How to Make Hand Sanitizer

Medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Last Updated: October 16, 2024 Approved

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Washing your hands with soap is better, but if you have no soap and water, hand sanitizer is the second best thing. Commercial hand sanitizer can get expensive, and with the shortage of hand sanitizer due to COVID-19, you may have to resort to making your own.^{[1]
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Research source} Making your own hand sanitizer is a simple process that results in a formula you can customize to suit your personal tastes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

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1
Gather your ingredients. This sanitizer closely emulates the commercial kind, without all the chemicals and without the bad smell. Hand sanitizer should not replace hand washing; just use it when you really need it. Here's what you'll need:
- 2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or 190-proof grain alcohol (Do not substitute other concentrations of alcohol.)
- 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel (preferably without additives)
- 8 to 10 drops essential oil, such as lavender, clove, cinnamon, or peppermint
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Funnel
- Plastic container
2
Mix the alcohol and aloe vera gel in the bowl. Pour the ingredients into the bowl and use the spoon to mix them together well. The mixture should be completely smooth.^{[2]
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Research source}
- If you want the solution to be thicker, add another spoonful of aloe vera.
- Or thin it out by adding another spoonful of alcohol.
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3
Add the essential oil. Add it one drop at a time, stirring as you go. After about 8 drops, smell the mixture to see whether you like the scent. If it seems strong enough, stop there. If you like a stronger scent, add a few more drops.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Use whatever scent you enjoy. Lavender, clove, cinnamon, peppermint, cinnamon, lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit all work well.
4
Funnel the mixture into the container. Place the funnel over the mouth of the container and pour the hand sanitizer in. Fill it up, then screw on the lid until you're ready to use it.^{[4]
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- A small squirt bottle works well if you want to carry the sanitizer with you throughout the day.
- If you make too much for the bottle, save the leftover sanitizer in a jar with a tightly-fitted lid.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Witch Hazel-Based Hand Cleaning Solution

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1
Gather your ingredients. Some people prefer not to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, since alcohol has a strong smell and can have a severe drying effect on skin. However, witch-hazel based solutions are not effective against viruses and bacteria.^{[5]
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Research source} If your goal is to protect yourself from the coronavirus then don't rely on this type of hand sanitizer. Here's what you'll need to make a witch hazel-based hand cleaning solution :
- 1 cup pure aloe vera gel (preferably without additives)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons witch hazel
- 30 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Funnel
- Plastic container
If the mixture seems too thin, add another spoonful of aloe vera to thicken it. If it's too thick, add another spoonful of witch hazel.
Since the smell of the tea tree oil is already strong, go easy on the added essential oils. Five or so drops should be enough, but if you want to add more, stir it in one drop at a time.^{[6]
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Research source}
4
Funnel the mixture into the container. Place the funnel over the mouth of the container and pour the hand cleaning solution in. Fill it up, then screw on the lid until you're ready to use it.^{[7]
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Research source}
- A small squirt bottle works well if you want to carry the solution with you throughout the day.
- If you make too much for the bottle, save the leftover solution in a jar with a tightly-fitted lid.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I use 70% isopropyl alcohol instead? If yes, how much should be used for method 1?

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH
Board Certified Primary Care Physician
Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Board Certified Primary Care Physician

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, no. For the sanitzer to be effective, it needs to be at least 60% alcohol. Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol will produce a sanitizer that has an alcohol content that's too low. You could use a 91% isopropyl alcohol, as a 2 parts alcohol-1 part aloe vera mixture will produce a sanitizer that's 60.6% alcohol.

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Question

Why is vodka, normally less than 50% alcohol a suitable substitute for 99% alcohol?

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH
Board Certified Primary Care Physician
Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Board Certified Primary Care Physician

Expert Answer

Most vodkas are not suitable for making hand sanitzer. You'd need a vodka that's at least 190 proof, which will be printed on the product label. For instance, Everclear has options that are 190 proof.

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Question

Can I use 91% alcohol instead of 99%? Will it still be effective?

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH
Board Certified Primary Care Physician
Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Board Certified Primary Care Physician

Expert Answer

Yes, you can use 91% alcohol if you're careful with your measurements. A hand sanitizer that's 2 parts 91% isopropyl alcohol and 1 part aloe vera will be 60.6% alcohol. The sanitzer needs to be 60% alcohol to be effective, so this is okay. However, if you accidentally get your measurements wrong, your sanitizer may be minimally effective.

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If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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