This Really Works: A Hand Sanitizer Without All the Chemicals

 

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There’s no question that washing your hands with plain soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. But when you’re on-the-go—traveling, commuting, or running around with kids who touch everything gross in sight—hand sanitizer works in a pinch.

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To fight this winter’s germ onslaught, I’m armed with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Organic Fair Trade Hand Sanitizing Spray. With only four ingredients—water, glycerin, alcohol, and lavender oil—it has everything you need to fight germs without any chemical ingredients you don’t. The bacteria and virus fighting power comes from 62% sugarcane-based ethyl alcohol (the amount recommended by the CDC to effectively banish the bad stuff). But instead of smelling like a chem lab, it has an amazing, instantly calming lavender scent. The bonus is that the sweet scent paired with the spray formula somehow makes it more appealing to my kids than goopy Purell. The 2-ounce size is perfect for stashing in a diaper bag, purse, or coat pocket.

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Just remember that to be effective, application counts. Make sure you saturate your hands with the spray, and rub them together for 10 to 15 seconds until dry. And when you do need to reach for the soap, Dr. Bronner’s plant-based bars are amazing too.

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