You won't believe how easy it is to make your own all-purpose cleaning wipes. These all-natural wipes are made with just 4 natural ingredients to create wipes that clean hard surfaces-- keeping your house clean.
Instead of using harsh chemicals, I put these all-purpose wipes to use around my house. They clean hard non-porous surfaces with just a simple wipe down.
Please note: Despite the URL, these wipes are NOT effective disinfectant wipes. According to research and studies, rubbing alcohol can be used as a hard surface disinfectant. While not as powerful as hospital-grade cleaners, it is said to be effective at germs. But that is using rubbing alcohol alone, not diluting with water, as this method for making wipes do.
I am known to be a bit of a clean freak--like constantly wiping down my house.
And while there are a lot of really great all-purpose wipes out there, I prefer to use as many natural products in my house when possible.
My favorite all-purpose wipe is made with paper towels, liquid soap, and rubbing alcohol.
All Natural Homemade Wipes for Cleaning
Why I do love my homemade cleaning wipes?
- SIMPLE to make
- Free from harsh chemicals
- Frugal, as these homemade disposal wipes are cheaper to make than any wipe you can buy.
How to Make All Purpose WIPES
- Mix together 2 cups warm water, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, 1 cup rubbing alcohol together--you must use at least 70% rubbing alcohol (90% is better)
- Place paper towels in a container that just fits them. I use a large glass cylinder container that was made to store food, but you could tear off the paper towels and place them in a large rectangular container. You just want the container to not leave much space around the paper towels, so they absorb the liquid.
- Pour liquid over paper towels.
- Now the cardboard tube is easy to pull out.
- And you can easily pull paper towels out one at a time!
A Few Notes on these Homemade Wipes:
- These are NOT meant to replace disinfecting products. I can not speak to the effectiveness of these wipes against any bacterias, viruses, or spores. I just use them as one method to help keep my house clean.
- If you can't find a large glass container to hold a whole roll of paper towels, tear the roll into individual sheets and roll up lengthwise and place in a 2 quart glass ball jar or lay flat in plastic container. You can even rinse out an old Clorox wipes container or baby wipes container to use.
- I love to add in essential oils to give these wipes a natural scent. You can add in 10 drops of any essential oil you like. I personally prefer lemon, for a fresh scent.
- Do not use these wipes on human skin or as baby wipes.
- If you omit the dish soap, these wipes are safe to use on granite counter tops, as alcohol is safe on granite according to Granite Gold. You can still use them with the soap on granite, but would need to rinse off and buff dry, as the soap can leave a residue on the granite over time.
Directions For Homemade All Purpose Wipes
Click on Image for Printable PDF for natural wipe directions.
I can not guarantee the effectiveness of these wipes against germs.
Karen Parker
While I see that this post is about 6 or more years old, I am curious if you have found over time that this is still the best solution for disinfecting your hard surfaces? I only ask because of the hysteria surrounding this virus we are now facing here in the US. The grocery stores are selling out of all of this type of ready-made item such as disinfecting wipes, bleach, Lysol, etc so more people are going to be looking for alternate solutions such as this. I know you are in no way, shape or form promising anyone that these wipes will kill or protect them from virus germs in particular but I'm just wondering if you have found or would recommend anything any different or stronger or easier to access supplies for in the time since you originally posted this tip? Thanks so much!!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Karen! I have no knowledge of how this protects against this virus or what would kill that, nor do I make any claims about these killing any germs. You can read the CDC guidelines regarding killing germs.
Jane
Karen, this does NOT protect against germs/viruses. Hand sanitizers are required to contain 70% alcohol by volume. This recipe contains only 1/3 of the total volume for alcohol. That means even if you used 100% alcohol (which would be highly flammable and evaporate too quickly to sanitize your hands), the total volume in this recipe would be only 33% alcohol.
Kristen Chidsey
Exactly true Jane.
Alisha
Hi there
I can't seem to find a sealed container I can fit a roll of paper towels, so you have a link or brand of the one you are using?
Thanks in advance either way 😊
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Alisha! One thing that will work if you can't find a container to fit the entire roll, tear off a dozen paper towels, cut them in half, and stack them, then roll them up and in place in 2 cup or pint canning jar--should be a perfect fit. I purchased my container at target, but it is no longer available 🙁
Amy
Can I double the recipe and use an old Clorox Wipes container? I can’t wait to try this since I am a germaphobe.
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely! Just rinse out your clorox wipes container well before 🙂
Amy
Thanks so much!!! All I need to get is my rubbing alcohol, and I am set!!! Love the idea of making my own. Gets expensive buying Clorox Wipes!!!
rebecca
Alcohol in a spray bottle is all you need to disinfect and it cleans grease and other stuff in my kitchen and bathroom. I have a terrible allergy to artificial fragrance and strong chemicals, and keep the alcohol spray bottle and one with peroxide in my kitchen and bathroom, along with paper or cloth towels. you can also easily use them to spray doorknobs, light switches, and anything else touched by someone with a cold or other contagious illness. I've never been much for wipes- I think they have limited uses for what gets thrown away. For heavier cleaning, soap and baking soda, followed by one of the sprays, or vinegar and salt or baking soda. Voila!
Narred Lawrence
Awesome post to clean our home. As I was addicted to using disinfectant wipes for whatever cause that’s to wipe. Here I got more valuable tips to follow to keep our home clean and hygiene. Thanks for your writing.
Kristen Chidsey
Happy these tips helps!
Susan
i hope to try these for my senior project in order to see if these are effective thank you for sharing such a lovely recipe
Kristen Chidsey
Let me know your results 🙂
Amie
Do I need to rinse after swiping with these or just air dry?
Ty
Kristen Chidsey
Let it air dry for sure!
Amie
Ty for your quick reply. I will have to try this out. Looks great!
Kristen Chidsey
you bet!!
Cathy
I am loving this idea, I love all natural cleaners!
Cathy
Kristen Chidsey
Certaintly the way to go!
Jade @ Jonesin' For Taste
I need to file this one away for the next time I run out of wipes. And so important this time of year!
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, you do--it is so great to have on hand at all times!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen
This is so awesome and so useful! I'm always running out of these, and they are expensive, too! I can't wait to try this out!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you give it a try soon Ashlyn--you will be amazed!
Analida's Ethnic Spoon
Fantastic idea! I am pinning for later!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Analida!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
I seem to always run out of disinfectant wipes, great idea to make your own. I do keep all the ingredients to make them on hand, so I will have to give this a try, thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you do try it Joy!
Faye Wilkerson
Simple solutions are sometimes the best. Will be making these.
Kristen Chidsey
Simple is often best indeed.
KC the Kitchen Chopper
Who knew these would be so easy to make at home. Thanks so much!
Kristen Chidsey
You bet!
Denise Wright
I love this idea! I will be sure to try this as I like that it's all natural and so easy to do.
Kristen Chidsey
Super easy! I hope you do it!
Caroline | carolinescooking
I sometimes wonder how we have tended to move away from natural cleaning like this when it works so well and is better for everyone. Great tips!
Kristen Chidsey
I totally agree Caroline! I hope you try these out and love them!