Make homemade hand sanitizer to keep germs away.

Germs are always around, but they seem to pick up in number and severity during the winter months of the year or any time of the year. With cold weather soon approaching, that means it will also be cold and flu season. Although most people do their best to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating a meal, the common things that a person touches could be sources of bacteria and viruses.

From light switches to doorknobs and shopping carts to the touchscreen on the ATM, germs can thrive just about anywhere. This homemade hand sanitizer is easy to make, uses common ingredients, and could help to prevent a nasty cold or bout with influenza.

Disclaimer: This hand sanitizer is not a substitute for proper handwashing. This hand sanitizer recipe does not include the 60%+ alcohol content that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations recommend for hand sanitizer to properly kill viruses. Consult with a medical professional before using a home remedy on yourself and your family.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients:

• One bottle of witch hazel
• One bottle of aloe vera
• Lavender essential oil
• Lemon essential oil
• Tea tree essential oil
• Sweet orange essential oil
• 4-ounce glass spray bottle
• Vitamin E oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add 20 drops of tea tree oil, 5 drops of lavender oil, 5 drops of lemon oil, and 5 drops of sweet orange oil to the glass bottle.
2. Gently swirl the oils together. Slowly pour witch hazel into the spray bottle until it is about 2/3 of the way full.
3. Add aloe vera until the bottle is full. If desired, add a few drops of vitamin E oil; it extends the shelf life and adds antioxidants to the hand sanitizer.
4. Put the lid on the bottle and shake it to mix the ingredients. Label the bottle and store it in a cool, dry place for up to two months.
5. Use it before touching surfaces or when it is not possible to wash hands with soap and water.