By blog team member, Kiran. To learn more about Kiran, check out our team page or her blog!
The excitement of cooler weather is here, but there's also something else among us—unwelcome germs that like to rear their ugly heads! I have some germaphobe tendencies, especially this time of year. I like to keep the little buggers at bay but without the use of unwanted chemicals found in some hand sanitizers.
So I'm happy today to share a couple of germ fighter recipes from our friend and sponsor, Plant Therapy. Think of them as home remedies for staying sick-free (or trying to!) this season.
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!
About Plant Therapy
Plant Therapy is a family-owned and family-run essential oils company who we've enjoyed partnering with over the last few years. They work with essential oils expert Robert Tisserand and several analytical laboratories to create their essential oil formulas. All of this has led them to develop their KidSafe oils, which are, you guessed it, safe for kids (over the age of 2)!
What you'll notice about Plant Therapy is how good their prices are. Owners Chris and Amanda Jones aim to provide their products at affordable prices with the highest quality available so everyone can take advantage of the benefits. They offer great information as well, including the DIY remedies below.
Homemade Counter Wipes
Supplies
- 2 tablespoons castile soap
- Essential oils of your choice
- 2 cups warm water
- 1.9 quart airtight container (like this Oxo Round Canister)
- 1 roll select-a-size paper towels
Instructions
- Cut a roll of paper towels in half using an electric knife or serrated bread knife.
- Place one of the paper towel roll halves into the container. If you have to smash it a bit to fit, that is okay. Once wet, you will take out the core.
- In a measuring cup, combine the warm water, castile soap, and 30-40 drops of essential oils (see recipes below).
- Pour the mixture over the paper towels and let soak.
- Once soaked, you can easily remove the center tube.
- Seal with a lid and use as you would any other counter wipes.
Recipe Ideas
- Fresh Kitchen: 15 drops each lavender and lemon
- Disinfecting: 15 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon, and 5 drops rosemary
- Fresh & Fruity: 20 drops sweet orange, 10 drops grapefruit, and 5 drops of vanilla
- Or use one of Plant Therapy's germ synergies (Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter)
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Who needs hand sanitizer that is full of ethyl alcohol and oftentimes even food dyes? Not to mention that they dry out your hands and are also flammable. No thanks! Here's how to easily make your own version.
Supplies
- 4 tablespoons or 2 ounces aloe gel (Plant Therapy offers plain and lavender aloe jelly)
- The following essential oils: Germ Destroyer (kid safe version), Germ Fighter (adult version), or Palmarosa & Fir Needle
Instructions
- Pour aloe gel into a flip-top bottle.
- Add 10 drops Palmarosa and 8 drops Fir Needle or 18 drops of Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter
- Shake well to incorporate oils.
- Use a dime-size squirt of gel as needed on your hands and rub in.
You or your child can carry this gel with you to work or school. It's a perfect alternative to traditional hand sanitizer. Not only will you support your immune function, but you will fight off the germs that many of us pick up every day. Keep your family healthy and happy using a homemade hand sanitizer!
Caught Something Anyway?
If sickness or sniffles are already in your home, Plant Therapy offers a DIY sore throat solution here and solutions for coughs and congestion. They all utilize essential oils to combat the ailment at hand. Obviously, the steam solution should be used with caution for children.
Other Fun DIY Projects
- How to Make Homemade Natural Bath Bombs
- How to Make Homemade Natural Candles
- How to Make Homemade Bath Salts
Homemade Natural Counter Wipes
Equipment
- Airtight container
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1 roll select-a-size paper towels
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons Castile soap
- 40 drops essential oil your favorite combination of oils
Instructions
- Cut a roll of paper towels in half using an electric knife or serrated bread knife.
- Place one of the paper towel roll halves into the container. If you have to smash it a bit to fit, that is okay. Once wet, you will take out the core.
- In a measuring cup, combine the warm water, castile soap, and 30-40 drops of essential oils.
- Pour the mixture over the paper towels and let soak.
- Once soaked, you can easily remove the center tube.
- Seal with a lid and use as you would any other counter wipes.
Notes
Essential Oil Recipe Ideas
- Fresh Kitchen: 15 drops each lavender and lemon
- Disinfecting: 15 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon, and 5 drops rosemary
- Fresh & Fruity: 20 drops sweet orange, 10 drops grapefruit, and 5 drops of vanilla
- Or use one of Plant Therapy’s germ synergies (Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter)
Homemade Hand Sanititzer
Equipment
- Flip-top bottle
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons aloe gel (or 2 ounces, Plant Therapy offers plain and lavender aloe jelly)
- 10 drops Palmarosa essential oil
- 8 drops Fir Needle essential oil
- 18 drops Germ Destroyer (or Germ Fighter)
Instructions
- Pour aloe gel into a flip-top bottle.
- Add 10 drops Palmarosa and 8 drops Fir Needle or 18 drops of Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter.
- Shake well to incorporate oils.
- Use a dime-size squirt of gel as needed on your hands and rub in.
Angela says
I am interested in learning about how to use various oils and to see uses for frankincense & myrh
Stacey williams says
Newsletter
Stacey williams says
I'm so excited about the kidsafe line. My son gets terrible growing pains so I'm most interested in that one.
Calli says
I am interested in the Germ Fighter blend!
Danielle Galan says
Newsletter
Danielle Galan says
I would love to try the kid safe line, especially the germ fighters!
Kate says
I would love to try the diffuser, and all the products geared towards children. Thanks for sharing this company with me :)
Faith humphrey says
I would like to try the Plant Therapy Germ Fighter. I help take care of my father that has bone cancer and the days we have to take him to his VA clinic appointments worry about him getting a cold because of others that are sick. He doesn't need this with all his health problems.
Thanks, Faith
Lisa J says
Newsletter
Lisa J says
I would like to try the oregano oil.
Kristi says
I am interested in the kidsafe pack.
Dominique Culver says
Newsletter
Dominique Culver says
I love plant therapy and would love to try their peppermint lotion! And their kid safe wellness package looks great!
Christa says
I'd try the Blues Buster..
Beverly says
How important is it to use essential oils in the wipes? I can't handle fragrances (even botanicals) so I'd like to make cleaning wipes without using essential oils.
Jennifer Hayden says
I would love to try lavender or peppermint for my migraines.
Tasmin says
newsletter
Tasmin says
I would like to try the Lavender Lotion
Carmen N says
Peppermint Latte sounds good enough to eat!
Katie says
Immune booster
Lindsey says
Newsletter
Lindsey says
I would like to try the germ destroyer.
Erin says
i would love to try kidsafe germ destroyer!!
McCall says
Newsletter
McCall says
I would love to try them all!! :) The Germ Destroyer sounds interesting.
Kathy M says
Newsletter
Kathy M says
I would like to try the germ fighter roll-on.
elisabeth says
I would love to try pink grapefruit! Thanks.
Jessica says
I would like to try the germ fighter.
Jennifer Krizik says
I would like to try the adult wellness kit!
Kathy says
Signed up. Looking forward to the NEWSLETTER.
Kathy says
KidSafe please! Mom of 4 who works with kids too!
Jamie says
KidSafe Blends!
Terry says
Gosh, so many to choose from. :) I kind of would like to try them all, but I guess the thing I am most interested in is adult wellness.
Donna says
newsletter
Donna says
Adult Wellness Kit please :)
Kathryn says
I'd like to have both!!
Beth says
Newsletter- they're newsletter is great!
Beth says
I'd like to try the adult wellness kit! I'm very interested in learning more
Jennifer says
I'd like to try the KidSafe blends.