In this time of coronavirus pandemic, you may be forced to make your own cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting solution. I researched a few different “recipes” for making bleach wipes that will work specifically to kill viruses (coronavirus included).
Clorox disinfecting wipes are a must-have in every household. Did you know you can easily make homemade disinfecting wipes at home? Homemade Clorox Disinfecting Wipes only use a few ingredients that you most likely have at home. This is a handy and inexpensive recipe that you will want to save for later! Since most stores are sold out of Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer learn how to make your own here. I’ve been a busy little Bee 🐝 doing just that and posting for all of you to learn too. Trust me, If I can do it, you can do it!
All you need to get started is quality paper towels and at this point whatever I can get my hands on now but they need to strong, sturdy paper towels and have a soft and smooth texture, like a cloth. So, you need a roll of quality paper towels, a serrated knife, an airtight container, and the ingredients necessary for your cleaning solution. I’m giving you two recipes one with bleach, and one without bleach.
Whichever recipe you choose to make you start by using a serrated knife to cut your paper towel roll in half. It sounds harder than it is. Just start sawing and eventually you will hack through it! Which paper towels are important so try your best to get nice and thick and it still only took me a minute to cut through it.
Next you put half of the paper towel roll in your airtight container. I use an empty cleaning wipes container that I had leftover. I just peeled off the label and shoved my paper towels in. It took some squishing but once I got them in there it was good fit! If you want to use an old store-bought cleaning wipe container but your paper towel roll is too big you can peel a few layers of paper towels off, or just wait until your paper towel roll has been partially used then cut it up.
With your paper towels ready it’s time to mix up your cleaning solution. Each formula has slightly different ingredients but the steps are the same. Pour your ingredients into a bowl, or in my case a measuring cup, give them a little stir and you’re done. Pour the mixture over your paper towels making sure to move around as you pour so every bit of your paper towels get saturated.
Once you have poured in all your liquid let it sit for a couple of minutes then reach in and pull the cardboard tube out of the center. I’ll admit I didn’t really think this was going to work, it looked way too easy, but it did! That cardboard was soaked and it just pulled right out. Now you can grab a paper towel from the center and pull up so it feeds from the middle.
If you used an old store-bought cleaning wipes container then it is already set up to let you pull one towel at a time. Just feed the paper towel you pulled from the middle of the roll through the hole in the lid. If you used another container just put a hole in the top so you can pull the paper towels through, or, don’t put a hole in the top and just open up your container to get your paper towels. It works either way.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE DIY BLEACH WIPES:
- Container to hold your wipes
- 2-3 Tbsp Bleach, any brand will work. Here’s what Clorox says it can kill from your surfaces!
- Roll of Paper Towels, cut in half…use the best ones you can find OR you can use reusable cloths.
- Essential Oils, optional to cut the smell
- 1-2 Cups of Water
You will want to keep a few things in mind for making the best homemade wipes. Don’t overdo it on the water. I made a batch that was too wet and they just fall apart. Start with 1 cup of water and let them sit for a while. If they really need more you can add it!
You have two paper towel roll halves so go ahead and mix up another formula or save the other half for when you need to make refills. There is something about making your own cleaner that inspires you to dive right in and start tackling the biggest messes.
Here is a non-bleach formula, as well:
Cleaning Wipes (non bleach)
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
- 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)
Directions (same for all formulas): Mix ingredients together and pour over paper towels.
I love to disinfect my home to clean and hopefully prevent sickness. I also love using these homemade Clorox 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!
What essential oils can I use for these wipes?
I used eucalyptus essential oil and I love the fresh smell. You could use your favorite essential oil.
- lemon
- cinnamon
- rosemary
- peppermint
- orange
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 my old wipes container but whatever you have on hand is fine.
Stay Healthy and Safe!
