Can’t Find Hand Sanitizer in Stores? How About Making Your Own?

With the coronavirus spreading unpredictably, and people in Connecticut and New York bracing for any potential impact, hand sanitizer products are flying off store shelves.

I know you've heard the experts say to wash and sanitize your hands, but how can you do it if you're on the go and there's no sanitizer to be found? Well, there is a solution. It's a little old school, but sometimes you have to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

According to wikihow.com, making your own hand sanitizer is pretty easy, and only requires a few products. So if you're ready for a little "homemade," follow these simple instructions:

This particular recipe of  hand sanitizer closely emulates the commercial kind, without all the chemicals and without the perfume smell. The CDC reminds everyone that hand sanitizer should not replace hand washing, just use it when you really need it. Here's what you'll need:

• 2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or vodka
• 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel (preferably without additives)
• 8 to 10 drops essential oil, such as lavender, clove, cinnamon, or peppermint
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Funnel
• Plastic container

Now that you've got all your ingredients set, you're ready for the next step.

Just mix the alcohol and aloe vera gel in the mixing bowl. Now, add the drops of essential oils into the alcohol and aloe vera, and use your spoon to mix it all up.

Don't add all 8 or 10 drops of the essential oils all at once. Add a few drops at a time, then smell the mixture to see if you like it or not.

Now your mixture should be totally smooth. If you would like to make your homemade sanitizer thicker, just add another spoonful of aloe vera, or, if you're looking to thin it out a bit, then just add another spoonful of alcohol.

Finally, pour the entire mixture into a container, fill to the brim, and screw on the lid of the container until you're ready to use it.

A small squirt bottle will work if you want to carry it around with you. Remember, if you have any extra left, pour it into a jar with a tightly fitted lid.

The entire process should take no longer then 15-20 minutes, and if kept at the optimal temperature, the batch you made will last for months. The rubbing alcohol will act as a preservative.

Now you're ready to take on any germs that head your way, and by sanitizing, you will also decrease your chances of catching those nasty germies.