How to make homemade hand sanitizer according to the WHO recommendations. Includes natural emollients to protect skin.
So we’re like a month into this very special time in all of our lives. Things are kind of settling into a new normal (at least they are for us). I’m not (usually) staying up until 3 am anymore and I started cleaning my house again, so that’s good. But some things are still weird–and finding hand sanitizer is one of those weird things. Remember when we used to go buy it by giant jugs and tiny keychain-sized containers like it was, well, toilet paper or something? Yeah, those days are gone. So I’m going to show you how to make homemade hand sanitizer.
Okay, guys. Let’s get a few things clear before the comments/my email/social media DMs are assaulted with messages from Karens telling me I’m doing this all wrong. This is not a substitute for medical care or advice. This is as scientific and sterile as it’s going to get at home, outside a lab.
(Read more after the recipe)
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reviewsHow to make homemade hand sanitizer according to the WHO recommendations.
12 fluid ounces 91% rubbing alcohol*
2 teaspoons emollient (glycerin, fractionated coconut oil, or other skin-friendly nut or seed oil)
1 tablespoon 3% hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons distilled or boiled water
Optional: A few drops essential oils per bottle
In a very clean glass lidded jar, add alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and distilled water (see alternate measurements below.) Add the emollient and shake vigorously until combined. Pour into small spray bottles and label. If desired, add a few drops of essential oils per bottle. You may need to shake the mixture between fillings.
99% alcohol: 12 ounces alcohol + 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water
95% alcohol (Everclear): 12 ounces alcohol + 1/4 cup + 1 1/2 tablespoons water
91% alcohol: see recipe above
70% alcohol: 12 ounces alcohol + 1 1/2 tablespoons water
Anything less than 70%: Do not use
Basically, for every 8% alcohol below 99%, remove 1 tablespoon water. Thank you VERY MUCH to my very smart son Clark who helped me with the math.
When you’re buying or rounding up supplies, pay attention to percentages–they’re important here (speaking of supplies, between the talk of Glycerin and Everclear, I’m feeling a real strong nineties music vibe here. I bet back in the day when you were listening to “Glycerine” and Everclear, you never imagined the most exciting thing you’d be doing in 2020 was making homemade hand sanitizer.) 70% or greater alcohol, 3% hydrogen peroxide, distilled or purified water.
You’ll also need small spray bottles and labels of some kind (even if you just Sharpie it on there. But Safety 101–never leave a spray bottle unlabeled.)
I made these labels:
You can download the .jpg here or you can download a full-sheet PDF that will print on Avery Label 22808.
In a very clean glass lidded jar, add alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and distilled water. I’ve included alternate measurements for common alcohol percentages in the recipe above, but basically, for every 8% of alcohol less than 99%, remove 1 tablespoon water (my very smart son Clark, who, at 15, is way smarter than I am now, helped me figure this out). Add the emollient and shake vigorously until combined–it may appear cloudy. That’s okay.
Pour into small spray bottles and label.
If desired, add a few drops of essential oils per bottle. You may need to shake the mixture between fillings to make sure the emollient doesn’t all wind up in one bottle. Shake before using, then spritz on hands and rub together, or spray onto a tissue or paper towel and wipe hard surfaces (phones, car door handles, steering wheels, shopping carts, etc.)
If you’re looking for other at home health and beauty ideas, here are some of our favorites!
Homemade lip balm
Fizzy Peppermint Bath Salts
Orange Coconut Sugar Scrub
Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub