DIY hand sanitizer

By Submitted Article on March 19, 2020.

Brey-Anna Dawson, et al

What I have learned throughout this whole coronavirus ordeal is that I touch my face at least 1,000 times a day:

I do my makeup; I touch my face. I’m stressed; I touch my face. I’m doing nothing; still touching my face. For some reason, I can’t regulate this horrible habit.

I know, I am a disgusting person.

It’s easier to add a habit then to take away a habit, so I’d rather use hand sanitizer obsessively than avoid touching my face (please still try, I am just weak).

However, if you have checked planet earth lately, you would know that hand sanitizer is sold out everywhere. If you’re not a doomsday prepper (like myself) and missed the antibacterial rush, this is the article for you. Here are some easy hand sanitizer recipes for all your procrastinators out there:

Hand Sanitizer Spray

Spray bottle

1/2 cup aloe vera juice

1/4 cup of Everclear, or rubbing alcohol

10-20 drops of anti-bacterial essential oils

Hand Sanitizer Gel

Squeeze bottle

1/2 cup of aloe vera gel

1/4 cup of Everclear, or rubbing alcohol

10-20 drops of anti-bacterial essential oils

Put all your ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly with a spoon. Using a funnel, pour the liquid into your desired container and tah dah! Go brag about it to your mom.

Some anti-bacterial essential oils you can use are tea tree, clove, thyme, cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass, or peppermint.

Feel free to mix and match oils; however, if you are a delicate little flower, like myself, who has sensitive skin, stay away from citrus oils because they can be phototoxic, which burn or irritate your skin while in the sun. Other oils such as lavender and chamomile can help soothe the skin, plus they make you smell nice.

The recipe calls for 99 per cent alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or ethanol (grain alcohol, most commonly available at 90-95 per cent. Please don’t use any other types of alcohol as they are toxic. Anything lower than the 90 per cent range will not be as effective.

I know it is nice having hand sanitizer for when you’re on the go, but please, wash your hands! Soap and water are still the most effective way of cleaning your hands.

Not only should you be washing your hands regularly because your nasty if you don’t, but it can also help stop the spread of germs. Young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of getting sick, so please take care of each other, homemade sanitizer-in-hand.

Austin Mardon CM

Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Member of the Order of Canada

Co-Author of Urban Homesteading: Non-Consumer Culture in a Consumerist World

Brey-Anna Dawson

Alberta-born-and-raised author and editor

MacEwan University BA Undergraduate in Psychology with Sociology Minor

Catherine Mardon

Recipient of Papal Award

A part of the Order of St. Sylvester

Author

Riley Witiw

Author and editor

MacEwan University undergraduate in Communication Studies

University of Alberta MBA candidate

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