I don’t buy into the anti bacterial, commercial, chemical laden soaps. I’m a soap and water girl. No need to make those bugs stronger! I actually have these great soap pumps that I add about one Tablespoon of castile soap-(lavender, Rose or citrus Mmm good smelling) and I add a few drops of essential oils, again lavender or a citrus oil. Not only are essential oils aromatic, but they fight germs too!
Lavender oil is an antiseptic, disinfectant, bactericide
Lemon oil is an antiseptic, disenfectant, insectiside and fungicide
We are getting ready to leave for vacation and I usually carry hand sanitizer with me for times when we aren’t close to soap and water. After reading theis Mothering Magazine article and googling around the internet I decided to make my own hand sanitizer without harsh chemicals.
First I gathered up all my ingredients: Bragg’s Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, Aloe Vera Gel, Witch Hazel, Rosemary oil, Lemon oil, sweet orange oil, Lavender oil, tee tree oil and grapefruit seed extract (citracidal), a bowl for mixing and easy pouring, and some little squeeze bottles.
These are approximate measurements.
4oz aloe vera gel
less than 1/4 c witch hazel (I filled the 1/4 c about 2/3 full with witch hazel and filled the rest with the cider vinegar)
1 to 2 T Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
at least 40 drops of grapefruit seed extract
20 drops tee tree oil
and 20 to 30 drops of the remaining essential oils. I added more of the orange for scent. I mixed it all up well and poured it into the little bottles. An easy way and natural way to fight those germs!
As I said we are hitting the road again for some fun and excitement! My dear hubby has a conference and we get to tag along. He has such a nice boss! We will be visiting Philadelphia and NYC. I don’t know if I will post while we are away. I am hoping to visit at least 1 raw restaurant while I am gone so Thursdays recipe post will hopefully be a restaurant review!
I love your thoughts, recipes and most of all the awesome photos that you take! My favorite books are DK, because of the photos. You should publish some of these ideas and photos into books. So glad I can be around for your greatness
Have a great trip, I’m so jealous of your restauranteering! (I made that word up) Maybe there’s a raw food restaurant in Seattle I can visit next month….hmmm…
Very cool, can’t wait to make my own! Lavender essential oil also stops the burning process on your skin after a cooking burn! I have used it many times and it works like a charm. You just pour some on the burn immediately after it happens and wait. Your skin will heal faster, with less pain and scarring.
Ohhh, this looks great! How clever of you to come up with this
I have everything at home except the grapefruit seed extract and I’ll pick some up the next time I’m at the natural foods store in town. I can’t wait! Thanks for sharing this.
[...] sanitizer is great to have handy when you’re out and about with the kiddos. Pepper Paints shares how to make your own from [...]
Thank you so much for sharing this! I hate commercially available ones, they’re so harsh, I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Niqui-Hahaha You are too kind! But thanks.
Lisa–SO good to know about the lavender oil and burns! Thanks.
Love your blog! Thanks for all the great ideas! I love all natural stuff, so nice for kids!
Windi
[...] I never thought to tell the teacher she can’t. As far as homemade sanitizer, here is a recipe: Natural Hand Sanitizer | Pepper Paints My only concern is this article that says for it to be effective, it must have 60% alcohol: [...]
[...] I never thought to tell the teacher she can’t. As far as homemade sanitizer, here is a recipe: Natural Hand Sanitizer | Pepper Paints My only concern is this article that says for it to be effective, it must have 60% alcohol: [...]
I just made some of this up. Mine is really runny, did I do something wrong or is that how it’s suppose to be? My hands feel great, not dry like the store brand. Thanks for sharing!
Amy—No, it’s a little runny! You have to be careful poring it out. But it does make your hands soft!! Thanks for commenting.
[...] to go with those awesome bath-wraps, how about some homemade Snow-Globe Soap from AlphaMom.com or some natural hand-sanitizer from [...]