How to Make a Natural, Effective Hand Sanitizer at Home: Step by Step Guide
Hand washing can save lives. Especially in the current Coronavirus spread crisis.
Keeping your hands clean, whether by soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is one of the top ways to stop the spread of germs. When your hands aren’t visibly dirty, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the preferred method of cleaning your hands because it’s the most effective at killing deadly germs.
If you’ve been having trouble finding it at your local store, we have a homemade hand sanitizer recipe made with ingredients you can easily find and is just as effective as brand name products.
Using hand sanitizer isn’t enough, the method you apply it is important too. Be sure to apply the gel for at least 20 seconds and all over your hands:
Source: World Health Organization
Is the US Facing a Hand Sanitizer Shortage?
The outbreak of COVID-19 and all of the information that’s out there has been causing anxiety among Americans. You may have gone to your local store and haven’t been able to find hand sanitizer. While the shortage, caused by people taking more than they need, is very real, it’s nothing to stress about. There are other solutions to branded hand sanitizers available.
Some states in the US have started to produce their own batches of sanitizers. The New York State Clean hand sanitizer is a prime example and is said to have a higher alcohol content (key to killing the bacteria and especially the virus we wish to protect ourselves from), than other brands like Purell.
A tip we can give you in these troubling times is not to go into a dizzy if you find sanitizers listed as “Out of Stock” on platforms like Amazon.
While there is some shortage that may have come about because of panic-buying, a lot of the purported paucity can be traced back to false advertising.
Amazon and eBay are cracking down on listings that have hiked prices, or are trying to spread an inaccurate message about the state of supply in the country.
Homemade Hand Sanitizer: Simple 5 Ingredient Recipe
One of those other solutions is to make your own hand sanitizer from products that are readily available to you. You may even have most of these in your house already.
Dr. Charlie Ware’s Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe:
65-70% rubbing alcohol - 16 ounces
Witch Hazel -16 ounces
Peroxide - 1/2 of a capful
Essential Oils: Frankincense, Eucalyptus, Orange, Tea tree, or Peppermint; 8 to 12 drops of each
Glycerin, coconut oil, or aloe gel - 1 teaspoon
While you could add any essential oil you have on hand, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Tea Tree oils all help fight bacteria and viruses.
Don’t Worry, You Will Get the Ingredients
Despite the inventory shortage in most grocery stores, these ingredients aren’t a part of those that are being ripped from the shelves. People aren’t really stockpiling fresh fruits, or herbs, or essential oils. Sad, but true. And maybe an advantage for those who actually understand how the human immune system works.
Spread the awareness around.
This sanitizer will be fairly easy to prepare in large batches. Once you are comfortable you have enough, give to those around you. Use leftover plastic containers to portion out the sanitizer. It’s time you put the plastic junk to some use before it goes to the dumpster to further pollute the environment.
Recommended Products for Immunity Health:
References:
- Hand Hygiene via CDC
- "Coronavirus Has Caused a Hand Sanitizer Shortage. What Should You Do?" via The New York Times
- "How to Use Essential Oils for the Flu" via Healthline
