I am not a germaphobe. Not by a long shot. But I have been known to never leave home without some antibacterial hand gel. Because you never know where the day will take you: doctor’s offices, public washrooms, dirty cabs, the subway, sticky tables, snotty noses… you know the drill.
But there are increasing concerns about the health dangers of commercial hand sanitizers. These antibacterial hand gels in fact do more harm then good, packed as they are with chemicals and artificial fragrance. It’s a long list: they lead to the growth of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, they can cause bacterial resistance and weaken your immune system, and they can disrupt your hormones.
In fact, so great is the evidence, that several hand sanitizers have actually been banned in certain parts of the world, the US included.
But what if you could have the sanitization benefits of antibacterial hand gels, sans the toxicity? What if you knew exactly what’s going into your hand sanitizers and could pack it with as much goodness as you want? What if you could make it work triple duty as a sanitizer, moisturiser and aromatherapy all rolled into one?
Enter the DIY antibacterial hand gel that you can make at home. Simply, cheaply and safely. Game?
You will need
1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel
1/2 cup 99% rubbing alcohol
6-8 drops tea tree essential oil
6-8 drops lemon essential oil or sweet orange essential oil
6-8 drops lavender essential oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil or vegetable glycerine (optional for dry hands)
- Pour everything into a food processor and blend on high for a minute
- Pour into food safe silicone squeezable bottles
- Squirt into your palm and massage into hands
What’s your take on antibacterial hand gels?
Haven’t been able to find 99% rubbing alcohol. Do you think the 70% would still be effective?