DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray (alcohol-based)

*I’m going to say right off the bat – this hand sanitizer spray is NOT a replacement for handwashing. PLEASE wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with warm water and soap to prevent the spread of illnesses!

And this is not guaranteed to prevent COVID-19 so please be aware of that.

DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray (alcohol-based)

This is a homemade hand sanitizer spray so it is not as effective as a professionally-made hand sanitizer. But with almost all stores running out of hand sanitizer, I thought it might be a good idea to see what I could come up with. I use this spray if I have to go to the store or to a public place and I won’t be able to wash my hands immediately after – this hand sanitizer spray holds me over until I can get home and scrub my hands.

*This hand sanitizer has never been lab-tested or proven to kill coronaviruses.

I’ve done a lot of research and while I realize making your own hand sanitizer may not be the best option, I do know that right now with COVID-19 being an issue, almost all stores are out of hand sanitizer or hand sanitizing spray. And I like to have something in my car or purse that I can use before I’m able to get home to properly wash my hands.

I wanted to use this as a hand sanitizer spray so I didn’t use aloe vera gel – instead, I used Vitamin E oil and witch hazel astringent (containing 14% alcohol) to make it moisturizing.

I used a basic kitchen scale to measure my ingredients so I could get a good, accurate measurement. And it made it a lot easier than having to use measuring cups and spoons!

Pour 75 mL of alcohol into a glass measuring cup (or some kind of container with a spout).

Add 5 mL witch hazel (bringing the weight up to 80 mL).

Add 5 mL vitamin E oil (bringing the weight up to 85 mL).

Add 8-10 drops of essential oil (I used eucalyptus).

Stir with a small whisk or spoon and pour into two 2-ounce bottles with atomizer caps.

Every time you use the hand sanitizer spray, be sure to shake it up so the oil is evenly distributed. And rub the hand sanitizer on your hands until the alcohol is completely evaporated. The nice thing about this recipe is the vitamin E oil actually moisturizes your hands when you use this! I was pleasantly surprised after using it multiple times that I wasn’t completely dried out!

DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray (alcohol-based)

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer spray with moisturizing witch hazel and vitamin E oil.

• Author: Emily Walker

Ingredients

75 mL isopropyl alcohol (minimum 60%)

5 mL witch hazel

5 mL vitamin E oil

8-10 drops essential oils

Instructions

Using a basic kitchen scale, combine all your ingredients.

Mix and pour into two 2-ounce spray bottles.

Use when needed on your hands to disinfect.

Notes

Shake well before each use.