Homemade hand sanitizer is easy to make, effective, and actually leaves your hands feeling good! Made with only 3 simple ingredients, this DIY makes it easy to avoid the harsh chemicals and fragrances in conventional disinfectants.
Quick Look at the DIY
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 👥 Yield: 2 ounces
- 🧴 Main Ingredients: Rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, lavender essential oil
- ✨ Tip: Witch hazel not only helps clean skin, but it’s also soothing, helping to balance the drying effects of rubbing alcohol.
The Only Hand Sanitizer I’ll Actually Use
I’ve always hated the way conventional hand sanitizer makes my hands dry and itchy. And once I learned about the chemicals in most bottles, I avoided it completely, trusting my immune system to handle everyday germs.
Then I had my first baby, and everything changed. Suddenly, I needed a hand sanitizer I could actually feel good about using. I didn’t want to expose a newborn to all the germs my body was used to handling.
Since I already make my own face wash, baby balm, and tallow moisturizer, creating a homemade hand sanitizer just made sense. Now, I keep a few bottles everywhere, including my purse, the diaper bag, and even one for my husband to take to work!
What Makes this Hand Sanitizer Special?
- Effective sanitizer made with rubbing alcohol which kills a wide variety of germs and is often used in healthcare settings for this purpose.
- Gentle on skin, killing germs without leaving your hands feeling so dry.
- Healthy disinfectant made without synthetic chemicals like artificial fragrances, colorants, and parabens.
Ingredients
Tools You May Need
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: First, pour the rubbing alcohol and witch hazel into the spray bottle. Then add the lavender oil.
Step 2: Finally, screw on the lid and shake to combine.
Expert tip: To avoid spilling, use a small funnel when pouring the ingredients into the spray bottle.
If you’re looking for more DIY cleaning products, check out my homemade laundry detergent and DIY dishwasher powder!
How to Use Hand Sanitizer Spray
To use, shake the bottle and spray on your hands. Then rub your hands together to evenly disperse.
It’s perfect for using before eating or feeding kids, when in public places, or after changing a diaper.
Since it’s a liquid spray formula, you can also use it on hard surfaces such as shopping carts, door handles, restaurant high chairs, or changing tables.
How to Store
Since this sanitizer uses essential oils, it’s important to store in an essential oil safe spray bottle. You can use a metal, amber-colored glass, or HDPE bottle.
Store out of direct sunlight for up to one year.
You can make a few bottles to keep in your home, diaper bag, car, and purse! My husband even keeps a bottle in his cargo pants so he always has it at work.
Gel versus Spray Hand Sanitizer
While most hand sanitizers on the market today are in gel form, liquid spray versions are often easier to use.
Spray hand sanitizer won’t ever get sticky or gummy, and they dry extremely fast. They’re also more versatile since you can spray it on a variety of hard surfaces such as shopping cart handles or changing tables.
Violet’s Best Tip
Have fun scenting it with different skin-safe essential oils or essential oil blends. They all have unique properties and great smells!
FAQs
Yes, kids can use homemade hand sanitizer with adult help or close supervision. Make sure to use only a small amount on children and store it out of reach.
Yes, as long as hand sanitizer contains 60% alcohol, it is an effective disinfectant.
No, alcohol is what kills germs, so it is an essential ingredient in hand sanitizer.
If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome
Hand Sanitizer Spray (Non-Drying to Skin)
Equipment
- 2 ounce spray bottle
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons rubbing alcohol 91% or higher
- 2 1/2 teaspoons witch hazel
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Pour the rubbing alcohol and witch hazel into the bottle.3 tablespoons rubbing alcohol, 2 1/2 teaspoons witch hazel
- Add the lavender essential oil.15 drops lavender essential oil
- Screw on the lid and shake to combine.
- Shake the bottle each time before using on hands or hard surfaces.
Notes
- You can substitute other skin safe essential oils for lavender essential oil.
- Use an amber colored glass, metal, or HDPE spray bottle.
If you made this hand sanitizer, I’d love to hear how you like it! Please make sure to come back and leave a comment and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.
