Hand sanitizer has become an essential item for many during the pandemic, with health organizations recommending its use to help stop the spread of illness. While store-bought hand sanitizers are convenient, making your own DIY hand sanitizer at home can be easy, affordable, and customizable. We’ve researched and tested numerous homemade hand sanitizer recipes to provide you with 12 of the very best options to consider making yourself.
Why Make Your Own DIY Hand Sanitizer?
There are several great reasons to try your hand at making homemade hand sanitizer:
- Cost savings – Purchasing hand sanitizer from stores can get expensive, especially when you’re going through it quickly. Making your own allows you to control the ingredients and create large batches for a fraction of the cost.
- Customization – Store-bought hand sanitizers tend to have an unpleasant chemical smell. With DIY recipes you can add your own scented oils for a more pleasant aroma.
- Ingredient transparency – By making your own sanitizer you can ensure you know exactly what’s in it, using gentle ingredients your skin tolerates well.
- Accessibility – Hand sanitizer was difficult to find during the initial pandemic outbreak. Making your own allows you to always have some available.
While DIY hand sanitizers may not contain the same ingredients or get EPA approval, the CDC confirms they can be an effective option when soap and water isn’t available. We’ll provide tips for making sanitizer properly to help maximize effectiveness.
Hand Sanitizer DIY Ingredients Overview
The key to an effective homemade hand sanitizer is getting the ingredient ratios right. Here’s a quick overview:
- Alcohol – This provides the sanitizing effect. The CDC recommends a minimum 60% alcohol content for DIY sanitizer.
- Aloe vera gel – Acts as the base and helps keep your skin smooth and moisturized.
- Essential oils (optional) – Added for scent. Should not exceed 1% of total volume to avoid irritation.
- Vitamin E oil (optional) – An antioxidant that can help repair skin damage. Adds thickness to thin sanitizer.
- Glycerin (optional) – Another common moisturizing ingredient for skin health. Also adds thickness.
With those key ingredients in mind, let’s look at some of the very best DIY hand sanitizer recipes to consider making at home.
12 Best DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes
1. Basic DIY Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera Gel
This straightforward homemade hand sanitizer recipe just needs two ingredients – aloe vera gel and isopropyl alcohol.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup aloe vera gel
- 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
Instructions:
- Pour the alcohol and aloe vera gel into a mixing bowl.
- Use a spoon or whisk to blend the ingredients thoroughly.
- Transfer the sanitizer into clean containers or bottles for storage.
- Label your bottles.
The 2:1 ratio of aloe vera gel to alcohol recommended by the CDC provides an effective 75% alcohol content sanitizer. This simple recipe makes an affordable 8 ounce batch.
2. Moisturizing DIY Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E Oil
If you want a more moisturizing homemade hand sanitizer recipe, try this option containing vitamin E oil.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Instructions:
- Add the alcohol, aloe vera gel, and vitamin E oil to a bowl.
- Mix with a whisk or spoon until well blended.
- Funnel into sanitizer bottles or containers.
The vitamin E oil helps nourish skin while providing a thickness that makes this homemade sanitizer easier to apply. This recipe makes about 3 ounces of sanitizer.
3. Soothing Hand Sanitizer with Lavender Oil
If you want a calming scent in your DIY hand sanitizer, add some lavender essential oil.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 5-10 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine the alcohol, aloe vera, and lavender oil in a mixing bowl.
- Use a spoon or whisk to blend thoroughly.
- Pour into labeled bottles or containers.
The small amount of lavender oil provides a pleasant aroma without irritation. This recipe makes just over 5 ounces of hand sanitizer.
4. Moisturizing Gel Hand Sanitizer with Glycerin
For an extra moisturizing homemade hand sanitizer, use glycerin along with aloe vera gel.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon glycerin
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Stir thoroughly with a whisk to blend.
- Transfer to clean bottles for storage.
The glycerin helps prevent drying out your hands with repeated use. This recipe makes about 3 ounces of sanitizer.
5. Refreshing DIY Hand Sanitizer with Lemongrass Oil
For a bright, refreshing scent, add some lemongrass essential oil to your homemade sanitizer.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 5 drops lemongrass essential oil
Instructions:
- Pour the alcohol, aloe vera gel, and lemongrass oil into a bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly to fully blend ingredients.
- Transfer to labeled bottles.
The lemongrass oil provides an energizing citrus scent. Makes around 5 ounces of hand sanitizer.
6. Soothing Aloe and Oat Hand Sanitizer Spray
If you want a soothing homemade hand sanitizer, try this one containing oat extract along with aloe.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon oat extract
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Use a whisk to blend thoroughly.
- Pour into spray bottles for easy application.
The oat extract is gentle on skin. Its thickness helps create more of a sprayable gel. Makes about 5 ounces.
7. Moisturizing DIY Hand Sanitizer with Shea Butter
For an ultra-moisturizing homemade hand sanitizer, shea butter is an excellent ingredient to include.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
Instructions:
- Melt shea butter by placing in a small bowl in hot water.
- Add melted shea butter, alcohol, and aloe to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly until creamy and blended.
- Transfer to sanitizer bottles.
The shea butter nourishes hands while adding thickness. Makes around 3 ounces.
8. Foaming Hand Sanitizer with Castile Soap
For a foaming hand sanitizer version, try this recipe with castile soap.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon baby castile soap
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Use an immersion blender to blend into a foamy texture.
- Pour into foam hand pump bottles to use.
The castile soap creates a bubbly foam consistency that’s fun for kids. Makes around 3 ounces.
9. Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer with Jojoba and Grapeseed Oils
For extra skin nourishment, use a combo of jojoba and grapeseed oils.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 1/2 teaspoon grapeseed oil
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients into a mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly with a mixing spoon.
- Transfer into labeled bottles.
The jojoba and grapeseed oil moisturize hands without a greasy feel. This makes about 3 ounces of sanitizer.
10. Refreshing Minty Hand Sanitizer Spray
For a cool, tingly sensation, create a mint-scented sprayable hand sanitizer.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly to blend.
- Pour into spray bottles.
Spritz on for a refreshing minty scent and cooling effect. Makes around 5 ounces.
11. Calming Lavender Vanilla Hand Sanitizer
This recipe blends soothing lavender with warm vanilla for a comforting aroma.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops vanilla essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Stir thoroughly with a whisk.
- Transfer to clean bottles or containers.
The drop of vanilla adds a pleasing sweetness to balance the floral lavender scent. Makes about 3 ounces of sanitizer.
12. Uplifting Grapefruit and Lime Hand Sanitizer
For a bright, sunny citrus scent, use this grapefruit and lime recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cups 99% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 3 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 2 drops lime essential oil
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly to fully blend.
- Pour into sanitizer bottles.
The grapefruit and lime oils create an energizing citrus aroma. Makes around 5 ounces of sanitizer.
Tips for Making Effective DIY Hand Sanitizer
To help ensure your homemade hand sanitizer is as effective as possible, keep these tips in mind:
- Use 99% isopropyl alcohol rather than diluting with water, which can decrease effectiveness.
- Use aloe vera gel with a purity of at least 96% to avoid extra water content.
- Don’t exceed more than 1% essential oils by total volume to prevent skin irritation.
- Store in an airtight container and avoid extreme temperatures to prolong shelf life.
- Shake or stir before each use to maintain even consistency.
- Apply to dry hands for best absorption and rub thoroughly until completely dry.
FAQs About DIY Hand Sanitizer
Is making your own hand sanitizer safe?
Yes, making your own hand sanitizer is safe if you use the recommended ingredients like isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel from reputable suppliers. Be sure to properly label any containers. Keep hand sanitizer out of reach of young children.
What is the best alcohol to use?
The CDC recommends using 99% isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol. This provides optimal antibacterial activity compared to using vodka or diluted alcohol solutions.
Can I use vodka or rum to make hand sanitizer?
Vodka typically contains 40% alcohol, which is not high enough concentration for an effective hand sanitizer. Dark spirits like rum, whiskey, or tequila are not recommended either as they have added components that can be harsh on skin.
What ratio of aloe vera gel to alcohol should be used?
The CDC recommends an alcohol concentration between 60-95% for optimal effectiveness, with the remaining percentage from the aloe vera gel. A common ratio is 2/3 cup alcohol to 1/3 cup aloe vera gel.
How long does homemade hand sanitizer last?
The shelf life of homemade hand sanitizer depends on the storage method. In an airtight bottle stored away from direct sunlight and heat, it can last several months. If kept in the car or exposed to air, expect a shorter lifespan of several weeks.
Does homemade hand sanitizer expire?
Yes, homemade hand sanitizer has an expiration date. Over time, the alcohol can start evaporating, lowering the concentration and effectiveness. If you notice any changes in texture, smell or performance, it should be discarded. Make smaller batches as needed.
Is glycerin necessary in hand sanitizer?
Glycerin is not a required ingredient, but it can be helpful for adding moisture and thickness when making homemade sanitizer. Aloe vera gel on its own can sometimes lead to a thin, drippy texture that glycerin can improve.
Can I make foaming hand sanitizer at home?
Yes, you can make foaming hand sanitizer by adding a small amount of liquid castile soap to the aloe vera-alcohol mixture, then blending with an immersion blender. The soap allows bubbles to form.
What can I use if I don’t have aloe vera gel?
If you don’t have aloe vera gel, you can substitute with a different plant-based gel like cornstarch, vitamin E oil, shea butter or jojoba oil. This provides thickness and skin moisturizing properties.
The Takeaway
Making your own hand sanitizer at home can be easy, affordable, and customizable for your specific needs. We recommend trying one of these 12 best DIY hand sanitizer recipes using aloe vera gel and isopropyl alcohol as a basic, effective option. Feel free to experiment by adding essential oils for scent or extra ingredients like glycerin or vitamin E oil to care for your skin. Follow the CDC guidelines for proper ratios and blending, store properly, and use good hand hygiene habits for optimal results. With some simple ingredients and combinations, you can make quality hand sanitizers in your own home.