Confession: Yes, I was one of those people that had a recurring bulk order of sanitizing wipes. I used those things everywhere because they were so handy to just pull out and wipe everything down. Now I’ve replaced those store bought wipes with this easy version of homemade DIY Kitchen Cleaning Wipes.
Here’s why I started making my own:
- I was inspired by a recipe in Essential Oils for a Clean and Healthy Home. It’s loaded with amazing household uses for essential oils.
- The price is right and I love the way they leave my kitchen sparkling clean for pennies!
- I don’t run out because I make my own at home. No more forgetting to order or having to run to the store.
- The ingredients are non-toxic.
- I’m not spending money on items I can easily make myself in 2 minutes.
- They smell AMAZING!
And please don’t think this is one of those messy tutorials where we cut an entire roll of paper towels in half. That is such a cool idea in the blogosphere, but the reality was not great for me. Here’s why I skip that step now:
- Cutting through paper towel rolls leaves yucky, jagged edges. (Admittedly, not really a huge deal.)
- Cutting through cardboard paper towel rolls is harder than it sounds. Yes, we have a hand saw, but doesn’t that seem a little intense for a kitchen wipes tutorial?!
- The tube never came out that easily and always broke into chunks.
- The best reason: Using dinner napkins gives a sturdier wipe for messy jobs. The type of napkins I prefer are 2 or 3-ply, stronger, and longer-lasting than jagged-edged, cut-up, single-ply paper towels. (Chinet or Vanity Fair make some great thick dinner napkins.)
The key to this powerful, little cleaning wipe is the cleaning combination of vinegar and a tiny 1/2 teaspoon of Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner from Dr. Bronner’s. Everyone knows that vinegar cleans and deodorizes. Then the Sal Suds takes this wipe to the next level of powerful. Sal Suds is man-made with plant-based surfactants without any synthetic dyes, fragrances, or preservatives. We love Sal Suds in these other popular household recipes:
- Homemade Liquid Dish Soap
- Liquid Laundry Detergent
- No-Scrub Daily Shower Cleaner
- Tile Floor Cleaner Mop Solution
If you’d prefer a 100% natural alternative to the man-made power of Sal Suds, you can use Dr. Bronner’s Organic Unscented Castile Soap. It’s very gentle on skin and offers natural cleaning properties.
We also didn’t really want these kitchen wipes to smell flowery, so we added some great essential oils that gives your kitchen a great crisp, clean, cozy smell.
New to essential oils? Learn more about how we use them and why you should use them as well.
DIY Kitchen Cleaning Wipes
Yield – 20 sheets
Preparation Time – 2 minutes
Cooking Time – 0 minutes
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar*
- 1/2 teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner
- 10 drops Lemon essential oil
- 10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 10 drops Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil
- 20 – 2 or 3-ply paper napkins (like these dinner napkins)
- Glass canister with lid
Directions
- Combine all ingredients, except the napkins, in the canister. Stir to combine.
- Add the paper napkins.
- Replace the lid and swirl to soak the napkins.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
- To use: Pull out one wipe at a time and replace the lid. Wipe counters clean and throw away.
These wipes should last about 3-4 weeks when stored as directed above.
*Granite Counter Tops: Omit the vinegar if you have granite counter tops as vinegar is not recommended. You can substitute isopropyl alcohol instead or add more water.
Note: you can always substitute washable cloths in this recipe that can be used, washed, and reused!
More essential oil recipes for the Kitchen:
- Dishwasher Detergent Tabs
- Dishwasher Powder Detergent
- DIY All-Natural Cleaning Spray
- Liquid Dish Soap
- Oven Cleaner
See all of our Recipes with Essential Oils here!
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*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website.
can you use Eucalyptus Globus instead?
Yes, you sure can! 🙂
Another option is to use the Thieves cleaner.
What are you saying to use Thieves cleaner in place of? The vinegar? or the essential oils? or what? thank you
I think Dawn was saying to use Thieves cleaner mixed with water as the solution for the wipes.
I have the premium starter kit and don’t have eucalyptus, but I do have RC which appears to be just a eucalyptus blend. Any reason I couldn’t use that along with the lemon and tea tree? Thanks!
You could absolutely use RC with lemon and tea tree. 🙂
I use 1 capful of Young Livings Thieves Cleaner diluted with distilled water and coffee filters. It works great
How much water and coffee filters with the cappful of thieves cleaner?
Coffee filters in place of paper towels is a great idea!!
So smart!
I prefer to use parent choice sensitive cotton baby wipes. I would pour the ingredients into the baby wipe container let it soak in. Then just pull out the wipes as needed. They stay fresh and moist in the baby wipes package.
my concern is this still adds to the land fill.
You could always place cut up t-shirts in the container and use as needed. Wash, repeat! 🙂
What size container did you use and does it need to be glass?
Hi Misty! We used this container here. We always recommend using glass for storing oils, or products with oils, since plastic can break down over time.