How to make your own hand sanitiser

No Dettol? No problem. If hand sanitiser has sold out at the supermarket, you can make some at home by following these simple steps.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of 99% isopropyl alcohol (also known as ‘rubbing alcohol’)
• ½ cup of aloe vera gel
• 10 drops of essential oil (e.g. tea tree, lavender or eucalyptus)

Directions

1. Pour the alcohol into a container, preferably one with a pouring spout.
2. Add the aloe vera gel. Aloe is a great way to counteract the harsh effects of alcohol on the skin. It is possible to use gel from the store or straight from the plant, however, if it is natural it will make the final product a little bit stickier.
3. Add the essential oil. We recommend tea tree, lemongrass or eucalyptus oils since they are naturally antibacterial. Or, if you want to add a floral perfume to your hand sanitiser, lavender is a great alternative.
4. Mix the ingredients with a spoon and then beat with a whisk to turn the sanitiser into a smooth gel.
5. Pour the mixture into an empty bottle for easy use.

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