How to Make Everclear Hand Sanitizer

Dude, stuff is getting crazy, is it not? The other day I was picking up a drive up order at the store and the lady with my stuff had on gloves, an apron and a face mask. At first I was a little stunned but as I thought about the situation I realized that maybe I wouldn’t be getting out of the car to help load up the trunk like I normally do. It felt so rude but I’m pretty sure this lady did NOT want anything to do with me and I couldn’t have blamed her one tiny bit.

Driving to the next store for my second pickup things were so casual when I called to say I had arrived. “Are you sure you don’t want to just come in and get your order?” I responded “Not really?” Yep, with a question mark on the end. Because it was like I was adding “if that’s okay with you?” Because I really didn’t want to go in but I totally respect that people in retail (and other jobs) HAVE to go inside to keep our country running. (Thank you, by the way.) After seeing the apron and gloves and face mask of the previous lady I was considerably freaked out. So when I finally did get my order brought out to me it was handed over unceremoniously and then I was told to sign the screen on the device. Which I did.

And then I felt my face go red hot and the anxiety that overtook me was freaking instant. Perhaps it was a severe over-reaction… But I had just touched that screen that, no doubt, countless  other people had touched that day. And that’s a HUGE no-no right now. Why did I DO that?!? Reaching over to pump some hand sanitizer into my hand I was hit with another issue…

My bottle of hand sanitzer was empty.

And so I went home feeling like a freaking crazy person. I tried to pay attention to the road but I was suddenly aware of every time I almost touched my face. And suddenly my eyes itched SO BADLY and I COULDN’T TOUCH THEM! As soon as my hands were washed and my purchases taken care of and put away I was raiding my leftover liquor from Easter egg dyeing.

In all honesty, everclear hand sanitizer is NOT my first choice. In a nutshell, it’s really hard on my hands. And you have to be careful because it can cause burns if it’s not diluted. But I’d much rather have it to use after things like pumping gas than not. And locating already made Hand Sanitizer or Isopropyl Alcohol to make my own just hasn’t happened. As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. If you DO have access to Isopropyl Alcohol I’d really suggest this post to use it instead for your DIY hand sanitizer.

Quick Reminder… Hand Sanitizer is NOT a Substitute for Hand Washing.

In all things the best prevention for getting sick is to WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and water. Although by our calculations this recipe will create an approximately 63% alcohol ratio to meet the recommended 60% by the CDC, this recipe has NOT been tested in a lab against any illness.

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Please also check out this hand sanitizer recipe from the World Health Organization.

Supplies needed to make Hand Sanitizer from your liquor cabinet.

• Clean Pump Dispenser or Squeeze Bottles
• Everclear (151, 189, or 190 proof)
• Lavender Essential Oil (optional)
• Tea Tree Oil (optional)
• Vitamin E Oil (optional)

My adorably polka dotted squeeze bottles hold 2 ounces of hand sanitizer and were purchased from the travel section at Target. Without anybody travelling it seems that area is pretty decently stocked. My pump bottle is actually a lotion dispenser from Walmart and it works very well. I was able to order it through the online grocery service and have it delivered to my house.

When purchasing everclear (or borrowing it from you liquor cabinet) you can use 151, 189 or 190 proof. DO NOT USE 120 proof as it only has a 60% alcohol content. You cannot add aloe to lessen the effects of the alcohol to 120 proof and achieve the 60% alcohol content that is being stressed by the CDC.

Tools to Incorporate the Recipe.

Initially I had intended to mix up my sanitizer in a glass bowl with a whisk but I noticed a bit of rust on it. Since I had no desire to brave the big box stores to buy one I instead made sure my blender was very clean and used that. In the end, it’s so well blended that I will ALWAYS make my sanitizer this way. If you don’t have a blender or just don’t want to use it, a whisk and good old fashioned elbow grease will get her done, too.

Before you Begin, Tips for the Best Homemade Hand Sanitizer.

• Clean your work area before you begin. (I used a bleach based spray cleaner)
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Wash all utensils and bottles before use.
• The less tools and utensils you use, the less chance of contaminating your hand sanitizer.

Using 190 Proof Everclear (or 189 Proof Everclear)

190 proof everclear is the strongest you can get and has an alcohol content of 95%. To achieve a homemade hand sanitizer that is approximately 63% alcohol you’ll need a ratio of 2 parts 190 proof everclear to 1 part aloe (190 everclear:aloe = 2:1)

Using 151 Proof Everclear

If possible I’d suggest using the higher proof everclear but if all you can find is 151 proof it will work as it has a 75.5% alcohol content. To achieve a homemade hand sanitizer that is approximately 63% alcohol you’ll need a ratio of 5 parts 151 proof everclear to 1 part aloe (151 everclear:aloe = 5:1)

Because you use more alcohol with the 151 proof, it will be more harsh on your hands than using the 190 proof. A good hand cream can do a lot to help with the dryness homemade hand sanitizer can bring.

Additions to your Basic Everclear Hand Sanitizer Recipe

What I love about this hand sanitizer recipe is that you only need 2 ingredients. If you’re not crafty and you don’t do things like make soap you might not have a stash of rubbing alcohol or any essential oils. And you can get away with using only these 2 ingredients. But, there are a few things you can add to your basic hand sanitizer recipe, if you choose.

Vitamin E Oil for Softer Hands

I do find that the liquor hand sanitizer is a bit more rough on my hands than the homemade Isopropyl version. I tested adding Vitamin E oil to one of my little travel bottles of hand sanitizer and I was really happy with the results. All you need to add is a few drops for a big impact. I’d suggest adding 2 drops of Vitamin E Oil per ounce of homemade hand sanitizer for softer hands.

Essential Oils for Added Strength

Lots of big box stores and grocery stores carry essential oils nowadays. My favorite 2 that I have been still find locally are lavender and tea tree oil. For my hand sanitizers, I added 2 drops of essential per ounce.

Lavender Essential Oil is an antibacterial and antiviral. It’s often used in night time products like body wash and lotions because it’s also anti-anxiety. It also has a pleasant smell. Tea Tree Oil is antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial. It has a more harsh scent and one I’m not overly fond of. But the benefits outweigh the smell, in my opinion. I’d suggest only using one or the other as the 2 smells together aren’t overly pleasant.

Combat Dry, Cracked Skin by Using a Good Hand Cream

Even though there adding the Vitamin E oil helps, this homemade recipe can still be harsh on your skin. I’d suggest using sparingly and using a good quality hand cream in conjunction with its use. My go to hand creams are O’Keeffe’s Working Hands OR Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.

Can you make hand sanitizer with vodka instead of everclear?

No. Vodka does not have enough alcohol to be an effective hand sanitizer. If using liquor you need to use EVERCLEAR in 151, 189 or 190 proof.

I said it before and I’ll say it again… Hand Sanitizer is NOT a Substitute for Hand Washing.

All of the hand sanitizer in the world is not an acceptable substitute for hand washing. Please always wash your hands. And remember that I’m no scientist or doctor, so if you want an official hand sanitizer recipe, please see this hand sanitizer recipe from the World Health Organization. 

There is a wealth of good information out there right now. Please visit the CDC for information on how to protect yourself (and your family) during these trying times.

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