Scented Sanitation: Adding Fragrance To Hand Sanitizer

Adding fragrance to hand sanitiser is a simple process that can be done at home. However, it is important to note that the FDA does not recommend adding scents to hand sanitiser as it may affect its antimicrobial activity. If you do choose to add fragrance, it is important to use skin-safe oils and ensure that the alcohol content remains above 62% to maintain effectiveness. The amount of fragrance oil needed will depend on the desired scent strength and the volume of hand sanitiser being fragranced.

Adding fragrance oil to hand sanitiser

Once you have measured out your fragrance oil, pour it into your unscented hand sanitiser and replace the cap. Shake the bottle vigorously to combine the oil and sanitiser. You can also add the fragrance oil to the hand sanitiser in a separate vessel and stir until well-combined, but you will then need a funnel to replace the liquid in the bottle.

It is important to note that the FDA does not recommend adding scents to hand sanitiser as the potential effects on antimicrobial activity have not been assessed. Additionally, adding fragrances or essential oils to alcohol-based hand sanitiser can dilute it and reduce its effectiveness. If the alcohol content falls below 62%, it may fail to kill germs. Therefore, it is important to use a skin-safe fragrance oil and ensure that your hand sanitiser still contains enough alcohol to be effective.

Using essential oils

Adding fragrance to hand sanitiser is a simple process, but it's important to note that the FDA does not recommend adding scents to hand sanitiser as the potential effects on antimicrobial activity have not been assessed. If you still want to add fragrance to your hand sanitiser, you can do so by using fragrance or essential oils.

To add fragrance to hand sanitiser using essential oils, you will need to use a digital scale to measure the appropriate amount of base for your total bottle amount and oz fill. You can reference a Fragrance Percentage Chart for easy measuring conversions. Next, measure out your essential oils. You will want 3-6% total essential oils to base. So, if you are making a batch of sanitiser with 16 oz of base and using three essential oils, you will need 10 ml of each essential oil for a total of 1 oz of essential oil.

Another method is to pour about 15-20 drops of fragrance oil per 2 oz of hand sanitiser. For example, if you have 16 oz of hand sanitiser, you will need about 160 drops of fragrance oil (about 0.5 oz) to scent it. Replace the cap of the sanitiser and shake vigorously (after ensuring that the lid is screwed tightly). Alternatively, you can pour the full amount of liquid into a vessel, add fragrance oil, and stir until well-combined. However, you will likely need a funnel to replace the liquid into the bottle.

Conduct a test by pouring a dime-sized drop of your scented liquid into your hand and massaging it gently into your skin. If it smells good to you, great! If not, add a few more drops before testing again. Please ensure that the fragrance oil you choose for your hand sanitiser is skin-safe.

The FDA's stance on adding scents

The FDA does not recommend adding scents to hand sanitiser. This is because the potential effects on antimicrobial activity have not been assessed. The purpose of hand sanitiser is to protect you from bacteria and viruses, not to be a hand lotion.

The FDA's stance on this is clear, but it is possible to add fragrance to hand sanitiser. To do so, you can add 15-20 drops of fragrance oil per 2 oz of hand sanitiser. You can then replace the cap and shake the bottle vigorously. Another method is to pour the hand sanitiser into a vessel, add fragrance oil, and stir until well-combined. However, you will then need a funnel to replace the liquid in the bottle.

It is important to note that adding fragrances or essential oils to hand sanitiser can dilute the alcohol content, making it less effective. If the alcohol content falls below 62%, its effectiveness drops dramatically and may fail to kill germs.

When adding fragrance to hand sanitiser, it is important to use skin-safe oils and conduct a test by pouring a dime-sized drop of the scented liquid into your hand and massaging it gently into your skin. If it smells good, you're done! If not, you can add a few more drops and test again.

The effect of scents on alcohol content

Adding fragrance to hand sanitiser can be done by adding 15-20 drops of fragrance oil per 2 oz of hand sanitiser. However, the FDA does not recommend adding scents to hand sanitiser as the potential effects on antimicrobial activity have not been assessed. Furthermore, the alcohol content of the hand sanitiser may be affected by the addition of fragrance oils, causing it to become ineffective if the alcohol content falls below 62%.

Testing the scent

To test the scent, pour a dime-sized drop of your scented hand sanitiser into your hand and massage it gently into your skin. If you are happy with the scent, then you are done! If not, you can add a few more drops of fragrance oil and test again. It is important to use a skin-safe fragrance oil to avoid any potential irritation.

When adding fragrance oil, it is important to use the correct ratio of oil to hand sanitiser. A good rule of thumb is to use 3-6% total essential oils to the base. So, for a 16 oz batch of hand sanitiser, you would use 10 ml of each essential oil, for a total of 1 oz of essential oil. This will ensure that your hand sanitiser is effectively fragranced without becoming too diluted.

It is also important to note that adding too much fragrance oil can affect the alcohol content of your hand sanitiser. If the alcohol content falls below 62%, its effectiveness may be compromised. Therefore, it is crucial to test the scent and adjust as needed to ensure your hand sanitiser remains effective.

Frequently asked questions