Making your own disinfectant wipes at home is an easy and affordable way to keep surfaces clean and germ-free. With just a few simple ingredients and materials, you can whip up a batch of DIY disinfecting wipes in no time.
Why Make Your Own Disinfectant Wipes?
There are several benefits to crafting your own disinfectant wipes rather than buying them:
- Cost Savings – Homemade wipes are significantly cheaper than store-bought wipes. You can make a whole batch yourself for just pennies per wipe.
- Customization – You can tweak the recipe to suit your needs and add essential oils for fragrance if desired. Store-bought wipes often contain harsh chemicals.
- Reduced Waste – Reusable cloth wipes cut down on waste compared to disposable wipes. You can compost or recycle the paper towels if using those.
- Effectiveness – The DIY wipes contain cleaning ingredients proven to kill germs and disinfect surfaces. Store-bought wipes may rely more on fragrance than cleaning power.
- Availability – Don’t depend on store shelves being stocked. Make your own supply at home without running out.
Supplies Needed
Making homemade disinfecting wipes only requires a few simple supplies:
Container
You’ll need a sealed container to store the wet wipes and keep them moist. Good options include:
- Reusable plastic containers or tubs with an airtight lid
- Mason jars
- Empty wipes canister (thoroughly cleaned)
The container should be cleaned and dried before use. Make sure whatever container you choose has enough room for the wipes to move freely while saturated in liquid.
Wipes
For the wipes themselves, you have a couple of options:
- Reusable cloth wipes – Cut up an old t-shirt, towel, or other absorbent fabric into squares.
- Paper towels or napkins
- Cotton rounds, gauze pads, or cotton balls
Choose a material that will hold liquid and be sturdy enough for cleaning and disinfecting. The wipes should also be lint-free to avoid leaving behind residue. Measure your container and cut the wipes to fit snugly inside.
Liquid
You’ll need to soak the wipes in a disinfecting solution. Good options include:
- Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol – This helps dissolve grease and kills germs fast. Use a 70% solution.
- Distilled white vinegar – Helpful for cutting grease and disinfecting. Works well mixed with the alcohol.
- Water – Dilutes and extends the other liquids. Use distilled or boiled and cooled water.
- Essential oils (optional) – For scent. Tea tree oil has disinfectant properties. Lavender is calming.
Additional Supplies
- Funnel – For pouring liquids into the storage container holding the wipes.
- Labels (optional) – To identify your homemade wipes.
- Marker for dating – Note when you made the batch.
Disinfectant Wipes Recipe
This simple recipe makes wipes that kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm water
- 1⁄4 cup bleach
- 1⁄4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
- 1 tablespoon liquid soap
- 20 drops essential oil (optional)
Directions:
- Mix all the liquid ingredients together in a bowl. Add the essential oil last if using.
- Place your cloth or paper wipes stacked inside the sealable container.
- Carefully pour the liquid mixture over the wipes, leaving room to seal the lid.
- Seal the container and shake gently to distribute the liquid evenly.
- Allow wipes to soak for at least 5 minutes before use.
- Dampen and wipe surfaces. Discard paper wipes after use. Re-dampen cloth wipes as needed.
- Store homemade wipes in the closed container to maintain moisture.
- Optional: Add a fresh batch of liquid solution monthly to replenish wipes.
Tips for Making Disinfectant Wipes
Follow these tips for best results with your homemade disinfecting wipes:
- Use glass, plastic, or ceramic containers. Avoid metal, as it can react with bleach or vinegar.
- Label container with ingredients and date mixed so you know when to replenish liquid.
- Shake container daily to redistribute liquid and prevent drying.
- If wipes become too saturated, squeeze out excess liquid before use.
- For cloth wipes, launder occasionally as you would dish towels. Air dry completely.
- For paper wipes, opt for recycled unbleached paper or bamboo towels to be eco-friendly.
- Don’t use wipes on skin. Rinse surfaces after disinfecting.
- Keep wipes out of reach of children and pets. Supervise use.
Disinfectant Liquids to Use
You can experiment with different disinfecting solutions depending on your needs:
Bleach Solution
- 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup regular bleach per 1 gallon of cool water
- Stronger for disinfecting heavily soiled surfaces
- Kills most household bacteria and viruses
- Good for kitchens, bathrooms, and general sanitizing
Rubbing Alcohol
- 2 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
- Fast germ killing power
- Helpful for hand sanitizing wipes
Vinegar Solution
- Equal parts water and white distilled vinegar
- Removes grease, soap scum, and grime
- Disinfects and deodorizes
Hydrogen Peroxide
- 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 part water
- Oxidizing properties kill germs without harsh chemicals
- Safe for most surfaces; may bleach fabrics
Soap Solution
- 1 tablespoon liquid castile or other soap to 1 cup water
- Extra cleaning power to cut grease and dirt
- Low odor good for everyday use
Storing Your Homemade Wipes
Follow these storage tips to keep wipes moist and maximize shelf life:
- Keep container sealed tight when not in use.
- Store wipes in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Don’t freeze wipes.
- For cloth wipes, hang to dry completely before reusing.
- For paper wipes, discard after use. Don’t try to re-wet.
- Write date on container when mixed a batch.
- Use wipes within 1-2 months for best results.
- Refrigerating wipes extends shelf life but isn’t required.
Proper storage keeps the wipes moist and potent for disinfecting. Damp wipes clean better than dry ones.
Disinfecting Different Surfaces
Homemade disinfectant wipes work on a variety of household surfaces:
Countertops
Wipe down kitchen counters before preparing food and after handling raw meat. Get into crevices and around the edges. Rinse with clean wipes afterward.
Tables and Desks
Disinfect tabletops in the kitchen or office where cross-contamination risks are high. Let surface air dry for a streak-free shine.
Appliances
Wipe exterior surfaces of appliances like microwaves, coffee makers, and blenders which can harbor germs in crevices. Avoid abrasives.
Doorknobs
Disinfect high-touch surfaces like door handles that are prone to spreading germs from hands. Let air dry.
Bathrooms
Wipe down sinks, faucets, showers, and toilets which are magnets for bacteria in the bathroom. Use wipes weekly.
Floors
Dampen wipes slightly to clean vinyl, tile, laminate, or sealed hardwood floors. Don’t use on unsealed wood.
Garbage Cans
Freshen smelly garbage cans by wiping down the interior and exterior surfaces with disinfecting wipes weekly.
Electronics
Gently wipe exterior surfaces of devices like phones, tablets, remotes and keyboards which accumulate everyday grime and germs. Avoid moisture in ports or buttons.
Toys
Keep kids’ bath toys, teethers, and hard plastic play items germ-free by periodically disinfecting with wipes. Rinse thoroughly.
Disinfecting vs. Sanitizing vs Cleaning
Disinfecting wipes are meant to kill nearly all germs when used properly. But what’s the difference between disinfecting, sanitizing, and cleaning?
Cleaning uses soap, water, and friction to remove dirt, grease, and many germs by mechanical action. Cleaning doesn’t necessarily kill microbes.
Sanitizing reduces bacteria counts to safer levels by using heat, chemical sanitizers, or processes like dishwasher cycles. Sanitizing kills 99.9% of targeted bacteria.
Disinfecting kills nearly 100% of germs when done correctly. Disinfectants like bleach solutions require extended contact with surfaces to fully disinfect.
Disinfecting wipes combine friction and scrubbing action to remove soil, plus chemical disinfectants that inactivate or kill germs remaining on surfaces after cleaning.
Developing an Effective Disinfecting Routine
Disinfecting wipes are just part of a smart disinfecting strategy. Follow these tips for an effective routine:
- Establish a regular disinfecting schedule for your home or business. Daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
- Wear gloves to disinfect and wash hands after. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
- Allow enough contact time for wipes to fully disinfect surfaces. Typically 3-5 minutes.
- Focus on frequently touched surfaces which are most likely to spread illness.
- Follow by cleaning dirty surfaces with soapy water to remove residue.
- Rinse certain surfaces like kitchen counters after disinfecting.
- Replace wipes when they appear soiled or start to dry out.
- Supplement wipes with other cleaning like vacuuming and laundering.
- Properly store and replace disinfectant solutions to maintain effectiveness.
Regular, thorough disinfecting ensures your family and environment are protected from illness-causing germs.
FAQs About DIY Disinfectant Wipes
How long do homemade disinfectant wipes last?
If properly stored, homemade disinfecting wipes may last 1-3 months. Rewet cloth wipes with fresh solution as they start to dry out for best results. Discard paper wipes after one use.
Can I use vodka instead of rubbing alcohol in wipes?
Vodka typically contains 40% alcohol, less than the 70% concentration in most rubbing alcohols. For best disinfecting power, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution.
What can I use if I don’t have rubbing alcohol?
You can substitute vodka, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or high-proof distilled spirits. Dilute to about 2 parts water to 1 part alcohol substitute. Vinegar also has disinfectant properties.
Should I rinse surfaces after using disinfectant wipes?
It depends on the surface. For kitchen counters and places food is prepared, rinse with plain water after wiping. Other hard surfaces like doorknobs can air dry. Don’t rinse electronics.
Can I use homemade wipes on my phone?
Yes, lightly wipe down the exterior surface of phones, tablets, and other electronics. Avoid getting moisture in ports, buttons, speakers, etc. Do not submerge devices in liquid.
How do I know if my DIY wipes are working?
Store-bought disinfectant wipes contain regulated concentrations of chemicals to ensure efficacy. For homemade wipes, look for proven disinfecting ingredients like alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, etc.
What’s the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting?
Sanitizing reduces germs to safe levels by killing 99.9% of bacteria. Disinfecting kills nearly 100% of germs when done properly. Wipes labeled “disinfectant” contain chemicals meant to disinfect.
Are bleach wipes safe for kids?
Exercise caution using bleach wipes around children. Supervise use, and keep wipes and containers out of reach when not in use. Bleach can irritate skin and eyes. Follow all safety precautions.
Conclusion
Making your own disinfectant wipes at home is easy, affordable, and effective at eliminating germs on household surfaces. With just a few basic supplies, you can whip up custom DIY wipes tailored to your cleaning needs.
Be sure to use proven disinfecting ingredients and properly store wipes to maintain potency. Establish a regular wiping routine targeting high-touch areas prone to germ transfer. Disinfecting wipes should be part of an overall cleaning strategy focused on killing illness-causing bacteria and preventing their spread.