I’ve never been huge fan of hand sanitizer. When you kill bad bacteria, you kill good bacteria along with it.
It seems to me that when you kill all the bacteria around you, you never give your immune system a chance to build immunities.
At the risk of looking like a redneck, country bumpkin, this is why I let my kids run around barefoot and play in the dirt.
HOWEVER, I make a huge exception for specific instances. Like shopping cart handles. Who in the world knows what kind of germs are on those things?!
I guess you could say that I’m happy for my kids to be exposed to germs as long as they’re our germs.
I know that hand sanitizer gel is super popular, but the first time I used a spray, I was hooked.
With a witch hazel base for a spray, it’s perfect for those shopping cart handles, and it’s easier to make sure you’ve got your kid’s entire hand covered.
A little about the ingredients:
Witch hazel contains alcohol, which is a key ingredient in hand sanitizer, but since it doesn’t contain the 70% alcohol that is standard for complete sanitization, we add the essential oils to give it a boost.
You can use any combination of essential oils that you prefer. My husband loves the smell of Thieves, so that is often my go-to, but some of my personal favorites (though I love Thieves too) are Tea Tree, Lavender, Clove, peppermint, and Rosemary.
DIY Hand Santizer with Essential Oils
- 3 oz. witch hazel
- 2 Tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 45-50 drops essential oil
Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a bottle and shake until combined.
This mixture should keep for a few weeks at room temperature, or for quite a while longer in the refrigerator.
Skin Care Products You Can Make At Home To Save Money
Recipes everyone can make!
Nourish your body with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Brandy says
Just a quick question…what do you mean “should last for a few weeks?” What does it look like when/if it starts to go bad?