DIY Disinfectant Wipes – How to make DIY Cleaning Wipes

Learn how to make DIY disinfectant wipes with alcohol and essential oils! Homemade cleaning wipes are convenient, easy to use and can be effective to clean and disinfect hard surfaces in your home. The natural cleaning recipe comes together in just 5 minutes and is made with natural, non-toxic materials.

DIY disinfectant wipes

Last week, I shared my easy DIY antibacterial hand wipes, now I’m following up that post with DIY disinfectant wipes. These DIY wipes are a homemade, natural alternative to Clorox disinfectant wipes (if you ever wondered how do you make Lysol wipes at home – this is the post for you!)

My disinfecting spray is perfect when you simply want to disinfect a surface. But with this recipe, I wanted to make all purposes wipes that clean and disinfect at the same time. I had this idea for a while and I’m happy to share these reusable cleaning wipes with you today!

DIY disinfectant wipes ingredients

How do you make natural disinfectant wipes? Here are the supplies you need:

High proof alcohol

DIY disinfectant wipes with alcohol are the only way to ensure our DIY cleaning wipes are safe. According to WHO and CDC recommendations, a disinfectant must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.

For the best natural cleaning wipes, prepare the recipe with high-proof alcohol. Here are some options that you can use in this recipe:

• Spirytus vodka (192 proof, 96% alcohol)
• 190 proof Everclear (95% alcohol)
• Golden Grain (190 proof / 95% alcohol)
• Gem Clear 190 Proof (95% alcohol)
• Alcohol-95 (95% alcohol content)
• 151 proof Everclear (75.5% alcohol content)
• 150 proof vodka (75% alcohol content)

You can also opt for homemade Lysol wipes with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). However, rubbing/isopropyl alcohol is very harsh and poisonous if consumed, especially for toddlers and small children. But if rubbing alcohol is your only option, use it!

Sal Suds (for strong DIY cleaning wipes)

The cleaning power in my DIY cleaning wipes comes from Dr Bronner’s Sal Suds. Sal Suds is a biodegradable all-purpose detergent, not a soap, and perfect for many household applications. This versatile cleaner cuts through sticky grease and stubborn dirt, but is mild on the skin.

Sal Suds contains fir and spruce essential oils, so expect a mild forest fragrance.

Homemade cleaning wipes with castile soap

You can also make DIY cleaning wipes with liquid castile soap. Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap that can be used to clean almost anything and everything, from body care to green cleaning. The soap is gentle on the skin and at the same time effective to remove grease, dirt and unwanted germs.

While castile soap isn’t as powerful as Sal Suds, you have this option.

Essential oil wipes (optional)

Adding essential oils is optional. As I mentioned, Sal Suds already contains fir and spruce essential oils. To increase the cleansing power and customise the scent, add a few drops of the following essential oils – all of which are said to have disinfecting properties:

• tea tree essential oil
• lavender essential oil
• lemon essential oil
• sandalwood essential oil
• eucalyptus essential oil
• oregano essential oil
• thyme essential oil
• clove bud essential oil

Some essential oils can cloud the disinfectant solution, but you can use the product nonetheless.

Wipes

For the wipes, you can choose from different options:

Homemade disposable cleaning wipes

Use thick paper, for example, cosmetic wipes, kitchen/guest paper towels, or dinner napkins. Toilet paper is too thin and will become mushy once exposed to the liquid disinfectant.

Reusable cleaning wipes

DIY reusable disinfecting wipes are more durable, eco-friendly and will safe money as you won’t have to re-buy paper towels. Reusable kitchen wipes, small washcloths, cotton wipes, or reusable paper towels are all great options. I used these microfiber cloths.

Remember that reusable antibacterial wipes have to be washed after each use before you can reuse them in a new batch.

Check out this tutorial from Koti Beth to learn how to make reusable wipes from flannel cloth.

Storage container for DIY disinfectant wipes

I like to have a canister of disinfecting wipes on my kitchen counter. 16-oz mason jars or large clip-top jars are great container ideas to store homemade cleaning wipes. Whatever you use, be sure that the container is airtight.

How to make DIY disinfectant wipes – DIY cleaning wipes recipe

How do I make my own disinfectant wipes? Here are the simple steps to make natural cleaning wipes at home:

1. Pour the alcohol into your storage container of choice.
2. Add the Sal Suds and essential oils (if using).
3. Stir to combine the ingredients. Mix slowly to avoid premature foaming.
4. Place the wipes in the jar until the wipes are fully soaked.

Do disinfecting wipes really work?

Yes, as long as the alcohol content in your DIY disinfectant recipe is over 60% and you use them correctly.

How to use DIY disinfecting wipes

Let me show you the simple steps to use disinfecting wipes properly:

• Vertical surfaces: Start at the top and wipe down.
• Horizontal surfaces: Start at on end and slowly wipe to the opposite end.
• The surface should be visibly wet. Use multiple wipes to cover large areas.   
• For the best effectiveness, the surface should remain wet for 10 minutes.
• Let the surface air dry.
• Once dry, rinse the surface with fresh water and dry with a clean towel.
• Only use the DIY wipes one-time and then wash or dispose of them. Don’t keep reusing a single wipe to minimize the risk of moving germs from one surface to another.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the cleaning wipes.

What are disinfectant wipes used for?

DIY disinfectant wipes are very versatile and perfect for cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces in one step. I use mine mostly as DIY bathroom cleaning wipes and reusable kitchen cleaning wipes. Here are more uses for homemade disinfecting wipes:

• doorknobs
• countertops
• light switches
• toilets
• faucets
• cabinet handles
• shopping cart handle
• steering wheel

Can you use disinfectant wipes on skin?

No, I don’t recommend using these DIY disinfectant wipes on your skin. My DIY hand sanitizer wipes are the better option. These disinfectant travel wipes are made with glycerin and vitamin E oil, and are gentler on the skin than my DIY cleaning wipes.

Shelf life and storage

The DIY house cleaning wipes must be stored in an airtight container. Keep the wipes in a dark place away from heat and direct sunlight. The DIY all purpose cleaning wipes can be kept for many months.

Reusable wipes or towels have to be washed after each use.

How to rehydrate disinfecting wipes

To be effective, the DIY wipes must be sodden in disinfectant solution. If DIY disinfecting wipes have dried out, they can be revived by more disinfectant solution. Allow the wipes to absorb the liquid completely before using.

Stay healthy with these DIYs

If you like this tutorial, you will find the following DIYs helpful:

• homemade hand sanitizer gel
• DIY disinfectant hand spray
• DIY hand sanitizer wipes
• natural disinfecting spray
• antibacterial hand soap

Over to you!

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Irena xx