Yes, so long as the concentration and contact time minimum requirements are met.  For a detailed answer with links to authoritative sources, visit Does Ethyl Alcohol Kill Germs, Viruses, and Bacteria? 

Visit the online store at CulinarySolvent.com to buy pure premium 200 proof food grade ethanol for making your own homemade hand sanitizer or surface disinfectant.

Not all alcohol is created equal, and the strength (Alcohol by Volume or ABV) of your starting alcohol will determine the recipe you should follow to make sanitizer or disinfectant. Check the label of your alcohol or visit https://culinarysolvent.com/blogs/alcohol-for-makers/how-to-determine-alcohol-concentration-for-hand-sanitizer-disinfectant-recipes for more information.

Absolutely! Customizing your hand sanitizer by adding ingredients like moisturizing lotions, essential oils, vitamins, or aromatherapy scents is a great way to tailor the recipe to meet your family’s specific needs. When incorporating additional ingredients, be sure to subtract the volume from the gel or cream base, but never reduce the alcohol content. Always ensure the final mixture maintains an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 60% or higher to keep the sanitizer effective.

No. It is never safe to mix common household products, especially bleach or ammonia with each other or with ethyl alcohol. Never reuse bottles or containers that once held bleach or ammonia in them to prevent accidental mixing.

No, aloe vera gel is not a required ingredient for hand sanitizer recipes.   Aloe vera gel is useful in moisturizing the skin, and therefore is commonly included in most recipes for hand sanitizer. Alternatively, you can substitute aloe vera gel for your favorite lotion or cream.  Substituting aloe vera gel for your own lotion is an effective way to customize your hand sanitizer for maximum comfort and benefit. When substituting lotion for aloe vera gel, do not adjust the amount of alcohol used to ensure the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties of your hand sanitizer are maintained.

Technically, homemade hand sanitizer doesn't expire, but it can become less effective over time. This happens when alcohol evaporates, reducing the solution's alcohol by volume (ABV) below the recommended 60%. If you've recently made a fresh batch, it should remain effective for at least a year, as long as it's stored in a tightly sealed bottle, away from heat and sunlight.