How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer And Cleaning Wipes

Fighting Germs

I don’t know about you, but I constantly feel like I’m trying to ward off germs. Whether it’s cold and flu season or you’re worried about the spread of coronavirus, it’s hard to know how best to stay healthy. And when it comes to products like hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, I want to use natural products that actually work.

Experts still assure us that hand washing is the best way to avoid disease. And there’s a correct way to wash them, too. (1)

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Aaron Glatt described the ideal hand washing method to mindbodygreen. He said that you should rub your hands together with soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds. Try singing the song “Happy Birthday” to make sure you’ve washed for long enough. (1)

And the soap doesn’t have to be antiseptic. “Any good old soap or water will work just fine,” Glatt told mindbodygreen. “What you shouldn’t use is antibacterial lotion.” (1)

Glatt explained that hand sanitizer is also an effective way to clean your hands. But you should be sure to rub the sanitizer into your hands for the same 20 to 30 seconds you would spend washing them. (1)

Natural Hand Sanitizer and Wipes

It’s more natural to wash your hands at the sink when you’re home. But it can be helpful to have a bottle of hand sanitizer or box of wipes in your purse, backpack, or diaper bag when you’re out and about. You never know when you’re going to accidentally touch something sticky. Or you might just want to eat some fries at the bowling alley without having to wash your hands in the bathroom between every turn.

The problem with traditional hand sanitizer is that it’s incredibly drying. “Alcohol, the active ingredient in most sanitizers, will dry out your hands and strip the skin of its natural barrier,” board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie told mindbodygreen. This could prematurely age the skin on your hands and cause other issues like cracking and cuticle damage. (2)

Making your own natural hand sanitizer and wipes ensures that you know every ingredient in the products. You can also customize the recipes based on your own needs and preferences. The following recipes will help you DIY both hand sanitizer and wipes.

DIY Hand Sanitizer Spray and DIY Disinfecting Wipes

These wipes use a lot of the same ingredients as the hand sanitizer. The lavender oil in this recipe is antiseptic while also soothing for the skin, making it ideal for wipes used on the skin. (8)

Materials

1 roll paper towels preferably made of sustainable, reusable bamboo.
2/3 cup 99.9% isopropyl alcohol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel preferably organic

2 drops anti-microbial essential oil optional (lavender highly suggested)

Instructions

Mix the alcohol, aloe vera gel, and optional essential oil together in a glass jar to make a gentle but highly effective disinfectant. Pour into a cleaned, recycled hand sanitizer bottle. To make wipes, continue with additional steps below.

Cut each paper towel in the entire roll into four squares.
Make two stacks of the cut paper towels in a large glass bowl and pour the alcohol mixture evenly over them. Let stand until the liquid is fully absorbed.
If you find you need more liquid depending on the thickness of the paper towels you are using, mix up more alcohol/aloe vera mixture at a ratio of 2:1

Place the wipes in a large ziplock bag for convenient use at home or when traveling.
If using bamboo paper towels in order to re-use, store used wipes in a separate double seal ziplock bag for easy laundering as needed.(9, 10)