During cold and flu season, many of us use hand sanitizer religiously. I keep a huge bottle on Abby’s changing table and a small bottle in her diaper bag. You just never know when you’re going to need to wash your hands, and you can’t always count on being close to a sink.
The commercial hand sanitizers contain alcohol in high amounts, which can be dangerous if ingested by small children. They also may contain potentially harmful chemicals such as fragrances and dyes, which simply aren’t necessary.
I decided to research natural ways to make my own hand sanitizer, and I’m happy with the formula I concocted. It uses essential oils, witch hazel, vitamin E oil, and aloe gel (uncolored) to cleanse hands safely and naturally while moisturizing. Because it lacks alcohol, it takes a little longer to dry. I recommend using a dime-sized amount to keep your hands from getting too sticky.
This hand sanitizer is natural and safe, so I feel comfortable using it on Abby’s hands when I’m desperate. After all, kids can get pretty gross!
Wiping her nose after crawling around on the bathroom floor
Here’s what you need to make your own:
- 1 empty 8-oz. pump bottle
- 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (I use doTerra)
- 30 drops tea tree (melaleuca) oil
- 2 T. witch hazel (I bought lavender scented, and I love it!)
- 10 drops vitamin E oil
- 1 cup uncolored aloe gel
Directions: Combine the oils and witch hazel in a large measuring cup or bowl. Add the aloe gel and stir very well. Carefully transfer the solution to your empty pump bottle (this was the hardest part!), screw on the top, and there you have it!
Hand modeling is definitely in my future.
Okay, okay. Back to parenting!
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