chemical-free hand sanitizer DIY

i hate germs. in fact, i am somewhat of a germaphobe. i am constantly using hand sanitizer, especially during the winter months. the one thing that i hate the most about hand sanitizers found in stores today is that they are so drying. as if winter isn't drying enough. i can't stand it when my hands are dry, so i decided to make a hand sanitizer without alcohol which is the main ingredient that causes our hands to dry out.

i've been on a quest lately to eliminate chemicals from our home and this is just another way for me to keep us healthy and the best part is, it's 100% non-toxic. the recipe below fills two of the containers pictured above, so adjust as needed if you want to make more bottles. this alcohol-free version will not only clean your hands, but it will moisturize them too! now, don't get me wrong, there are a few natural hand sanitizers on the market, but i've found that making my own is far cheaper and i know exactly what is in it. here is how i do it: 

supplies you will need: 

• 5 tablespoons 100% aloe vera gel
• 1/4 teaspoon vitamin e oil
• 5 tablespoons water
• 10-12 drops on guard essential oil {you could use any essential oil that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal}
• small plastic squeeze container {i purchased mine here}

directions:

1. in a small bowl combine the aloe vera gel and vitamin e oil.

2. add 10-12 drops of on guard blend to the aloe vera gel mixture.

3. slowly add water and mix well to combine until you achieve your desired consistency. i used all 5 tablespoons and this was perfect for me.

4. pour into your container and toss into your purse. i also keep a bottle on my desk at work.

i gave a bottle of hand sanitizer to my mom last weekend and both her and my dad have texted me a few times raving about how much they like it. i would love to hear your thoughts on the hand sanitizer if you decide to make your own.

note: i've received some questions about storing the hand sanitizer in plastic containers. in this case, it is okay because the essential oils are highly diluted. if they were not as diluted, i would recommend storing in a glass container. if you do use plastic containers make sure that your essential oils are of high quality. contact me if you have questions!