One recipe:
First I gathered up all my ingredients: Bragg’s Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, Aloe Vera Gel, Witch Hazel, Rosemary oil, Lemon oil, sweet orange oil, Lavender oil, tee tree oil and grapefruit seed extract (citracidal), a bowl for mixing and easy pouring, and some little squeeze bottles.
These are approximate measurements.
4oz aloe vera gel
less than 1/4 c witch hazel (I filled the 1/4 c about 2/3 full with witch hazel and filled the rest with the cider vinegar)
1 to 2 T Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
at least 40 drops of grapefruit seed extract
20 drops tee tree oil
and 20 to 30 drops of the remaining essential oils. I added more of the orange for scent. I mixed it all up well and poured it into the little bottles. An easy way and natural way to fight those germs!
**Lavender oil is an antiseptic, disinfectant, bactericide
**Lemon oil is an antiseptic, disenfectant, insectiside and fungicide
Added by Deanna here....the grape seed extract is a powerful germ killer in its own rights according to what I've read up so far.
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is truly a broad-spectrum natural antibiotic, capable of killing a wide variety of pathogens. Highly active against protozoa, bacteria, yeast and some viruses, it has been used for quite some time in the treatment of parasitic infections. It is nontoxic, generally hypoallergenic and can be administered for up to several months, which may be required to eliminate stubborn infections. source:
Another recipe:
I love the portability of hand sanitizer. I don't love the price it can cost! Courtesy of Focus on the Family magazine, I now have this recipe to make my own:
1 c. aloe vera gel
1 t. rubbing alcohol
2 t. glycerin
8 drops of tea tree oil or a favorite scent
I am putting mine in small squeeze bottles. I may try making a big batch and putting it in an old ketchup bottle so I always have some on hand.
****Please note that this recipe contains Tea Tree oil as well as Alcohol, both of which kill "bugs". When making your own, feel free to adjust the amounts of germ killers!****
And a note from another blog:
A few months ago, I came across a recipe for homemade hand sanitizer on a blog. I'm not sure how I originally found the recipe, but I bookmarked it for the day when Joshua's little bottle was empty.
Last week, I purchased some aloe gel to make the sanitizer. I tried to get a more natural kind (though I know it still had some weird ingredients in it...) and it cost more than I had planned to invest... but, oh well. ($3.97 for 24 ounces)
Before I made my sanitizer, I decided to google for more information. After all, it never hurts to have several recipes to compare, and find the best way to do something before you even start, right? :)
After reading this informative article from The NY Times, along with a few other random links, I realized that the homemade hand sanitizer, which has 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol per CUP of aloe gel, wasn't going to come close to 60% alcohol content(which is the minimum amount needed), and wasn't going to sanitize.
I returned my unopened, unused aloe gel, and instead bought an even bigger bottle of Germ-X hand sanitizer for $4.97.
This amount will probably last us years, which is great, since I'm sticking to good old soap and water in our home! :)
It's nice to feel frugal, and it's fun to make homemade. It's great to save money, but it's best to do some research first!
There you have it. Some recipes and a link that disputes most recipes. Do your homework, study what you are wanting to do and make your decisions ;o)
11 comments:
This article is dangerously inaccurate. In order for the hand sanitizer to be effective it must contain a minimum of 60% alcohol. 1 tablespoon of alcohol per cup of aloe WILL NOT do the job. Please check your facts before publishing this type of information.
Thank you.
Actually, the article is very accurate. Rubbing alcohol is not the only substance that can sanitize. In this case, the tea trea oil also kills germs and is very strong! Know what you're talking about....
Acutally article is very accurate. Rubbing alcohol is not the only substance that can sanitize. The tea tree oil listed is a great germ killer (among other things) and is very strong. Know what you're saying....
Thanks Katie! You don't have to use toxic substances to do the job right. Normal everyday lives are already inundated with toxic stuff, why add more?
Hi!
I noticed that in your post, you quoted 7 paragraphs from my website (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/1811) and was wondering if you would mind linking back to my page (at the very LEAST, since you copied my post verbatim without asking!). :)
Thanks. :)
Tammy Luna
http://www.tammysrecipes.com
I apologize for the individual recipes here not crediting properly with links to their sources. As I am not currently accessing my blog via computer, I will note this and try to rectify it as soon as access is available again.
I have long been a follower of Tammy's Recipes and have gleaned more terrific recipes and tips from her site than many I have visited. It was never my intent to 'steal' any sharings to pass along without credit. I highly recommend visiting Tammy's site and checking out the great information shared there.
My apologies for seeming to plagerize and hide proper credit.
Blessings,
Deanna
Thank you, Deanna. :)
By the way, I am adding a link to your recipe here in my original post. :) I think it's a worthy recipe (better than others I have seen!). :)
Another website that appears to have copied/pasted the hand sanitizer recipe as their own is here:
http://pepperpaints.com/2009/03/23/natural-hand-sanitizer/
f.y.i.
Hand sanitizers do you no favours. A lack of exposure to germs doesnt allow your immune system to grow strong (like a muscle when you on't exercise) and you are more likely to be impacted by viruses - which are often airborne.
Soap and water should be sufficient in most cases and your handmade hand sanitiser recipe looks great for certain instances - say when you've just finished cleaning out the rubbish bins and they are really disgusting.
Keep it natural an toxic free. You will make your immune system stronger an will enjoy better health.
I agree with Kris. Maintaining a healthy immune system is very important. The germs that cause disease are part of our every-day existence. Bacteria and, to a lesser extent, viruses affect us when our immune system is low and vulnerable. The secret is to eat well, get plenty of rest and avoid stress to maintain health. Commercial sanitizers expose you to toxic chemicals. Although these recipes are better than commercial products, they are still unnecessary.
Wow! Seems many have lost site of WHY & for WHO this post is intended for! For one; MANY of us actually have the NEED for a hand-sani like this...maybe not some who've posted, but I know, as a nurse, I DO NEED IT! ...& yes, although we cannot live in a bubble and our immune systems should NOT be over protected, BUT some of these natural ingredients have been used for YEARS with no side effects! Yes, duh...wash your hands but...do YOU know what's in that soap you're using?
My point: GOOD POST! Thank you!
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