UPDATE: APRIL 1ST, 2020
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE TWO RECIPES ON THIS BLOG POST, THE ORIGINAL RECIPE (PAGE DOWN) FOR THE DIY HAND SANITIZER WAS PUBLISHED ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO AND IS AN EFFECTIVE HAND SANITIZER IN “NORMAL” CIRCUMSTANCES, TO BE USED IF YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT AND DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO SOAP AND WATER.
WASHING YOUR HANDS IS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO TO KILL GERMS AND VIRUSES.
If you are looking for a hand sanitizer because you can’t find one in stores, you can use this.
The mixture should contain at least two-thirds 99 percent isopropyl alcohol and one-third gel. Do not use Vodka, it’s not strong enough. Do not use denatured alcohol either.
⅔ cup rubbing alcohol (99% isopropyl alcohol)
⅓ cup aloe Vera gel
Please click here to read more.
ORIGINAL BLOG POST BEGINS HERE: please note the recipe below is a recipe I created a few years ago. These are ingredients that I use in a lot of my DIY recipes.
Hand sanitizer is quick, portable, convenient and toxic, It’s why I’ve created a simple DIY Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer (That Actually Works).
Sanitizers contain an antibiotic compound called triclosan or triclocarban, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that triclosan could carry unnecessary risks and recent studies have raised questions about whether triclosan might be hazardous to human health.
Triclosan and triclocarban are suspected hormone disruptors and have been linked to cancer and reproductive health problems. Their wide use of antimicrobial agents in products may have also contributed to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Triclosan was declared toxic to the environment by the Canadian government in 2012 but has yet to restrict its use in personal care products. Hundreds of products that Canadians use daily continue to may contain triclosan or triclocarban. UGH!!
Back in September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on antimicrobial chemicals triclosan and triclocarban in over-the-counter hand and body washes (this ingredient can also be found in soaps and even toothpaste. These products are often labelled antibacterial, antimicrobial, or antiseptic soaps).
Manufacturers in the U.S. will now have one year to remove or reformulate products that contain triclosan and triclocarban. The Canadian government has to mirror the ban quickly to avoid Canada becoming a dumping ground for products containing these harmful ingredients. These chemicals continue to put the health and environment of Canadians at risk and offer no apparent hygienic benefits for consumers. Washing your hands with warm water and regular soap has been shown to be equally effective.
Related Post: DIY vs Buy: 5 Important Questions To Ask
There are times, however, when you are out and don’t have access to soap and water and need a little spritz, so here is my fabulous (if I do say so myself) kid-friendly hand-sanitizer.
A little about this recipe, I chose to add coconut oil to my hand sanitizer because of its moisturizing properties. After a few trials, I find this is the most effective one I have made.
Witch Hazel is an excellent astringent, has antimicrobial properties and helps to moisturize as well.
Tea Tree essential oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antiviral.
Lavender essential oil is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial.
Lemon essential oil has anti-infection,astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, and antifungal properties.
| Prep Time | 5 Minutes |
| Servings |
|
- 1 oz Witch hazel
- 1 oz Coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp Vitamin E oil
- 6 oz Aloe vera
- 12 drops Lavender essential oil
- 12 drops Tea tree essential oil
- 4 drops Lemon essential oil
- 1 small Spray bottle
Ingredients
|
|
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler
- Add the vitamin E and essential oils to the coconut oil
- Stir well
- Add the aloe vera and witch hazel and stir again
- Pour the mixture into the bottle and give it a good shake before using
- The Ritual: Shake then spray directly onto your hands when needed
Recommended for: All skin types
Usage: When you need it
Make sure you do a patch test before trying any new products
If you are pregnant, make sure you check with your doctor before using any product with essential oils
Related post: 5 Canadian Natural Cleaning Products For The Eco-Conscious Home
If you are using essential oils, always do a patch test, you can put 1-2 drops into a tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut, jojoba etc.) and test it on a small area of your skin.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to see a photo, tag @theecohub on social media and use the hashtag #TheEcoHub, I’d love to see your creations.
The DIY recipes shared on this website haven’t been tested in a lab. Information about my products or recipes hasn’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a doctor or specialist for specific concerns about any skincare issues, cleaning products, or dietary needs. Please use your discretion, based on your own research, when making homemade products.
![The Complete Kitchen Detox Guide [eBook]](https://theecohub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Eco-Hub-Ebook-Detox-Your-Kitchen-1a-400x250.jpg)
The recipe should be up, thanks for catching that!
warmly,
Candice
Hi Candice,
Does the coconut oil ever solidify and cause it to clog the tub and not spray out?
I am having this issue as I just eyeballed and didn’t follow your recipe to the required ratios.
Hi Paul,
this has not happened for me, you can leave the coconut oil out and try something like aloe vera. I like coconut oil because it acts as a moisturizer.
LMK if that works,
all my best,
Candice
Hi, can I add alcohol and how many oz?
Hi Gardy,
I have updated the recipe. Please take a look and let me know if you have any additional questions,
best,
Candice
Hello
Is there a Vivid sanitise I can make without aloe please? I’m allergic to aloe
As I have never tried this recipe, I cannot give you an option. I only use Aloe in this recipe.
thank you,
Candice
Hi candice
Just to clarify, to make the hand sanitiser with Isopropyl Alcohol, 99%, do we add the alcohol and aloe Vera to the non toxic sanitizer recipe with coconut oil and other ingredients? Or the toxic sanitizer is only made with aloe Vera jel and the isopropyl alcohol? Thanks for your help
Hello, Riz,
these are two separate recipes. The first recipe is what the CDC recommends, aloe Vera gel and isopropyl alcohol and the second is the one noted below.
thank you,
Candice
I made a batch this weekend, and have let the ladies I work with try it, Everyone loved it, thanks for the great recipe.
That’s so great to hear! It’s one of our favourite recipes. 🙂
The main active ingredient in hand sanitizers like Purell is ethyl alcohol.
It’s ONE of the ingredients.
thanks.
An you use methylated spirits instead of alcohol?
No, I do not recommend your use of denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol contains ethanol, which could lead you to think it might be a worthwhile substitute. But ingredients are added to the bottles of denatured alcohol for effectiveness and to make it poisonous, so people can’t drink it. Those ingredients can be dangerous if absorbed through the skin and can also irritate your hands. Health experts, both at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, don’t advise making your own hand sanitizer at all.
Can you use fractionated coconut oil?
Yes you can.
I can’t find aloe Vera gel anywhere. I did find organic coconut oil, but not fractionated. What can I use in place of the aloe Vera gel? I am using 180proof grain alcohol. (Everclear)
Aloe is one of the key ingredients in this formula. I don’t have a replacement for it. Where have you tried to find it?
Where do you find aloe Vera gel?
It’s very hard to find right now.
I found Aloe Vera gel at Walmart.
Hi have you used hemp oil? If you did what percentage or how many drops?
Yes, you can use it, I have not, give it a try, I’d use the same amount.
What about using vegetable glycerin instead of aloe gel. I was able to find this, wheras aloe is out of stock everywhere. As is rubbing alcohol! I’m hoping the other ingredients are enough. Is there any kind of hand sanitizer made of peroxide? Thanks.
I found Aloe Vera gel at Walmart.
hello.i am wondering if i can used the coconut oil in the liquid form ( the one we used as hair oil) ex= parachute brand coconut oil???
Yes, that should be fine.
another thing. Does excessive amount of witch hazel can cause skin irritation or skin blemish??? Need ur reply asap here.
It depends on what you mean by excessive amounts. Always do a patch test before using any product. I have not found it to be irritating, it’s not meant to be used on your face.
Can I use baby oil that has aloe Vera in it?
You can try it, but it will not have the same results as the consistency is very different.
You can use the baby oil gel.
Can I use Eco hair styling gel with 70% alcohol to make hand sanitizer?
I do not recommend you do that. I don’t know what the other ingredients are.
thank you,
Candice
Can I use Johnson Shea oil/gel as aloe gel is impossible to find
You can give it a try, the aloe gel has a specific consistency that oil does not. Do you have access to Glycerin?
Stores are OUT of aloe gel around here. OUT of alcohol. OUT of witch hazel. What else can we use to make a hand sanitizer since there is NONE to be had anywhere? People here are buying it by the case as soon as the trucks show up and are reselling it at marked up prices!
It’s a terrible situation. Unfortunately, this is the reality right now.
Sorry, I can’t be more help.
Sending you light and love.
Candice
Can you find aloe plants? Aloe juice?
Listerine antiseptic could be used as a hand sanitizer as well.
I have not used a plant for this recipe. But I don’t see why it wouldn’t work, Let me know if you try and how it goes.
Can you substitute aloe vera juice for the the aloe vera gel? I found some 99% aloe vera juice at my local store and am hoping that will work.
It might work, give it a try, it will be a little runnier. Let me know how it goes.
I found some coconut moisturizing cream and baby oil gel to mix with my 95% alcohol.
I have not tried this, but give it a go.
best,
Candice
I am wondering how did your mix come out by using the baby oil gel?
I missed keyed my email
Can the alcohol recipe be blended into a beeswax butter bar? I’m not sure if I can replace the amount of aloe with some type of a butter?
Hi Danielle, I have never tried to do this, I’d say probably not. Aloe and butter are very different consistencies, you will not have the same results.
thank you,
Candice
Vegetable glycerin works the same
Excellent!
GOOD DAY CANDICE,
I am also against the alcohol based sanitizers as alcohol whichever form it is (denatuared, methylated spirits or isopropanol) is not easy to find,let alone all e skin damage it would proce when used long term.
Your formulation seems ok in principle (I am a PhDChemist) but it would definitely need a solubilizer/surfactant of some sort, ideally not a synthetic one in der to keep the formulation 100% pure.
Fist of all, the witch hazel comes in 14-15% alcohol which serves the purpose. Then Aloe Vera comes as a solution/suspension in water. Oils in water would need a surfactant with a certain HLB to achieve an emulsion. Otherwise the oils will separate and just shaking them each time would not do much.
On the her hand, how would anybody know that all these sanitizers work? A proper lab trial for bacteria inhibition would be needed but nobody seems to be doing or displaying records of any tests whatsoever even though they claim their sanitizers kill 9999.% the germs.
I do not wish to seem criticial of you, your formulation is an excellent tool for DIY enthusiasts.
Thanks, Bogdan
Perth, Australia
Thank you for your comment Bogdan.
To be clear, there are two recipes in this post, the first recipe that calls for
⅔ cup rubbing alcohol (99% isopropyl alcohol)
⅓ cup aloe Vera gel
and is meant to help people who can’t find hand sanitizers right now and is based on the CDC recommendations.
The second recipe which calls for witch hazel etc. was posted on my website almost 3 years ago and makes zero claims regarding killing a virus-like COVID. It’s an effectivde non-toxic hand sanitizer that is great for normal circumstances.
The DIY recipes shared on this website haven’t been tested in a lab. Information about my products or recipes hasn’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a doctor or specialist for specific concerns about any skincare issues, cleaning products, or dietary needs. Please use your discretion, based on your own research, when making homemade products.
thank you,
Candice
Your answer is borderline dismissive and hollow, you talk a lot outside the real topic without saying anything. You claim and get hits with your website by claiming that there is a non-toxic hand sanitizer THAT ACTUALLY WORKS. When asked about how it works you revert to the alcohol based formula published by WHO. You take no responsibility for who owns the formulation (it was published 3 years ago on your site). You are very misleading with this and when I try to put you in your place, you become defensive. You as a journalist, qualified or not, should not put up formulations with ingredients you hardly know anything about and pretend that they work…or they are effective as you say. That is why these formulations should be left for the ones with a technical degree because the world dismisses scientists and gives credibility to the ones who talk non-sense. I do not understand also what you mean when you say I should use my discretion. Put a claim that these formulations of yours are developed and made by people with no technical background…and you should stop making comments about other ingredients, i can see you comment about FCO, denaturated alcohol and you would not even know how to write the chemical formula of ethanol. You are trying to make money by selling e-books and other products but in fact, people like you, should be formally banned from publishing formulations involving chemicals, proportions etc. Stick to journalism if you are a journalist or publish the fact that you have no technical background…no crash courses count in here. In such cases, one should know about chemicals in solutions, emulsions, suspensions or otherwise all these products you put up here are UNSTABLE, they will fall out, oil and water are two different phases.
I got really angry when I saw your dismissive comments, I do not mean to be rude!
Dear Bogdan,
I understand your perspective, and in no way do I look to challenge your position. You obviously have years of experience in the field and would be out of my depth to argue. As a journalist and a dedicated environmentalist, I passionately try to do my best to help all those I can. If you have suggestions for formulations, I would be happy to include and credit your suggestions. I can feel your passion in your writing and realize it must come from a place of love of the subject. I’m sorry if you felt slighted by my response. That was not my intention. I’m simply one person trying to help all those I can.
With Respect and Warmest Regards,
Candice
No, no, no need to apologize, I am sorry also if I seemed too passionate about the topic to the point I almost insulted you. We do have our own family brand of natural/organic personal care products here in Australia, the website is still under construction. It is still ahobby, I do need my daytime job…maybe some day.
In fact witch hazel is supplied in 15% alcohol by weight and with the right concentration of antimicrobial essential oils dispersed/emulsified properly in water, together with some other carrier oils, it should be pretty effective as a sanitizing emulsion/gel. As for testing its efficiency or MIC (Microbial Inhibitory Concentration), that is another story…and that is when your site popped up in a search about witch hazel hand sanitizers. I was keen to see the proof as it says IT REALLY WORKS in the title. Do not worry though, the proof it is not available even for the products of the big Companies claiming on the label that their products kill 99.999999% of the germs and bacteria.
Thanks again and sorry for my tone in my last email, if you email me your address, I will send you some samples…as the Australian Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Radiata I incorporate in my antimicrobial blend of essential oils are the best available.
Thanks, Bogdan Dana
I shall send you some samples when I get the chance, if I shall find your address.
Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you. I will email you my address.
all my best,
Candice
What about baby oil Gel? Can that be used in place of the aloe vera gel?
No, I don’t recommend that. It does not have the same properties as the Aloe.
Can I use Johnson’s aloe & vitamin e oil gel?
For which recipe?
Either
Hi Angela,
you can use the Johnson’s aloe for either recipe as longs as its pure aloe and does not contain anything else.
I do not recommend using oil in the first recipe.
thank you,
Candice
Can 100% glycerin bar soap be used instead of the Aloe? Not sure about melting and resolidify in the alcohol, or if it would just solidify in the alcohol.
Sorry, typo, meant to say melt in the alcohol.
Hi David,
Than you for your comment. I don’t recommend you do this. Adding a heated substance to alcohol which is flammable is not a good idea and if you let it cool, it will most likely solidify again before you can add it to the alcohol.
I recommend you stick with the original recipe.
thank you,
Candice