Do-It-Yourself Hand Sanitizer

Materials:
1 aloe vera plant (to make 4 oz/125 ml of gel)
7 oz (225 ml) of 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
1 oz (25 ml) filtered water
5 drops of tea tree essential oil
5 drops of lavender, lemon or scent of choice
blender
liquid measuring cups
storage container
gloves
cutting board
sharp knife (we used Santoku)
spoon

Directions:
Prepare the aloe vera gel by removing the leaves from the soil and cutting a thin strip along all sides of each leaf. You may cut the leaves into smaller, more manageable pieces before scrapping the gel out with a spoon. Carefully remove either the top or bottom of each leaf to reveal the gel. Using a spoon, scrap the gel off each leaf. Place the gel into a liquid measuring cup to measure 4 oz.

Dilute the 70% isopropyl alcohol to make 60% rubbing alcohol by combining 7 oz of 70% isopropyl alcohol with 1 oz of filtered water (60% or higher of rubbing alcohol works as a disinfectant). However, the higher the % rubbing alcohol, the more it burns the skin. Hand sanitizers generally dry out the skin, but are convenient when you do not have access to soap and water.

Transfer aloe vera gel, 60% rubbing alcohol, and essential oils to a blender and blend on low until evenly combined. (You may also mix by hand). Tea tree essential oil is antibacterial. Other essential oils may be used to cover up the smell of the alcohol.

Store in a container. Note: We used a 16 oz glass spray bottle; however, it does not spray very well. We suggest using a squeezable container.

Suggestions:
If you don’t use it on your hands, it works well on disinfecting countertops or your phone!

When the Honest Company discontinues your favorite kind of hand sanitizer and the stores are out of every other type….why not make your own.