In the days following the World Health Organization’s announcement of this global pandemic, household items like toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitizer flew off the shelves. With such high demand, many of these items are in short supply across the globe. The good news is that you can actually make your own hand soaps and cleansers with a few key ingredients right at home.

Glycerin is a plant-based derivative that’s used as a base in soaps, lotions, and other cosmetics. It’s a mildly sticky solution that’s hydrating for your skin and helps to thicken liquid solutions. It can be used for many DIY beauty and household recipes including homemade skin-soothing soaps and hand cleansers.

Please note, while there are lots of DIY recipes available online, hand sanitizer is not a substitute for hand washing. The best way to keep germs, including the coronavirus, off your hands, is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If your household is running low on soaps, consider these easy recipes to help you and your family stay clean.

Ingredients

3.5 cups isopropyl alcohol

1 tbsp glycerin

¼ tsp hydrogen peroxide

½ cup boiled cold water

Directions

1. Add ingredients into a large bowl and stir to combine them.
2. Divide and pour the mixture into clean plastic bottles or soap dispensers.
3. To use: rub cleanser on the surfaces of both hands until your hands are dry.

Recipe from Living Well Mom

Ingredients

¼ cup castile soap, unscented

5 drops lavender essential oil

3 drops lemon essential oil

1 tsp glycerin

1 cup water

Directions

1. Pour castile soap into an empty soap bottle, then add water, glycerin, and lavender and lemon essential oils.
2. Swirl the bottle around to mix ingredients together, and it’s ready to use!

At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. Please do your part to wash your hands to prevent the spreading of this virus. At the same time, treat others with kind consideration and don’t hoard household items. We can all take care of ourselves, and each other, with careful hand hygiene and social distancing.

If you’re looking to take extra precautions and would like to stock up, consider making your own household personal hygiene recipes like soaps and cleansers with simple and affordable ingredients like glycerin. Stay tuned for more helpful wellness tips soon!