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: Â
- 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!
Patty Lindley says
can you use Eucalyptus Globus instead?
Jenn says
Yes, you sure can! 🙂
Dawn Milford says
Another option is to use the Thieves cleaner.
Reg says
What are you saying to use Thieves cleaner in place of? The vinegar? or the essential oils? or what? thank you
Beth K says
I think Dawn was saying to use Thieves cleaner mixed with water as the solution for the wipes.
Jennifer says
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!
Jenn says
You could absolutely use RC with lemon and tea tree. 🙂
Alana Golomb says
I use 1 capful of Young Livings Thieves Cleaner diluted with distilled water and coffee filters. It works great
Kim says
How much water and coffee filters with the cappful of thieves cleaner?
Lori says
Coffee filters in place of paper towels is a great idea!!
Beth K says
So smart!
Rachel says
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.
Nancy Koeman says
my concern is this still adds to the land fill.
Beth K says
You could always place cut up t-shirts in the container and use as needed. Wash, repeat! 🙂
AppleAnnie says
Great I’m sold now have a large quantity of cotton “rags” l save fo sweat projects in the garden & now to try this idea, thanks !
Misty says
What size container did you use and does it need to be glass?
Diana M says
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.
Tina says
New to using oils. Where would I find the suds? Also not a fan of tea tree fragrance. Eucalyptus is pretty high up on the list too lol. I love lemon though. Which smell does this combination favor more? I love crisp, clean scents and light floral fragrance. Love lavender. Lemongrass. Orange/ lemon my favs. Any suggestions?
Diana M says
Hi Tina! We get our sal suds on Amazon. It sounds like citrus fresh would be perfect for you 🙂
Jennifer says
Can I make this without the eucalyptus essential oil?
Diana M says
Yes, you can. If you have thieves you can add that or add a bit more tea tree oil in the place of the eucalyptus.