My DIY Hand Sanitizer with Essential Oils is non-drying, toxin-free, and saves you so much money. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to have quality hand sanitizer within your reach. There are many options, but these antibacterial items kill every form of bacteria on your hands, even the good kind.
Storebought hand sanitizers can weaken your immune system, which is the last thing you want! Your body needs a certain amount of good bacteria to keep your immune system healthy. My DIY Hand Sanitizer with Essential Oils is non-drying, toxin-free, and saves you so much money. I know you’re going to love it as much as we do!
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3 Reasons to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
Many people wouldn’t consider making hand sanitizer themselves, but there are so many reasons why you should! Here are a few of my top “whys” for making homemade hand sanitizer.
1. DIY Hand Sanitizer is Always Available
In the last year or so, hand sanitizer was flying off the shelves. Many of our friends were unable to find a single bottle! Most people have no clue that they can DIY almost any personal care product, which means many folks went without sanitizer. Part of the reason I love DIYing so much is that it puts the power back in your hands.
You’re no longer dependent on a grocery store to provide for your family, and you’re never out of luck when that store’s items are out of stock. Plus, you can share your newly found skill-set with other people and bless them with supplies as well. No more running out of hand sanitizer! Doesn’t that thought bring peace to your mind?
2. Homemade Hand Sanitizer is Free of Toxins
Over the years, hand sanitizer has gone through the wringer. The FDA warned against using “alcohol-free” varieties due to microbial contamination. (1) Consumers were experiencing not only skin irritations but lung and bloodstream infections too. Not too long ago, the FDA issued a ruling that officially bans the use of triclocarban, triclosan, and 17 other dangerous chemicals and body washes. Unfortunately, this is not enough to keep us safe. (2)
Many sanitizers contain a toxin called methanol, which can be fatal if ingested in even small doses. (3) You may not think of consuming hand sanitizer, but if you live in a home with little ones, this should be enough to make you think twice before your next purchase! When you DIY your hand sanitizer, you have complete control over the ingredients and feel safer using them around children.
3. DIY Hand Sanitizer is Customizable
The best part of DIY recipes is making them reflect your unique needs. God created each of us to be unique, and our products can show that uniqueness! If you need protection from stubborn stains, you can add antibacterial essential oils. If you need a mood boost, add citrus.
You can also customize the amount of alcohol to fit your skin’s needs. As long as your ingredients contain 60% alcohol, you’re adequately sanitizing your hands! You can even make your hand sanitizer in spray form if that’s what works best for you. The possibilities are endless! I encourage you to get creative and make your product work for you.
Safer DIY Hand Sanitizer Ingredients
This simple set of ingredients will give you a lovely hand sanitizer. Here’s what you need.
190 Proof Grain Alcohol: The higher the alcohol quality, the better! We recommend using 190 proof alcohol, but if you can get something better, please do! Alcohol is a great ingredient that sanitizes the skin without leaving it overly dry.
Essential Oils: Choose from any of the combinations below or get creative and make your own blend! We would love to hear what essential oil blends you come up with.
- Christmas Blend – Fir needle (Balsam fir, Douglas fir, white fir), peppermint, and vanilla absolute
- Deep Breathing Blend – Cardamom, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree
- Focus Blend – Cedarwood, frankincense, sandalwood, and vetiver
- Goodbye Allergy Blend – Lavender, lemon, and peppermint
- Healthy Digestion Blend – Anise, caraway, fennel, ginger, lemon, tarragon
- Immune Boosting Blend – Cinnamon leaf (bark would be too strong in this recipe), clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange, and lemon
- Happy Blend – Orange, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, and vanilla absolute
- Sleepy Time Blend – Roman chamomile, lavender, and vetiver
How to Make DIY Hand Sanitizer with Essential Oils
This recipe is easy to make. Within minutes you’ll have an abundance of sanitizer!
Immune Boosting Hand Sanitizer
Equipment
Materials
- 10 drops Immune-Boosting Essential Oil Blend*
- 190-proof grain alcohol (or the highest-proof alcohol you can get)
Instructions
- Choose the essential oils to add that meet your desired result-for example, if you want a soothing sanitizer, use lavender; if you want an uplifting blend, use sweet or wild orange.
- Place the essential oils into the bottle.
- Add alcohol to fill the bottle.
- Shake to mix thoroughly.
- To use, add plenty of product to your hands, rub vigorously, and keep wet for as long as possible until your hands air dry.
Notes
your preferred essential oil blend. *Our Immune-Boosting Blend is equal parts cinnamon bark, clove,
eucalyptus, lemon, orange, and rosemary essential oils. **At least 60% alcohol is necessary to sanitize the hands, but this
concentration is insufficient for solubilizing essential oils. So, shake
the bottle before each use.
Step One: Add Essential Oils
Decide what your desired result is and choose essential oils that will help you get there. You should have 10 drops in total. Need inspiration? Check out the combinations I recommended. Add the essential oils to the flip-top bottle.
Step Two: Add Alcohol
Add alcohol to fill the rest of the bottle. Shake thoroughly until the essential oil is fully mixed. It’s that simple! To use, pour a generous amount on your hands, rub vigorously, and let your hands air dry.
Hand Sanitizer Spray Variation
If you prefer your sanitizer in spray form, you’re in for a treat. My DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray works great and smells lovely. We have bottles of sanitizer in the diaper bag, car, gym bags…this DIY is in every room of our house!
Healthy Hand Sanitizer With Moisturizing Option
Equipment
- 1-ounce glass spray bottle OR 1-ounce PET plastic flip-top bottle
Materials
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil OR other oil(s) you prefer *
- 190-proof grain alcohol (OR the highest-proof alcohol you can get) **
- 2-3 drops aloe vera gel (optional)
- 2-3 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add the essential oils to the spray bottle or plastic flip-top bottle.
- If you want a moisturizing sanitizer, add aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil. Then add alcohol to fill the bottle.
- Shake to blend.
- To use, shake, add plenty of product to your hands, rub vigorously, and let your hands air dry
Notes
example, if you want a soothing sanitizer, use lavender; if you want
an uplifting blend, use sweet or wild orange, and any of our other
essential oil blends already mentioned. **At least 60% alcohol is necessary to sanitize the hands, but this
concentration is insufficient for solubilizing essential oils. So, shake
the bottle before each use.
Step One: Fill the Bottle With Liquid
Fill a quarter of the spray bottle with grain alcohol and the rest with water.
Step Two: Add Essential Oils
Add the essential oils of your choosing. Add a little vitamin E and aloe if you want a moisturizing spray. Shake to blend. To use, spray on your hands and rub them together as you would with a conventional hand sanitizer.
