In most situations, washing hands with regular soap and water is the best way to keep ourselves, our homes and our loved ones healthy and free from harmful germs. However, sometimes certain situations necessitate a natural hand sanitizer.
- Some public restrooms are like scary movies. Helping a child use a public restroom is like a horror film.
- After pumping gas I typically want a quick way to clean my hands.
- A coughing, snotting or sneezing fellow human in our proximity. Ew.
- Sitting in a hospital or doctor office waiting room. Frightening.
Hand sanitizer absolutely has its place, but the chemicals in conventional sanitizers are scary.
Let’s make our own natural hand sanitizer instead! Problem solved.
Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe
(this recipe is antibacterial and antiviral)
1 ounce water
1 ounce vodka (preserves the water allowing for a longer shelf-life)
15 drops clove bud EO
20 drops sweet orange EO
20 drops lemon EO
Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a 4 ounces spray bottle. Label it with the date and ingredients.
Shelf Life: I have been using my spray for over a year now, and it’s still good. I’ll keep you posted if I find out a shelf life.
Directions: Spray directly on hands 1-2 times and rub into skin.
Where to Buy Natural Hand Sanitizer Supplies
Do not use a plastic spray bottle. I have found glass and metal spray bottles at Whole Foods and other health food stores. You can also find glass spray bottles on sites like Amazon.
I buy essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs, and they conveniently also sell spray bottles.
Essential Oils, Microbes and Super Bugs
All essential oils are antibacterial, meaning that they kill bacteria. Killing bacteria can be helpful for eliminating diseases and other sicknesses. However, too much of a good thing applies, even when dealing with essential oils. Make sure to only use your natural hand sanitizer when necessary.
“When natural antibiotics are reserved for actual emergencies, their effectiveness lasts much longer, as resistance is hindered.”
“Research has shown that when cultures limit the use of antibiotics, bacteria seem to forget how to resist them. It appears that many of the non-resistant strains naturally dominate, therefore without our encouraging their exchange of resistant traits, they eventually settle back into a natural ratio, and antibiotics once again become effective in the emergency cases that truly need them.”
Jessie Hawkins, Vintage Remedies
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