Here is how you make the best antibacterial DIY cleaning wipes for your house that smell amazing! Make them reusable or not to clean up all the spills and eliminate germs in your home.
If you’re like me you use a lot of wipes! I haven’t had children in diapers for over 8 years but every room has wipes for sure. I have them in my car, some in my purse, and literally in every room of the house I feel. I was kinda’ done buying them in bulk to use around the house to clean up spills so I finally got around to making these DIY cleaning wipes that work great and save me a ton of money too! (originally published 5/18, affiliate links present)
- Of course I still have small packages in my car and purse but around the house I didn’t really need prepackaged wipes. I felt like making them myself was the way to go there!
In addition to saving money (which I love) I was able to add amazing scents using essential oils which I love.
** Note, all of these products should be kept away from animals and children for safety reasons.
These are great for a lot of reasons. If you are a teacher and in need of cleaning desks at the end of the day, or a parent, they work great.
I always suggest using items you already have around the house as far as the jar and ingredients go. If you don’t have everything I will provide links to purchase them online as well below.
- I use them when I work through our monthly cleaning schedule checklists here.
- If you have a bit of time on your hands, or want a feasible way to work through every room in your home, I suggest printing those out.
If you are in need of how to make homemade antibacterial wipes here is the recipe
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol (at least 70% strength)
- or if you just want to clean and not necessarily disinfect you can use vinegar
- 1 tbsp liquid detergent or dish soap
- Micro fiber cloths
- A large air tight jar, spray bottle, or size you’d like to use
- 6 drops lavender oil
- Double or triple these amounts to make as much as you’d like.
- Submerge cloths in liquid, secure lid and shake.
- Take out and use one at a time, or spray mixture and use cloths to clean surfaces.
Yes you can add a few drops of essential oils to this mixture for scent as well. That part is entirely up to you but I like the addition of one.
The above “recipe” is great for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
If you want to make homemade hand sanitizer, mix these ingredients together.
- 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol
- should be 91% pure
- ½ cup of aloe vera gel
- 15 drops of tea tree oil
- this is known as an antibacterial essential oil
- I was late to the game when it came to using these little bottles.
- You can read my essential oils 101 post about my journey here. I will say they work amazingly well with these do it yourself cleaning cloths.
Of course it is totally up to you which essential oils you use, this one is probably my all time favorite!
This is what you’ll need to make these DIY cleaning wipes
The recipe below is not necessarily antibacterial and germ fighting, rather primarily focused on cleaning surfaces.
- 1 glass jar
- 4 cups warm water
- 2 tbsp. castile soap
- 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil – or any other combo of oils you desire
- Reusable cloth wipes
Directions to make homemade cleaning wipes
- Add 1/2 your water to the glass container
- Add your soap
- Add 10 drops of each oil and mix well
- Cut your reusable wipes in half
- Roll each one up and put into your container standing up as seen in pics above
- Add the rest of your water
- Close the lid tightly and shake well
- Use, rinse, put back into container and reuse over and over again!
If you go ahead to make these diy cleaning wipes let us know what scent you added and if you did anything differently!
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Robin says
Because everyone is grabbing up supplies these days, I could only find 50% isopropyl alcohol. What do you think: will it work if I just reduce the amount of water that I add…or increase the amount of alcohol to the water amount?
The Typical Mom says
I know, it has been difficult lately for that. This is just an educated mom guess as to what I would do in that case of course: I might add a bit less water yes. Of course it is better than not having anything at all. I would check daily on Amazon too as items are stocked each day like I just found this one in stock. (affiliate lik) https://amzn.to/2UB1Xqo
Linden Peters says
The CDC has stated that to disinfect a surface, the solution has to be at least 60% alcohol. that means 2 cups alcohol to 1 cup water. Another pro tip: use washable microfiber cloths and stop buying the disposable stuff that is running out in stores.
melissa says
roughly how many wipes does it take to wipe down your kitchen? I typically go through 3-4 disposable ones just to get my kitchen done since they are drying out so fast.
Kae says
I have used this formula for years (without the scented oils, due to allergies.) I use old washcloths and then after I am through wiping everything down, I let the cloth dry and wash in washer with my towels. I use them to clean the bathroom, and wouldn’t want to put it back in the plastic tub I keep them in. I keep a tub of cloths in each bathroom. Best idea I have ever used.
Nikki says
Hi I’ve researched and have found white vinegar with a 5% acidity kills germs and can be used as an antibacterial, shop bought are usually around 4% so are not appropriate,I hope this helps
Linden Peters says
Vinegar is not as effective as alcohol, bleach, or peroxide. The CDC is recommending using a solution of 60% alcohol or higher.
Georgia Hadjicosta says
Hi,I love the ideafor disinfect wipes.I will definitely t
ry it. IAM GOING TO MAKE TO WAYS,1 WITH ALCOHOL AND 2 WITH CLORAX.also I will use lemon juice rather the essential oils. (Allergy),.I will sent comments. THANKS.
Georgia Hadjicosta says
I CAN WAIT TO TRY,them.AFTER WERE GOING THOUGH THE C9.Georgia.
Mary says
I want to ask a question about the first recipe listed above. It is called anti-bacterial but I do not see anything that will actually kill bacteria like alcohol. It lists vinegar and dish soap. Will this kill germs?
Deborah says
Can the soap be dish detergent?
Kae says
I use Dawn, so yes any liquid will work
Dave T says
I briefly had the same thought… but I guess wash them surely… otherwise the solution would eventually get dirty, along with the rest of the clothes.
Dave T says
error correction…
I briefly had the same thought… but I guess wash them surely… otherwise the solution would eventually get dirty, along with the rest of the cloths.
Kae says
I wash mine in the washer with my dish towels. I only use it once. I use it in the bathroom, so I wouldn’t want to use again.
T says
Just curious after use would you put them back in or wash them?
Kae says
Wash them. Especially if it picks up particles of food or if you use them in the bathroom.
Narred Lawrence says
Great useful post. I’m using natural bamboo disinfectant cleansing wipes from WOW Wipes which is 100% bamboo with a pleasant scent and eco-friendly too. Thanks for sharing a useful post.
Teri says
Tea tree oil can make your dog very sick. So be careful if you have a beloved fur baby
Micheke says
I had bred small chihuahua. Tea tree oil what I use for fleas. Still do. I never had one ever get sick from tea tree oil. But have from poison you get from the vets.