Keeping hands clean when you are out and about is something we all think about more these days. While washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is always the best option, it is not always practical. Maybe you have just handled a shopping cart, touched a door handle, or finished pumping gas, and there is no sink in sight. That is where having a hand sanitizer spray can be incredibly convenient. Instead of relying solely on store-bought options, which sometimes contain ingredients you might prefer to avoid or have scents you do not love, why not try making your own simple, natural version? It is easier than you might think, gives you control over the ingredients, and can even save you a bit of money in the long run.
Creating your own hand sanitizer spray allows you to tailor it to your preferences. You can choose scents you enjoy using essential oils and ensure it contains moisturizing elements to counteract the drying effects of the necessary alcohol component. Plus, there is a certain satisfaction in making something useful yourself! This recipe focuses on simplicity and readily available natural ingredients.
Why Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer?
There are several good reasons to consider a DIY approach:
- Ingredient Control: You know exactly what is going into your spray. No hidden chemicals, unfamiliar preservatives, or overpowering artificial fragrances unless you choose to add fragrance yourself.
- Reduced Harshness: Many commercial sanitizers can be very drying or irritating due to high synthetic chemical content or specific types of alcohol. By adding natural moisturizers like aloe vera or glycerin, you can make it kinder to your skin.
- Customization: Love the smell of lavender? Prefer the invigorating scent of peppermint? You can add your favorite essential oils (use them sparingly!) to create a personalized scent profile.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Especially if you use hand sanitizer regularly, buying the base ingredients in larger quantities and making your own can be more economical over time compared to constantly purchasing small bottles.
- Eco-Friendlier Option: By refilling your own spray bottles, you can reduce plastic waste compared to buying single-use plastic sanitizer bottles repeatedly.
Understanding the Key Ingredients
A truly effective hand sanitizer needs one crucial component: alcohol. This is the active ingredient responsible for dealing with unwanted microbes on your skin. However, not just any alcohol will do, and the concentration is critical.
The Power Player: High-Proof Alcohol
For a hand sanitizer to be effective based on general recommendations, the final mixture needs to contain at least 60% alcohol. To achieve this, you must start with a high-proof alcohol. The two most commonly recommended types are:
- Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol): Look for 91% or ideally 99% concentration. Standard 70% rubbing alcohol is already diluted and will likely result in a final mixture below the 60% threshold once you add other ingredients like aloe or water.
- Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol): This is grain alcohol. You need a high proof, such as 190 proof (which is 95% alcohol). Lower proof options like standard vodka or gin (typically 40% alcohol or 80 proof) are not strong enough for an effective sanitizer.
The alcohol works by disrupting the outer layers of microbes. Using a concentration lower than 60% significantly reduces its effectiveness.
The Moisturizing Counterpart: Aloe Vera Gel or Vegetable Glycerin
Alcohol is very effective, but it is also very drying to the skin. Repeated use can lead to dry, cracked hands. To counteract this, we add a moisturizing agent. Good natural options include:
- Aloe Vera Gel: Known for its soothing and hydrating properties. Try to find pure aloe vera gel without too many additives or artificial colors.
- Vegetable Glycerin: A humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin. It is clear, odorless, and leaves skin feeling soft.
You only need a small amount relative to the alcohol to provide that moisturizing balance without overly diluting the mixture.
The Optional Additions: Distilled Water and Essential Oils
- Distilled or Cooled Boiled Water: If your mixture seems too thick, especially when using a higher percentage of aloe or glycerin, you can thin it slightly with a small amount of water. Using distilled or previously boiled (and cooled) water is recommended to avoid introducing any impurities or microbes from tap water. Use sparingly, as too much water will dilute the alcohol concentration.
- Essential Oils: Primarily for fragrance. A few drops can add a pleasant scent. Some popular choices include lavender, tea tree, peppermint, lemon, or orange. Remember that essential oils are potent; start with just 5-10 drops per few ounces of sanitizer. They do not significantly boost the sanitizing power at these low concentrations but make the experience more enjoyable. Always choose high-quality, pure essential oils.
Simple DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray Recipe
This recipe aims for a final alcohol concentration above 60% and is easy to mix.
What You Will Need:
- A clean measuring cup with spout (preferably glass or stainless steel)
- A small funnel
- Clean, empty spray bottles (2-4 oz size is convenient for portability; glass is preferred if using essential oils, but PET plastic is also usable)
- High-Proof Alcohol: 2/3 cup (approx 160ml) of 91% or 99% Isopropyl Alcohol or 190 proof Ethanol
- Moisturizer: 1/3 cup (approx 80ml) of Pure Aloe Vera Gel or Vegetable Glycerin
- Distilled or Cooled Boiled Water (Optional): 1-2 teaspoons, only if needed for consistency
- Essential Oils (Optional): 10-20 drops of your preferred oil(s)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Make sure your hands, measuring cup, funnel, and spray bottles are thoroughly clean. Work in a well-ventilated area away from any open flames or sparks, as high-proof alcohol is flammable.
- Measure the Alcohol: Carefully measure 2/3 cup of your chosen high-proof alcohol (Isopropyl or Ethanol) into the measuring cup.
- Add the Moisturizer: Add 1/3 cup of Aloe Vera Gel or Vegetable Glycerin to the alcohol in the measuring cup.
- Mix Thoroughly: Whisk the alcohol and moisturizer together until well combined. The mixture might look slightly cloudy or have small clumps initially, especially with aloe; keep mixing until it is as smooth as possible.
- Check Consistency (Optional): If the mixture seems too thick to spray easily, add 1 teaspoon of distilled or cooled boiled water and mix again. Add another teaspoon only if absolutely necessary. Remember, adding too much water will reduce the alcohol percentage.
- Add Essential Oils (Optional): If using, add 10-20 drops of your chosen essential oil(s) to the mixture and whisk again to incorporate.
- Transfer to Bottles: Place the funnel into the opening of a clean spray bottle. Carefully pour the mixture from the measuring cup through the funnel into the bottle. Leave a little headspace at the top.
- Seal and Shake: Secure the spray top tightly onto the bottle. Shake the bottle vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to ensure everything is fully mixed.
- Label Your Bottles: Clearly label the bottles as “Hand Sanitizer Spray” and perhaps note the date made and the primary scent if you used essential oils. This prevents accidental misuse.
Using Your DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray
To use, spray 2-3 pumps onto the palm of one hand. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces – palms, back of hands, between fingers, and around fingertips and nails – until your hands feel dry. This should take about 20-30 seconds. It is important to use enough product to keep your hands wet for that duration while rubbing.
Remember, this spray is intended for situations where soap and water are not readily available. It does not replace the effectiveness of proper handwashing, which physically removes dirt and grime along with microbes.
Important Safety Considerations: Always use high-proof alcohol (91%+ Isopropyl or 190 proof Ethanol) to ensure the final mixture is above the recommended 60% alcohol concentration for effectiveness. Perform a patch test on a small area of skin before regular use, especially if you have sensitive skin or added essential oils. This mixture is flammable; keep it away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Store securely out of reach of children and pets. This DIY spray is not a substitute for thorough handwashing with soap and water.
Customizing Your Spray
Feel free to adjust the essential oils to find a scent combination you love. You can also try blending aloe and glycerin if you like properties of both. Just maintain the core ratio of approximately 2 parts high-proof alcohol to 1 part total moisturizer/other liquids to keep the alcohol concentration high enough. If you find the spray slightly sticky (which can sometimes happen with glycerin or certain aloe gels), try slightly reducing the amount of moisturizer next time, ensuring you do not go below the effective alcohol threshold.
Enjoy Your Natural Creation
Making your own hand sanitizer spray is a simple project that puts you in charge of the ingredients. It offers a convenient way to clean your hands on the go, with the added benefits of natural moisturizers and your choice of scent. Keep a bottle in your bag, car, or office drawer for those times when a sink is out of reach. It is a small, practical step towards a more natural approach to everyday needs.
