Make These To Keep Your Hands Germ-Free On The Go

In a recent post where I explained the difference between cleaning and sanitizing, I mentioned that if something is noticeably dirty, it’s better to clean it and remove the grime before attempting to sanitize it. That’s why it’s ultimately preferable to wash your hands instead of using hand sanitizer, because washing your hands cleans your skin and eliminates germs, while hand sanitizer only kills germs. 

But when you’re out of the house, you don’t always have the option to wash your hands with soap and water. When you need to clean and sanitize your hands on the go, having a pack of sanitizing wipes with you can really come in handy! And in today’s post, I’ll show you exactly how easy it is to make your own homemade sanitizing wipes for just such occasions.

What’s In Them?

Rubbing alcohol makes up the bulk of the sanitizing solution in these wipes, while a bit of coconut oil helps clean and moisturize your skin. The addition of lavender and lemon essential oils not only makes them wonderfully fragrant, but provides additional antibacterial properties too.

Ready to give them a try for yourself? Here’s everything you need to know to make your very own sanitizing wipes at home!

How To Make Your Own “Swipes,” AKA Sanitizing Wipes For Hands

Ingredients:

~50 napkins (or paper towels)
1 1/2 cups rubbing alcohol, 70% or higher
1 Tbsp coconut oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

Stack your napkins or paper towels into whatever container you want to store your finished wipes in. (An empty baby wipe container works perfectly here, but you could even use a ziplock bag if you’re short on sturdier options.)

Microwave the rubbing alcohol just until warm, then add the coconut oil and stir to incorporate the melting oil.

Add the essential oils, stir again, then pour the mixture all over your stack of wipes. Allow the liquid to fully saturate the wipes, and that’s all there is to it!

Use your sanitizing wipes as needed to clean and sanitize your hands while on the go.