DIY Hack: Here’s How to Make Disinfectant Wipes at Home

If you’re concerned about the strong chemicals in store-bought cleaners and disinfectants, you should consider making your own disinfectant wipes. It’s a lot easier than you think and homemade disinfectant wipes provide a wide range of benefits:

• You have total control over the ingredients 

• DIY disinfectant wipes use less-toxic ingredients 

• Offers an eco-friendlier option for cleaning your home 

• Helps you save money on cleaning products in the long run 

• Provides a quick, helpful hack when you run out of store-bought disinfectant wipes

Whether you’re looking for a greener option or you want to save money on your household budget, read on to learn how to make your own disinfectant wipes at home!

Making Disinfectant Wipes: What You’ll Need

Before you begin, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need. The key ingredients for homemade disinfectant wipes are: 

• Paper towels or reusable cloths 

• Hot water 

• An air-tight container or jar 

• Homemade disinfectant cleaning solution

How to Make Your Own Disinfectant Solution

When making a cleaning solution for disinfectant wipes, it’s important to understand which ingredients you can use to disinfect safely and effectively. We’ve listed the top options below, so you can determine which solution best suits your needs and household.

Bleach

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant, but care needs to be taken when using it to make homemade disinfectant wipes. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner as it can cause a dangerous chemical reaction. Always wear rubber gloves when handling bleach as it is an irritant. If you already have bleach at home, check the expiration date first as it degrades after about six months.

 To create a DIY cleaning solution with bleach, mix four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Let the solution sit for at least one minute to ensure it effectively disinfects. Bleach solutions are only effective for 24 hours, so this solution needs to be used immediately and is not intended for long-term use.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or more is a very effective alternative to store-bought, chemical disinfectants.

For a DIY cleaning solution, combine two parts rubbing alcohol with one part water. Be sure to let it sit on surfaces for at least 30 seconds before wiping clean. Alcohol-based cleaning solutions need to be kept in a cool dark place so the alcohol doesn’t evaporate.

Hydrogen Peroxide

The CDC has found that hydrogen peroxide is effective at killing some forms of bacteria. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide for your cleaning solution and mix two-and-a-half parts water with a half-part of hydrogen peroxide. Be sure to let the solution sit on surfaces for at least one minute before wiping clean. Keep it in a dark, air-tight container to ensure the solution stays stable and effective.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant. While vinegar may not be as effective as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, the acetic acid in vinegar can help reduce bacteria on surfaces. To create a cleaning solution, mix white distilled vinegar with equal parts water. When cleaning, let it sit on surfaces for about 30 minutes to effectively kill germs.

How to Make Your Own Disinfectant Wipes

Now that you’ve made your own cleaning solution, you’re ready to create your DIY disinfectant wipes. Here’s how:

1. Pour your homemade cleaning solution of choice into an airtight container or jar, leaving a bit of room at the top 

2. Add your paper towels or cloths and submerge them completely in the cleaning solution 

3. Let the wipes soak for at least 5 minutes before using 

4. When finished, secure the lid and store in a cool, dark place

Cleaning Tips: How to Clean and Disinfect Surfaces Properly

After making your homemade disinfectant wipes, it’s important to use proper cleaning methods to ensure surfaces are thoroughly disinfected. Here are some CDC-approved points on the proper way to clean surfaces: 

• Wear disposable or reusable rubber gloves designated only for cleaning and disinfecting 

• Clean surfaces with soap and water first before using your DIY disinfectant wipes 

• Let the cleaning solution sit for the correct amount of time to ensure it effectively removes germs and bacteria 

• Wash your hands after cleaning

Safety Considerations

Creating your own disinfectant cleaning solution may seem easy, but it’s important to ensure it’s done safely. Here’s a list of safety considerations to always keep in mind when making homemade disinfectant wipes:

• Always create your solution in a well-ventilated area, especially when working with bleach 

• Wear rubber gloves and goggles when making your cleaning solution 

• Use your homemade disinfectant wipes only on non-porous surfaces like glass, metal or varnished wood 

• Clearly label your cleaning solution 

• Never mix products and chemicals as you could cause a dangerous chemical reaction 

• Keep out of reach from children and pets

Making your own disinfectant wipes is a greener and cheaper option than buying them, and also offers a fun home project for you to take on. Whether you’re inspired to create your own homemade disinfectant wipes or not, take a look at all of our cleaning supplies to help keep your home clean and spotless.