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HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HAND SANITIZER

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., R.N., CRNA — Written by Sara
Lindberg — Updated on July 6, 2020
 * Ingredients
 * How to make
 * Safety
 * How to use
 * Effectiveness
 * Washing vs. sanitizer
 * Bottom line

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> FDA Notice
> 
> The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announcedTrusted Source recalls of
> several hand sanitizers due to the potential presence of methanol.
> 
> MethanolTrusted Source is a toxic alcohol that can have adverse effects, such
> as nausea, vomiting, or headache, when a significant amount is used on the
> skin. More serious effects, such as blindness, seizures, or damage to the
> nervous system, can occur if methanol is ingested. Drinking hand sanitizer
> containing methanol, either accidentally or purposely, can be fatal. See here
> for more information on how to spot safe hand sanitizers.
> 
> If you purchased any hand sanitizer containing methanol, you should stop using
> it immediately. Return it to the store where you purchased it, if possible. If
> you experienced any adverse effects from using it, you should call your
> healthcare provider. If your symptoms are life threatening, call emergency
> medical services immediately.

When it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19,
nothing beats good old-fashioned handwashing.

But if water and soap aren’t available, your next best option, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, is to use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Unless you have a stockpile of store-bought hand sanitizer, you’ll likely have a
hard time finding any at a store or online right now. Due to the rapid spread of
the new coronavirus, most retailers can’t keep up with the demand for hand
sanitizer.

The good news? All it takes is three ingredients to make your own hand sanitizer
at home. Read on to find out how.


A WORD OF WARNING

Hand sanitizer recipes, including the one below, are intended for use by
professionals with the necessary expertise and resources for safe creation and
proper utilization.

Only use homemade hand sanitizers in extreme situations when handwashing isn’t
available for the foreseeable future.

Don’t use homemade hand sanitizers on children’s skin as they may be more prone
to use them improperly, leading to a greater risk of injury.




WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU NEED?

Making your own hand sanitizer is easy to do and only requires a few
ingredients:

 * isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (99 percent alcohol volume)
 * aloe vera gel
 * an essential oil, such as tea tree oil or lavender oil, or you can use lemon
   juice instead

The key to making an effective, germ-busting hand sanitizer is to stick to a 2:1
proportion of alcohol to aloe vera. This keeps the alcohol content around 60
percent. This is the minimum amount needed to kill most germs, according to the
CDCTrusted Source.


HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR OWN HAND SANITIZER?

Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, associate professor of health science at Ball State
University, shared this hand sanitizing formula.

His hand sanitizer formula combines:

 * 2 parts isopropyl alcohol or ethanol (91–99 percent alcohol)
 * 1 part aloe vera gel
 * a few drops of clove, eucalyptus, peppermint, or other essential oil

If you’re making hand sanitizer at home, Khubchandani says to adhere to these
tips:

 * Make the hand sanitizer in a clean space. Wipe down countertops with a
   diluted bleach solution beforehand.
 * Wash your hands thoroughly before making the hand sanitizer.
 * To mix, use a clean spoon and whisk. Wash these items thoroughly before using
   them.
 * Make sure the alcohol used for the hand sanitizer is not diluted.
 * Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they’re well blended.
 * Don’t touch the mixture with your hands until it’s ready for use.

For a larger batch of hand sanitizer, the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted
Source has a formula for a hand sanitizer that uses:

 * isopropyl alcohol or ethanol
 * hydrogen peroxide
 * glycerol
 * sterile distilled or boiled cold water



IS IT SAFE?

DIY hand sanitizer recipes are all over the internet these days — but are they
safe?

These recipes, including the ones above, are intended for use by professionals
with both the expertise and resources to safely make homemade hand sanitizers.

Homemade hand sanitizer is only recommended in extreme situations when you’re
unable to wash your hands for the foreseeable future.

Improper ingredients or proportions can lead to:

 * lack of efficacy, meaning that the sanitizer may not effectively eliminate
   risk of exposure to some or all microbes
 * skin irritation, injury, or burns
 * exposure to hazardous chemicals via inhalation

Homemade hand sanitizer is also not recommended for children. Children may be
more prone to improper hand sanitizer usage, which could lead to greater risk of
injury.




HOW TO USE HAND SANITIZER

Two things to be aware of when using hand sanitizer:

 * You need to rub it into your skin until your hands are dry.
 * If your hands are greasy or dirty, you should wash them first with soap and
   water.

With that in mind, here are some tips for using hand sanitizer effectively.

 1. Spray or apply the sanitizer to the palm of one hand.
 2. Thoroughly rub your hands together. Make sure you cover the entire surface
    of your hands and all your fingers.
 3. Continue rubbing for 30 to 60 seconds or until your hands are dry. It can
    take at least 60 seconds, and sometimes longer, for hand sanitizer to kill
    most germs.

WHAT GERMS CAN HAND SANITIZER KILL?

According to the CDCTrusted Source, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that meets
the alcohol volume requirement can quickly reduce the number of microbes on your
hands.

It can also help destroy a wide range of disease-causing agents or pathogens on
your hands, including the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

However, even the best alcohol-based hand sanitizers have limitations and don’t
eliminate all types of germs.

According to the CDC, hand sanitizers won’t get rid of potentially harmful
chemicals. It’s also not effective at killing the following germs:

 * norovirus
 * Cryptosporidium, which causes cryptosporidiosis
 * Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff

Also, a hand sanitizer may not work well if your hands are visibly dirty or
greasy. This may happen after working with food, doing yard work, gardening, or
playing a sport.

If your hands look dirty or slimy, opt for handwashing instead of a hand
sanitizer.


HANDWASHING VS. HAND SANITIZER

Knowing when it’s best to wash your hands, and when hand sanitizers can be
helpful, is key to protecting yourself from the new coronavirus as well as other
illnesses, like the common cold and seasonal flu.

While both serve a purpose, washing your hands with soap and water should always
be a priority, according to the CDC. Only use hand sanitizer if soap and water
isn’t available in a given situation.

It’s also important to always wash your hands:

 * after going to the bathroom
 * after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
 * before eating
 * after touching surfaces that could be contaminated

The CDC lists specific instructionsTrusted Source on the most effective way to
wash your hands. They recommend the following steps:

 1. Always use clean, running water. (It can be warm or cold.)
 2. Wet your hands first, then turn the water off, and lather your hands with
    soap.
 3. Rub your hands together with the soap for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to
    scrub the back of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
 4. Turn the water on and rinse your hands. Use a clean towel or air dry.


THE BOTTOM LINE

Hand sanitizer is a handy on-the-go way to help prevent the spread of germs when
soap and water isn’t available. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help keep you
safe and reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.

If you’re having a hard time finding hand sanitizer at your local stores and
handwashing isn’t available, you can take steps to make your own. You only need
a few ingredients, such as rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, and an essential oil
or lemon juice.

Although hand sanitizers can be an effective way of getting rid of germs, health
authorities still recommend handwashing whenever possible to keep your hands
free of disease-causing viruses and other germs.

Read this article in Spanish.



Last medically reviewed on April 30, 2020

6 sourcescollapsed

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies,
academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using
tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is
accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
 * Guide to local production: WHO-recommended handrub formulations. (2010).
   who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
 * Handwashing and hand sanitizer use at home, at play, and out and about.
   (n.d).
   cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf
 * Khubchandani J. (2020). Personal interview.
   
 * Q&A on coronaviruses. (COVID-19). (2020).
   who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
 * Show me the science – when & how to use hand sanitizer in community settings.
   (2020).
   cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html
 * When and how to wash your hands. (2020).
   cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

FEEDBACK:
Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., R.N., CRNA — Written by Sara
Lindberg — Updated on July 6, 2020


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