DIY Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera

With school in full swing, who knows what kinds of germs and bugs are traveling home with your little ones. To keep your family protected without the use of harmful chemicals and fragrances, try making your own hand sanitizer this fall!

We use Aloe Vera in our DIY hand sanitizers because it is soothing to the skin and helps bind ingredients together to maintain freshness and ease of use. Take a look at our most favorite (and easy) DIY hand sanitizer recipes below and drop them in your kids' backpacks on their way out the door. These also make great classroom gifts for teachers! 

Thieves Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients

• 25 drops of Thieves or a germ-fighting essential oil
• ¼ cup of Isopropyl Alcohol, at least 60% (rubbing alcohol)
• 3 Tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel

Supplies

• Glass storage bottle of preferred size (the smaller the bottle, the less drops of oil you'll need!)

Directions

• Simply add the three ingredients to the non-plastic spray bottle and shake well
• For more thickness, add more aloe gel and shake again
• Use as needed, store in a cool dark place

 Tea Tree Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients

• 1/3 C Aloe Vera Gel
• 2/3 C Isopropyl Alcohol, at least 60% (we use 91%)
• 25 drops of Tea Tree essential oil (Lemon or Orange work well in this recipe as well - pick your favorite essential oil and give it a go! We like Thieves because studies show it has natural antimicrobial and antiviral effects)
• Optional: Vitamin E oil (helps to hydrate, calm and nourish skin, especially sensitive or dry skin

Supplies

• Mixing bowl and spoon, plus a small container, such as a 3 oz. travel bottle
• Glass storage bottle of preferred size (the smaller the bottle, the less drops of oil you'll need!)

Directions

• In a mixing bowl, stir together your main hand sanitizer ingredients (isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel) until combined (a blender will likely give you the best results since it can be hard to mix alcohol and aloe by hand)
• Add the tea tree essential oil and vitamin E oil and stir or blend 
• Pour the DIY hand sanitizer into an empty glass or non-plastic container (a bottle with a dispenser or flip top may be best for easily getting the mixture out)
• Use as needed, recipe will stay good for several months or longer