These DIY disinfecting wipes make it easy to keep your home clean without chemicals. They’re easy to make, natural, and reusable — just wash and re-use! Our homemade cleaning wipes are made without vinegar, so they’re safe for use even on porous surfaces like marble & granite. Read on to learn how to make your own DIY disinfecting wipes with essential oils.
While store-bought disinfecting wipes may be handy for quick cleanups, they’re definitely not eco-friendly or good for your respiratory health. It’s actually much safer to make DIY disinfecting wipes at home using non-toxic ingredients such as vodka, castile soap and antibacterial essential oils.
Numerous studies have shown that common household cleaning products, including store-brand sanitizing wipes, can actually induce asthma or other respiratory problems in otherwise healthy individuals. Additionally, the fumes from many store bought cleaning products can trigger an attack in those already suffering from a respiratory condition.
Undisclosed ingredients in commercial disinfecting wipes
To add to the confusion, manufacturers are allowed to keep consumers in the dark about exactly what’s in their cleaning products. Unfortunately, current guidelines do not require that ingredient information be disclosed on the product’s label.
Recently, more and more cleaning product companies have begun to provide some ingredient information on their company websites. However, often these lists are not specific.
The Environmental Working Group site is a go-to for the ingredient lists manufacturers are allowed to leave off their labels. The EWG also provides consumers additional info — such as the side effects and potential toxicity of each ingredient.
Here is a handy list of many popular commercial wipe brands and their ingredients.
Anyway, if reading about the toxic chemicals in cleaning products comes across as fear-mongering, or if you’re thinking, “but how are these homemade wipes going to disinfect my counters?” Well, studies have shown that many essential oils have antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral benefits.
Top antibacterial essential oils for homemade cleaning wipes
The following essential oils (in no particular order) fight bacteria and household odours without any of the negative side effects of store bought household cleaners. You can substitute the essential oils in the recipe below for any other combination of antibacterial essential oils from this list:
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Tea Tree Oil
- Grapefruit
- Palmarosa
- Cinnamon
- Rosemary
- Bergamot
- Orange
- Clove
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Basil
- Lavender
- Peppermint
Surprisingly, numerous studies have shown that cinnamon is actually the best performing antibacterial essential oil.
Ingredients for DIY disinfecting wipes
I always use vodka in my homemade disinfecting wipes which is a more natural disinfectant. Vodka also acts as a non-toxic preservative which prevents the growth of mold and pathogens.
I do not recommend substituting vodka for isopropyl alcohol (or rubbing alcohol). Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable, easily absorbed through the skin, and its fumes can cause dizziness and headaches. Also, isopropyl or rubbing alcohol is highly toxic if consumed, while vodka (or ethyl alcohol) is safe for human consumption.
Not that you will be drinking your wipe mixture, but if you’re going to wipe down surfaces where little mouths will be, it’s safer to use vodka.
I’ve recently seen DIY wipes recipes containing both vinegar and castile soap, but mixing vinegar with castile soap will cause your mixture to curdle. As well, the acidic vinegar and alkaline soap will neutralize one another, rendering their cleaning abilities useless.
Additionally, vinegar is not safe for stone countertops. If you have stone countertops, be wary of any DIY cleaning wipes recipes that contain vinegar. That said, vinegar is still a great natural cleaner and it’s safe for other household surfaces.
Save money on cleaning wipes with reusable cloths
You can also save money by making these DIY disinfecting wipes, as the t-shirt squares (or cloths) used in this recipe can be washed and then reused in a subsequent batch. This also means that these wipes are compatible with an eco-friendly, low-waste lifestyle.
If you don’t have any old t-shirts on hand or if you would prefer a thicker cloth, there are also many varieties of reusable cloths available depending on your preference. Heavy-duty microfibre cloths, cotton wipes and biodegradable bamboo cloths are just some of the choices.
DIY Disinfecting Wipes (Natural & Reusable)
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup high proof vodka
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 2 1/2 - 3 tablespoons castile soap
- 20 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Supplies
- Mason jar with lid or a sterilized pickle jar
- Old white t-shirt cut into squares (or microfibre or other inexpensive cotton cloths)
- Waterproof adhesive label
Instructions
- Pour the vodka into your sterilized mason jar.
- Add the essential oils which will combine easily with the alcohol. Shake vigorously. Next, add the distilled water and shake again.
- Add your soap and then gently swirl it into the mixture. Please note, shaking will cause the castile soap to sud.
- Roll your cloths as shown in the photo and place them in the mason jar.
- Replace the lid and again swirl gently so the cloths become soaked with the liquid.
- Store your sanitizing wipes with the lid tightly secured in a cool, dark place such as under the kitchen or bathroom sink.
Notes
We do not recommend storing products with high concentrations of essential oils in plastic bottles or containers. We use glass storage containers for all of our DIY products with essential oils, as essential oils are extremely potent and can leach toxins from plastic containers.
Please consult with your health care provider about using essential oils, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have allergies, or have small children in your home. Certain essential oils such as rosemary, clove and eucalyptus are contradicted for use during pregnancy. As well, certain essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, oregano and eucalyptus should be avoided, or used with caution around children under 10.
You can keep these wipes in your bathroom or kitchen cupboard for quick cleanups of household surfaces prone to germs.
If convenience is a plus for you, these DIY disinfecting wipes can be used on the go, and you can trust them to be free of harsh antibacterial agents like triclosan. These wipes are also safe enough to be used on hands, but be sure to use essential oils that are safer for skin such as peppermint, lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus, and don’t touch your face or eyes after use.
More DIY cleaning recipes
Looking for more eco-friendly cleaning and home ideas? Check these out:
- DIY Rose Petal-Infused Vodka Cleaning Spray
- Refreshing Cola Diffuser Recipe
- DIY Lavender Lemon Glass Cleaner without Rubbing Alcohol
- DIY Vodka Room Sprays with Essential Oils
For even more natural cleaning ideas, follow us on Pinterest! You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Silly question…but could you use gin instead of vodka?
That’s a good question! I’ve never substituted gin in any of my cleaning recipes but gin is supposed to be good for cleaning as well. I’ve read it’s especially good for mirrors and windows. Anyway, I think as long as you use high proof gin, it should work. Hope that helps!
Love the reusable DIY wipes! The disinfecting wipes my kids’ school uses makes my skin crawl, so many unhealthy chemicals and so much waste.
Hello:
Love this recipe and can’t wait to try it. I am wondering why you use three kinds of essential oils. Would the wipes still be effective if only one kind of essential oil was used?
Thank you!!
Yes, we think the wipes would still be effective with one essential oil. We would recommend using one from the list of the best antibacterial oils included in this post (or the oils from the recipe). Studies appear to indicate that tea tree and cinnamon perform the best as antibacterial agents which is why we often include one when making cleaning products. But the scent of tea tree tends to be overpowering alone so we usually blend it with another oil. However, again any of the oils from the list in this post (or the recipe) should do the job as long as your mixture includes high proof vodka. Thanks for reading and commenting!
How should a wipe be handled after it is used? After using it, you just throw it in with the laundry, wash it then roll it and place it back in the jar with the other wipes? Or should I wait until all the wipes are used, then wash them and start a new batch? Inquiring minds want to know.
Hi there, we don’t recommend putting a used wipe in with the clean wipes. Use a separate container with a lid to store the used wipes until laundry day. Then give them a quick rinse in the sink before washing them in hot water. We usually wait until all our wipes are used and then we wash them before making a fresh batch. Thanks for your question!
Stupid ? Is any oil toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, some essential oils are definitely toxic to pets. I’d do a quick google search. We don’t have pets so we don’t know the full list off hand. Good luck!