How To Make A Natural Hand Sanitizer Gel?

On a day-to-day basis, the use of disinfectant gel is increasingly common and not only for fear of contagion of diseases. Often times, its use can respond to a simpler reason: the lack of water (or soap) in public places.

Many times, when we go out, we have no way to wash our hands properly after touching various objects and surfaces, going to a public toilet, etc. In those cases, we may resort to wet towels with soap or disinfectant gel.

Although it is not wrong to use these options, it must always be borne in mind that they are not a substitute for washing hands with soap and water. 

What is a sanitizing gel?

Sanitizing gel (also known as antibacterial or sanitizing gel) is a product that is made from alcohol. In principle, it is a complement to washing hands with soap and water.

Given the ease of application, there are people who have purchased it to take it with them “in case of emergency.” With which, it is no longer a product that only health personnel use in health centers.

A small amount is applied to the palm of the hands, spread and rubbed in until completely absorbed. And although it does not generally have a very strong odor and could even be described as “neutral”, it is possible to purchase various presentations with various aromas and colors. 

How to prepare a disinfectant gel at home?

The hands are in constant contact with all kinds of surfaces and objects. Therefore, it is important to keep them clean and for this, there is no better method than washing hands with soap and water. Above all, as parents say from childhood: ” before and after handling food and going to the bathroom.” However, when we do not have a sink nearby, we can resort to applying disinfectant gel.

Although it is very easy to find this product in supermarkets, pharmacies and other commercial establishments, there are those who have been encouraged to make their own homemade versions, with ingredients such as aloe vera gel.

Ingredients

• 16 drops of tea tree oil.
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil.
• 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.
• 8 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (80 g).

Utensils

• 1 strainer.
• 2 metal spoons.
• 1 bottle with dispenser.
• 1 glass container.

Preparation

• To prepare the disinfectant gel, you will need 8 heaping tablespoons, to obtain it, open one of the fleshy leaves of the aloe vera plant
• and, with the help of the spoon, extract the gelatinous substance.
• Once you have all the aloe vera gel you need, place it in a strainer and run it through the stream of water to remove the sage (the yellowish layer that covers it).
• Once it is very clean, you can place it in a glass container and add the rest of the ingredients.

• Add the essential oils one at a time, starting with the tea tree oil.
• With the help of the metal spoon, stir everything until the ingredients are well integrated. It should be a somewhat thick mixture, with a gelatinous consistency.
• Pour the mixture into the dispenser bottle and refrigerate for a while if you want it to feel cool to the touch.

Some considerations

If you have a skin disorder (dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, etc.), it is not recommended that you apply homemade preparations without first consulting with your dermatologist. In this way, you will avoid suffering adverse reactions, such as redness, itching, swelling, etc.

The disinfectant gel (industrial) is a product that, if used properly, can complement hygiene habits in public spaces, but ultimately, it is essential to give priority to washing hands with soap and water at all times.