In our quest for a clean home, we often desire more than just tidiness; we seek to safeguard our health. While cleaning removes dirt and grime, disinfecting is essential for killing germs and microbes. Although Clorox wipes are popular choices for disinfection, they can be pricey and hard to find, especially during times of heightened demand. Fortunately, making your own disinfectant wipes at home is incredibly simple and budget-friendly!
While many recipes suggest using bleach or hydrogen peroxide, we recommend a straightforward method that utilizes rubbing alcohol. Storing hydrogen peroxide can be tricky due to its sensitivity to light, and bleach has the potential to stain surfaces—not to mention its strong odor. You might think that a wipe without bleach wouldn’t be as effective as Clorox or Lysol wipes, but here’s a surprising fact: both Clorox and Lysol wipes are actually bleach-free.
Another advantage of crafting your own disinfectant wipes is knowing the ingredients you’re using. Plus, you can employ these wipes on various surfaces around your home, such as door handles, light switches, computer keyboards, and kitchen counters. The combination of Dawn dish soap and rubbing alcohol creates a powerful formula that even polishes metal fixtures!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup rubbing alcohol (70-91%)
- 1 teaspoon Dawn dish soap
- 1 roll of paper towels (the kind that can be cut in half) or thin rags
- 2-5 drops of tea tree oil (optional)
You have the option to use either paper or cloth towels, and you may adjust the quantities based on how absorbent your towels are.
Instructions:
- Prepare Paper Towels: If using paper towels, carefully cut the roll in half with a serrated knife. For cloth rags, cut into squares of your desired size.
- Container: Place the paper towel roll in an empty baby wipes container, a plastic box, or any sealed storage. You can also use a jar or a repurposed coffee can.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl or measuring cup, combine the water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap. Add tea tree oil if desired.
- Soak the Towels: Pour the mixture around the edges of the paper towel roll, allowing it to soak in without over-saturating.
- Storage: Remove the cardboard roll to make it easy to pull wipes from the center. Store in a lidded container. If you’re using cloth rags, wash them after each use.
Helpful Tips:
- Always pre-clean surfaces before applying a disinfectant wipe. Allow the surface to air dry after using the wipe.
- Use room temperature water for the mixture. While 70% alcohol is effective, avoid using 99% as it evaporates too quickly for proper disinfection.
- If wipes dry out, simply add more rubbing alcohol. Feel free to switch essential oils for variety; lemon essential oil is a great choice for mimicking Clorox wipes.
- For travel, cut the roll into thirds and take a smaller container with you on road trips!
While you might encounter recipes that suggest vinegar as a cleaner, it’s less effective for disinfecting when compared to rubbing alcohol. And remember, never mix your DIY wipes with bleach.
Now that you know how to make your own disinfectant wipes, you can explore further ways to maximize your cleaning budget with our other blog post here.
Related Queries:
- How to make homemade disinfectant wipes
- Best disinfectant wipe alternatives
- DIY disinfectant solutions
- How to disinfect surfaces effectively
- Cleaning tips for busy parents
In summary, creating your own disinfectant wipes is a straightforward process that not only saves you money but also gives you control over the ingredients used. These wipes are perfect for tackling germs on various surfaces in your home while being easy to make and store. For more insights on home and family health, check out this valuable resource.