Hi everyone,
I hope you and your community are keeping well and safe.
In the past few days, many of you have been in contact with questions about homemade hand sanitiser recipes and the best essential oils to use. As a family, we’ve spent a few evenings creating recipes (yes that is how we roll in our house!).
Because of the severity of the current situation with COVID-19, we have chosen to list a formula that is recommended by the World Health Organisation as opposed to a milder, more gentle formula. And remember that alcohol is the real ‘hero’ in the recipe.
But first, as shared by many in recent weeks, washing your hands with a standard bar or liquid soap and water is the best way to clean your hands. Hand sanitisers are good to use when you are on the go but excessive usage is not recommended.
And secondly, the commercial hand sanitisers that have vanished from shop shelves usually have a gel like texture. You will not be able to replicate this as they usually require ingredients that are not available to the public.
To make 80ml (1/3 cup) you will need
In addition to the WHO recipe, we have added 10 drops of essential oils. Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary and Tea Tree all have well documented antimicrobial properties, but remember again - alcohol is the most important ingredient!
An example of blend we have created is 4-5 drops lavender + 4-5 drops lemon + 2 drops rosemary
How to make it
If you use Aloe Vera Gel, a small pump or a standard cap on the bottle works better. If you can’t find Glycerin, you can replace it with the equivalent amount of water, Witch Hazel or Aloe Vera.
Happy making, and mind you & yours.
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And here is a link to the WHO resource on this topic
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Vegetable oils - also called ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oils - are oils that are extracted from various seeds or fruits by a physical process called "cold pressing*, meaning the fruits/seeds/kernels are crushed to squeeze out their oil. These oils are commonly used in cooking (olive oil, sunflower oil) but are also extremely beneficial for skin and hair. And choosing what oil is best for you will depend on their natural composition and your skin type. To help you chose, here is a little guide about what each oil is good for.
Oils covered: Almond, Apricot, Argan, Avocado, Hemp, Coconut, Jojoba.