Can’t find hand sanitizer? Here’s how to make your own.

Most stores remain sold out of hand sanitizer as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the world. Now, many people have turned to making their own.

To make an effective hand sanitizer, the final product needs to have at least 60% alcohol, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The two main ingredients in homemade hand sanitizer are alcohol and aloe vera.

Most drug stores sell isopropyl alcohol that is either 70% alcohol or 99% alcohol.

If you purchase 70% alcohol, use nine parts alcohol to one part aloe vera gel and mix vigorously.  A recipe with 99% alcohol would be three parts alcohol to two parts aloe vera gel.

You can also add 8 to 10 drops of scented oil, if you want your homemade hand sanitizer to smell nice.

While hand sanitizer may be a quick fix killing most germs, the CDC says handwashing remains the best way to protect against the novel coronavirus and other pathogens.  When washing your hands, use soap to scrub thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds at a time with warm water.