Hand sanitizer is out of stock everywhere. I’ve called every distributor and company I know of to get some, but have been largely unsuccessful. We did find a new hand sanitizer brand that is being made that is getting ready to be shipped to our store hopefully in the next week or so. Until then, I wanted to post a recipe that is simple to make and gentle on skin while still being strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses.
For a hand sanitizer to be effective, it needs to contain 60% alcohol. To do this, you need to have a 99% isopropyl alcohol as the main ingredient. 70% isopropyl alcohol is more common, but since it only has a 70% alcohol content to begin with, it doesn’t take much for a recipe made with 70% isopropyl alcohol to fall below the standards for true effectiveness. 91% isopropyl alcohol is also sometimes available at pharmacies, you will just need to slightly decrease the other ingredients in the recipe below to maintain the 60% alcohol content.
INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
40 drops essential oils*
*We recommend a combination of lavender and tea tree oil for further antimicrobial action
Basically this recipe is two parts 99% isopropyl alcohol to one part aloe vera gel, with additional essential oils if desired. This recipe does not make a “gel”- hand sanitizer gels must use some sort of thickeners that are not in this recipe. The above recipe makes a sanitizer liquid that’s perfect for spray bottles. I made a batch with NOW’s lavender and tea tree oil combination and I really like it. It leaves hands refreshed and not at all sticky or goopy.
A note about Aloe Gel:
If you can’t find aloe gel, this recipe can be made with aloe vera juice. Since it makes a hand sanitizer liquid for a spray bottle, it can be used with aloe juice instead, and actually I think it’s preferable to using aloe gel since it mixes easier with the isopropyl alcohol. We have pure aloe vera juice available at our store in Palos Heights.
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients in a container and mix until thoroughly combined (I used a 2 cup Pyrex measuring glass).
Use with a spray bottle.
The above recipe uses a 1% essential oil dilution which aromatherapists recommend as safe for young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Feel free to make the recipe without essential oils for an unscented hand sanitizer if desired (thought the above amounts are not at all strongly scented).
We have searched the earth and should be getting some aloe vera gel into the store soon. We also have a lead on some 99% isopropyl alcohol and are working on hopefully having some available for our customers. We will keep you posted. Additionally, we have found a premade hand sanitizer spray that is being made right now and it supposed to be shipping our next week. We will update when that’s in stock.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. We are here to help. Stop by our store at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights if you need anything. We are committed to sanitizing the store throughout the day and have a large bottle of hand sanitizer for our customers to use right by the entrance to the store. Be well.
Other articles on our website which may be helpful:
Worries as Coronavirus Expands: Simple ways to keep yourself safe and healthy