Disinfecting wipes are a must have in every household. Did you know you can easily make homemade disinfecting wipes at home? Homemade Disinfecting Wipes only use a few ingredients that you most likely have in your pantry. This is a handy and inexpensive recipe that you will want to save for later! Since most store are sold out of hand sanitizer learn how to make your own here. Baby wipes are another thing that are currently hard to find, check out my homemade wet wipes here.
Homemade Disinfecting Wipes
I love to disinfect my home to clean and hopefully prevent sickness. I also love using these homemade wipes knowing the exact ingredients that are in them. These disinfecting wipes are the best cleaning wipes that you will ever use plus they shine and polish too. Also these wipes are safe for kids to help use too!
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Bleach Free Cleaning Wipes
These wipes do not include any bleach or Clorox, but they have all the cleaning power thanks to rubbing alcohol and Dawn Dish soap.
Do these antibacterial wipes contain vinegar or tea tree oil?
No these disinfecting wipes do not contain vinegar or tea tree oil. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent, but vinegar does not have the sanitizing and disinfecting powers of rubbing alcohol.
Can I use another dish soap?
Yes you can use your favorite dish soap that you might have on hand for this recipe. However, I found that Dawn Dish Soap is my favorite because it cuts scum, grease, and grime so well!
What essential oils can I use for these wipes?
I used lemon essential oil and I love the fresh smell. You could use your favorite essential oil.
- eucalyptus
- cinnamon
- rosemary
- peppermint
- bergamot
Other Homemade Cleaning and Life Hacks:
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- Homemade Decongestant Shower Tablets
- Homemade VapoRub
- Homemade Sunburn Cream
- Honey Lavender Shower Jellies
- 20 Budget Friendly Uses for Cat Litter
- Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Hacks
How to store these homemade disinfecting wipes?
There are many options to store these cleaning wipes. You can keep them in a glass jar, plastic container, or an old baby wipe container. I keep them in a glass jar on my counter for easy cleaning.
Supplies need to make these cleaning wipes:
- Distilled Water
- Rubbing Alcohol at 90% concentration – this is the best for disinfecting.
- Dawn Dish Soap – cuts the grease and slime every time.
- Lemon Essential Oil – for a fresh smell.
- Washcloths
- Storage Container
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How to Make Homemade Disinfecting Wipes:
First, decide how large you want your wipes. I cut most of my washcloths in half, but I left some full size for larger jobs.
Then fill your jar with the washcloths.
In a bowl, mix together water, rubbing alcohol, Dawn, and lemon essential oil.
Pour the cleaning mix into the jar over the washcloths.
Put the lid on and use as needed. After your rags are dirty, just throw in the washing machine and remake as necessary!
Homemade Disinfecting Wipes
When everyone is sick or you're in a deep cleaning mode you need cleaners that will get the job done. Make these Homemade Wipes! #diy #howto #frugalliving #homemadecleaners #myhomebasedlife | Homemade Cleaners | Homemade Wipes | Frugal Living | How to's
What You Need
- 2 cups Distilled Water
- 1 cup Rubbing Alcohol at least 90% concentration
- 2-3 tbsp Dawn
- 10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
- Washcloths
- Glass Jar with clip top lid
Directions
- First, decide how large you want your wipes. I cut most of my washcloths in half, but I left some full size for larger jobs.
- Fill your jar with the washcloths.
- In a bowl, mix together water, rubbing alcohol, Dawn, and lemon essential oil.
- Pour the cleaning mix into the jar over the washcloths.
- Put the lid on and use as needed. After your rags are dirty, just throw in the washing machine and remake as necessary!
Important note: I am just sharing what has worked for me in my home. These disinfectant wipes have not been lab-tested. It is important to always use good judgement and to practice good cleaning and hygiene.
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Jane says
very helpful tutorial thanks! can I ask where do you get your rubbing alcohol? I used to buy mine on amazon but there has been some controversy lately over as to whether or not the stuff on there is genuine alcohol or diluted. I live in the UK but don’t mind paying shipping if its not too expensive.
S. Eakins says
Can you omit the lemon essential oil?
Marilyn says
Just made the homemade disinfecting wipes, can’t find the recipe for the wipes that contain bleach
Hazel Grippando says
Thank you for this recipe. It will be very useful for me especially with all the disinfectants and everything else flying off the shelves due to the news about Corna Virus. Plus this is something that I can keep making and not spending money on the other store items. This is something that people that are on a limited budget can use and not worry about not affording to buy the stuff from the stores. Again thank you for this recipe.
Carol DeCelle says
thanks for the tip
Nancy Larkins says
Why do we need to use distilled water vs tap water?
JudyP says
One good suggestion would be to use your sewing machine and zigzag the edges when you cut the wash cloths to prevent them raveling to pieces. I like to use Bounty paper towels, the ones that have the dish liquid already in them. They are very sturdy, I’ve even washed dishes with one.
DonnaG says
I used paper towels. Cut the roll in half. (A serrated knife worked best.) Put one of the cut halves down in your container, pour the solution over the top and let it sit for a few minutes. The cardboard core with remove with little effort. Start pulling from the center like clorox wipes. Thanks for your recipe.
Charlene Nagel says
I like Viva paper towels. They feel more like cloth and hold up well.
Elaine Harris says
Why are these called Clorox wipes? There is no bleach on the mix
These are alcohol wipes. Not bleach wipes. There is a difference.
Jessie says
If you look at the ingredients for Clorox Wipes most actually don’t include bleach.
Coral says
I tried this recipe yesterday… really good EXCEPT there is WAY too much soap in it. Six tablespoons of Dawn??!! I spent more time rinsing than cleaning. I would cut the amount of dish soap back to a tablespoon! Otherwise, a great idea!
Silvia Mojarro says
Can I replace the Dawn soap with another type of soap?
LB says
Yes!
Ana says
❤️❤️❤️
Gwen says
Can you use any kind of water or does it have to be distilled water to make the Homemade Disinfectant Wipes?
Gwen says
Instead of using distilled water can I use regular water to make the Clorox Disinfectant Wipes?
LB says
Yes!
Robin says
Why distilled water as opposed to tap water or purified water?
Laura hardesty says
Wow..thanks for the tip this will come in handy first sure because I have 6 kids and a husand ☺
nancy linn says
Don’t pick apart a good idea, if it sanitizes, what do you care ‘what’ it’s called ???? Restaurants , schools etc. use a bucket of water, a couple TBS bleach ( no soap)….and it is a totally effective sanitizes for everything..
Venus says
Does it have to be lemon essential oil or can you choose another scent?
Karin Sarantakis says
I don’t have distilled water. Can I use regular tap water?
Sherry Marcotrigiano says
Thanks for the tips I will be making these today.
Midwest Cleaner says
Does it have to be distilled water? Can we use filtered water instead? Thanks very much.
Marla Talbot says
Glad I have this Recipe, for if I ever need it
Kerri says
Thank you. Just made them. ??
Michelle says
I went to the dollar store and got compressed towels, 50 for a buck
Linda Sanford says
What if I don’t have lemon essential oils? Can I replace it with something else?
Carol says
Can you use regular tap/city water? And, is the essential oil necessary? TIA
Claude Shull says
Just FYI CLOROX Disinfectant wipes do not contain bleach, a lot of people do not know that however just wanted to throw that in for all!
Cathy Michell says
Why does it need to be distilled water? Could filtered or bottled water be used instead?
LB says
Yes, that would work!
Renee Goodman says
Use the tshirt rag bag from the paint dept. Instead.
Adam says
Good for enough for general cleaning, but when you mix the alcohol with that much water, it is diluted to the point that it is not effective as an anti bacterial or viral agent. That’s the reason they’ve been saying 70% or higher for hand sanitizers.
Sarah says
Does it have to be Dawn soap? I have some Palmolive antibacterial dish soap. Would that work?
MARGARET Smith says
Can you use use a plastic container that creamer came out of beside glass
Suzy G says
Just in the nick of time thank you for posting. I have an 81-year-old grandma I am taking care of and 5 kids as well as my husband and mom to take care of and I just ran out of disinfectant wipes
Julie says
Can you use tap water?
Viki Sumrall says
what can I use to substitute the rubbing alcohol? Can’t get it anywhere right now.
Colleen says
Just made these today and tried out on my very sketchy produce drawer. They worked beautifully! I used cotton baby wipes (new), so prep time was basically zero. Thanks for the recipe!
Shannon says
Do you HAVE to use distilled water? What is the difference if I use just tap water?
Rhonda says
Can you use regular tap water instead of distilled?
Kenlynn says
I am excited to make these hand sanitizers!
Georgia Hadjicosta says
Hi,I have making and use them for 3months.I use fresh lemon juice, but Dawn has a refreshing scent. I save alot of$$$$,and I will continue save, with my homemade wipes.Thank you!!
Denise says
Could you use paper towels?
LB says
Yes, but they will not be as effective.