A simple guide on How to Make Homemade Hand Sanitizer. In this day and age, it helps to always have it on hand. Making it homemade saves you time, money and a trip to the store!
My kids have an obsession with hand sanitizer and I haven’t a clue why. I’m not complaining, I like that they care and want to be clean.
Every year, we drop a bottle or two in their stockings for them to keep in their purse and on their dresser.
We have a couple of bottles in our car too, and we go through it so fast it would make your head spin.
It’s pretty expensive too, when you have to replace it as often as we do, so about a year ago, we found out how to make it ourselves and even the older kids can make it too.
It’s very easy to learn how to make homemade hand sanitizer and you will be so happy with the results.
How to make homemade hand sanitizer
You need:
I try to purchase these things on sale or the non name brand version to get the best deal for my money.
Look around and find the best deal, and then remember where you got it so you can run out and get more.
In the summertime, collect all the coupons you can for the aloe gel, because rarely does it go on sale, however if you look for a non-name brand alternative, you’ll do better.
It’s still worth it, even if you have to pay full retail value for both though, as you are stretching the product.
Bottles and/or Containers
You just need to be sure you have a container or bottle to get your combination into it, when it’s made.
We love these, they come in different sizes, colors and are perfect to throw into a pocket or purse.
100% Aloe Vera Gel
I use this brand to make mine. We love it and it goes a long way.
It is also important to make sure that the aloe gel is 100% aloe, because if you use something else, sometimes its sticky and nobody wants sticky hands when you are trying to disinfect them.
Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl)
Also, when you buy your rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) be sure to look for one that says it is at least 95% or higher. We use this one, it’s 99% and I love it.
Using one that is more than 95$ is important, because it ensures that it will kill the most bacteria.
How do you make homemade hand sanitizer?
Basically, you are looking at 1 part aloe, with 2 parts alcohol. It depends on the amount your bottle will hold.
I usually use ½ cup of aloe gel, and then 1 c. alcohol. Stir together and pour into your container(s).
I tend to make a lot of it at once, so I always have it on hand. I just double or triple this and I use these bottles to store the extra and refill bottles.
They are perfect because they hold a lot, you get three and they come with two different styles of lids which I love.
They make the PERFECT refill bottle! So easy!
Once you have put both your aloe and your alcohol into the bottle or container you plan to use (feel free to reuse your empty purell bottle or other pump or squeeze bottle – it’s the Green thing to do, and its frugal!), you will need to shake it up real well.
Don’t skip this part and if you ever let a little bit of time go between when you use it, just shake it up again.
If you feel like it, and you are giving it as a gift you can create a cute label to put on the outside.
You can purchase labels but I usually just use Modge Podge and cardstock. I decorate the cardstock (I’m a scrapbooker after all) then just modge podge it in place. The kids love these and we are always refilling new ones.
These are perfect for the cold and flu season. Let me know if you make them and how they turn out.
Were you looking to learn how to make homemade hand sanitizer? What else do you make at home?