At one point in my life, 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. There is another way! Replace 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 power. 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 the 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 give 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

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.
• Makes 20 wipes.

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 countertops 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