Many people keep little bottles of store-bought hand sanitizer in their handbags, glove compartments, and back pockets. They are relied upon to disinfect hands after touching shopping carts, and in some instances, are used in place of hand washing after using the bathroom.
This practice, according to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, can actually be dangerous. This is because hand sanitizers do not kill all germs and are ineffective against harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals. It is, therefore, smartest to always wash hands with soap and water.
However, if you like to have a handy bottle of hand sanitizer for those moments when you or your kids are not able to reach a sink — such as on the subway on in the park — we recommend making your own pleasant smelling formula using one of the below recipes.
Nourishing Spicy Orange Sanitizer (Wellness Mama)
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 20 drops orange essential oil
- 5 drops clove essential oil
- 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
Simply mix all ingredients in a reusable silicone tube, and use when needed.
Bacteria-Fighting Musk (Wellness Mama)
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol
- 1o drops cinnamon essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree oil
Mix the aloe vera and rubbing alcohol in a small bowl. Add essential oils, mixing well. Add distilled water to obtain your desired consistency. Use a small funnel or medicine dropper to transfer to a spray or pump bottle.
Mind-Enhancing Sanitizer (Crunch Betty)
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol (at least 91 percent)
- 1/8 cup vegetable glycerin
- 10 drops cinnamon, rosemary, and lemon essential oils.
The essential oils in this recipe have properties that enhance the mind. Cinnamon improves concentration, rosemary effects memory and alertness, and lemon is an energizing scent that alleviates depression.