and fermented garlic honey recipes.

Ready to learn how to make a DIY hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel? Keep reading…

How do you make homemade hand sanitizer?

It might sound like something that would be hard or complicated to make, but it is actually easy to make hand sanitizer at home. Regular hand sanitizer isn’t the most natural thing you can put on your skin, so it’s nice to be able to make it yourself, and be in control over all of the ingredients.

Washing up with soap and water is my favorite way to keep hands clean. This tallow soap is my favorite. But, soap and water isn’t always an option!

When soap and water aren’t available, you can still keep your hands clean with this homemade hand sanitizer with vodka and aloe vera gel.

Keep scrolling to learn how to make your own hand sanitizer…

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How do you make hand sanitizer with aloe vera?

Is aloe vera good for hand sanitizer? Yes it is! I really like it as an ingredient for this DIY hand sanitizer, because aloe vera is soothing and hydrating for skin. It is also a great carrier ingredient for the essential oils.

Besides aloe vera gel, you’ll also need some 190-proof vodka, and essential oils.

These are my favorite essential oils for their antiviral and antibacterial properties:

You don’t need to use all of these essential oils, but it is a good idea to use at least 4 or 5 of them from this list. That way you’ll have a variety of antiviral and antibacterial properties in your hand sanitizer.

A note on cinnamon essential oil: Make sure to use cinnamon leaf essential oil, and not cinnamon bark. Cinnamon bark is too strong and might irritate skin.

If you’re planning to use this hand sanitizer for kids, I recommend leaving the cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, and thyme out, as those essential oils aren’t recommended for kids (source).

Keep reading to see the DIY Hand Sanitizer recipe…

Tips in making a hand sanitizer

I’ve been making my own hand sanitizer for years now and I have learned a few tips along the way. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your own hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel.

Make sure you use cinnamon leaf and not cinnamon bark. This will be less harsh on your skin.
Before adding the aloe vera gel, make sure the essential oils are completely dissolved in the vodka. This is done by simply shaking or whisking the ingredients so that they are completely immersed.

Remember that 91% alcohol is best for this recipe. Lower alcohol percentages will result in a less effective sanitizer.

How to make your own hand sanitizer

Ingredients:

5 oz. 190-proof vodka
5 drops clove essential oil
20 drops citrus essential oil (lemon, bergamot)
10 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops rosemary or thyme essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil
3 oz. aloe vera gel

Instructions:

Add essential oils and vodka to a jar with a tight fighting lid.
Shake well to combine essential oils with vodka.
Add aloe vera gel, and shake well to combine.
Pour into storage container of choice. We like these silicone squeeze tubes.

How to use your hand sanitizer

You might be wondering how to properly use your hand sanitizer. I like to keep my DIY hand sanitizer in these nifty little silicone squeeze tubes so it’s easy to bring along anywhere we go. Another option would be a glass bottle with a pump top.

To use your hand sanitizer, just squeeze a small amount into one hand, rub your hands together, and you’re done!

Of course, hand sanitizer should never replace a good hand washing. Soap and water are still best for keeping dirtiness at bay.

How to make hand sanitizer thicker

If you prefer a thicker hand sanitizer, my best recommendation is to add a little bit of arrowroot powder.

Simply sprinkle in a little bit (a pinch or two will work great) into the alcohol and mix before adding in the other ingredients. This will thicken your hand sanitizer and work just as well at cleaning!

Is it safe to use?

DIY hand sanitizer is very safe to use! In fact, you could argue that the clean, natural ingredients make it even safer to use.

With the removal of harsh, toxic chemicals that traditional hand sanitizers have, this recipe for homemade hand sanitizer is arguably safer.

How to make hand sanitizer without aloe vera

While this recipe calls for aloe vera gel, some people have allergies or prefer using something else on their skin. If this is you, fear not! A great alternative is ⅓ cup of vegetable glycerin.

Whether you prefer to avoid aloe vera or are simply looking for an alternative for aloe vera if it isn’t around, this is the best solution.

Hydrogen peroxide hand sanitizer

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that can kill viruses and makes an amazing disinfectant. It is not, however, gentle enough to put on skin.

This is why (especially with young kids!) It’s important to make your hand sanitizer with a skin friendly substance.

Essential oils with antibacterial and antiviral properties

Essential oils are one of the best tools that I keep around. They can help us with congestion, emotions, sleep, and are jam packed with antibacterial and antiviral properties.

For this recipe, you want to make sure that you use 4-5 different oils from the ingredients list. This will help ensure that you are getting a variety of antibacterial properties.

How to boost your immune system

Of course, avoiding germs isn’t everything. The most important thing to do to stay well is to keep your immune system strong.

We try to keep our immune systems strong by eating a nutrient dense, Nourishing Traditions style diet, and using some supplements like cod liver oil and elderberry syrup.

How long does homemade hand sanitizer last?

With this DIY hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel recipe, it can last up to 12 months when stored properly. Since the alcohol will eventually dissolve, it’s best to whip up a fresh batch every couple of months.