I noticed we use a lot of paper towel and wipes in our household and in my mission to be frugal and reduce our grocery bill I am trying to find cheaper alternatives, like using my own homemade all purpose cleaner. Over the past few months I have been using reusable homemade antibacterial wipes, although I do still use the disposable variety for cleaning the toilets. These have been fantastic to have on hand for wiping up spills in the kitchen to grabbing a cloth and doing a quick clean of light switches or wiping up dust while on the phone, I can’t sit still when chatting on the phone.
Reusable Antibacterial Wipes can be used for:
The uses are endless really for these wipes. I call them my miracle wipes as they clean just about everything. I used a wipe recently to clean one of my kids formal school hats, got all the dirt out and I didn’t have to take it to the dry cleaners!!
- floor spills
- bench tops
- dusting
- stove top
- sink
- microwave
- skirting boards
- fridge
- clean taps
- light switches
- cleaning toddlers face and hands after eating
- wall
- and so much more
Reusable Homemade Antibacterial Wipes
When I first started making these I used a large airtight glass jar from The Reject Shop and Sabco All Purpose Microfibre Cloths, found at Woolworths (or you could be even more frugal and use old t-shirts), plus my own antibacterial solution. This only held 6-8 wipes. I roll up the cloths, place in jar and pour the liquid mix over the cloths. When I need to use them I pick out a cloth, wring out as much liquid as I can, use it, rinse and then put in the laundry to go through my usual kitchen linen wash.
I was using them far too quickly, so I now double the solution and use a decor container and filled it with a pack of microfibre clothes I found at Bunnings. Pack of 20 for $10.98. Which gives me spares so when I have some dirty in the washing basket, I have a pile of clean ones ready to refil the container.
Again, this is another really easy homemade cleaning recipe. You will need to mix the following into a jug:
WATER – I used cooled water from the kettle
VINEGAR – mild disinfectant, cuts through grease, de-scaler, glass cleaner
DETERGENT – will help lift dirt and grime. Preferably PH neutral, colour free, fragrance free and septic tank safe. You can find at your local supermarket, Earth Choice, Fragrance-Free Morning Fresh (ph neutral) and ecostore.
LAVENDER OIL – is well known for it’s natural antibacterial properties
ANOTHER ESSENTIAL OIL – for those that are not fond of the lavendar scent (me!!) add an addtional few drops of your favourite essential oil. I have started using doTERRA Oils and absolutely love the Grapefruit Pure Essential Oil. Read more here about why I use doTERRA or this page to learn how to buy.
SPRAY BOTTLE – these can be found at chemists, hairdresser supply shops, kmart or most grocery stores.
HOT WATER – I boil the kettle just prior to making this solution and allow it to sit to cool slightly.
DETERGENT – preferably PH neutral, fragrance free and septic tank safe. Will help lift dirt and grime. You can find at your local supermarket, Earth Choice, Fragrance-Free Morning Fresh (ph neutral) and ecostore.
VINEGAR – mild disinfectant, cuts through grease, de-scaler, glass cleaner
Store your wipes out of the sunlight, I keep mine under the sink.
YOU WILL NEED
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 6 drops lavender oil
- 2 drops of your favourite essential oil
- 1 teaspoon detergent
- Micro-fibre cloths
- Large airtight jar
Instructions
- Place cloths into large jar
- In a jug combine water, vinegar, essential oil and detergent, mix to combine
- Pour liquid over cloths
- Seal jar
Notes
© THE ORGANISED HOUSEWIFE. All images & content are copyright protected. If you want to share this recipe please link back to this post, do not rewrite the recipe.
85 comments
Great idea!
I love the fact they are on hand. Being able to launder them make me feel they are good as new when I pull one out.
Fans and skirting boards are my focus this week.
A little label for the jar:
Pick me.
Use me.
Launder me.
Love that idea of the label Lee LOL!
Kat you never cease to amaze me, I have never thought of this, love it going to make some up today.
Ooh thank you Jayne! Would love to see a photo once you have made them.:)
If you add clove oil it kills mould spores, too.
great idea Justine!
Tip: do not throw any disposable wipes in the toilet. Instead throw them in the garbage bin. Safes heaps of energy and $$ to our waste-water treatment process!!
They do not really disintegrate, even though it usually says on the pack that they are biodegradable and you can throw them in the toilet. DON’T…
I would take probably months if not longer for them to degrade and before that they will already have to be taken out of the waste-water treatment process (or have clogged up something/somewhere)!
Major burden on the treatment plants and our tax-payer bills!!! 🙂
Ow, and of course (totally forgot): I LOVE YOUR BLOG 🙂
Really inspirational and fun…
Thanks for making the chores more fun!
I always get so many great ideas from your blog! Thank you so much!
Alison
Ooh thank you, Alison! So lovely to hear.:)
Is there another oil you could use? My mum is highly allergic to lavender.
Rachael, you could try using tea tree oil.
I just made my own version of these on Monday! Same recipe but mine has eucalyptus oil instead of lavender and they work a treat!
That’s fantastic Erica!
Such a good idea. I use a 50:50 mix of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean just about everything, using paper wipes mostly. Even though they’re recycled paper and mainly go into our compost, I’ve been wanting to cut down on waste and costs. I’ll have to give this a go, thanks 🙂
Great idea, Dani! Yes give it a go, i’m sure you will love it!
These are great, I have used lavender oil and water in a spray bottle for cleaning surfaces for ages and love this idea, Thanks.
Your welcome Jane 🙂
I love this idea. I am going to make one today, without going to the shops. One old glass cookie jar and some old cut up tee shirts, I always have vinegar for cleaning in the cupboard. I like the comment about the clove oil. I am always happy to save money and the environment. Thanks.
Saving money and the environment together is a great combination!
I have been looking forward to trying these, just waiting on a jar. Today I made them up using Earth Choice surface cleaner (nice eucalyptus scent) and lavender oil. LOVE them, thanks for the great idea.
Ooh so glad you like them! I think they are beautiful too.:)
I use this same recipe except i use Thieves cleaner (by Young Living) and thieves essential oil. Germ Killer! I love it.
I’ve never heard of this, thanks Greta!
I also love Thieves Oil, but the Young Living one is terribly expensive. Plant Essentials in Queensland make an Australian version called Four Thieves Oil, it’s great and much cheaper. Or you can blend your own – it contains essential oils of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary. Just use a tiny amount of the clove oil, it is very strong. I make my own cleaning spray using this blend, lavender, vinegar and water.
I love this, I use some lavender, some calming oil.
I have made my daughter some too! I am on my 3rd batch lol
Thankyou????
Solid post, thanks a bunch for sharing this.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
I’m thinking of leaving out the lavender oil (gives me migraines) and adding in a half cup of lemon pine o clean instead. What do you think?
you could use any oil you like, or if not oil yes use the lemon pine o clean
im off to this recipe out now. we spend a small fortune on paper towels and cleaning products.. thankyou soooo much for sharing your secrets xoxo
I tried your tips, but instead of using essential lavender oil, I used rose oil. I can not express with words how wonderful was the smell in the whole house. Thank you very much for sharing this recipe!
Ooh i will have to try that one.:)
Love this idea. I will give it a go minus the vinegar. We have granite bench tops and vinegar eats into the granite. Will use eucalyptus and tea tree instead.
Hi Helen, yes i use the eucalyptus on my benches too. I love using the vinegar in my bathrooms and vaniety’s though.:)
Hi Katrina,
Just wanted to know, do you go through quite a few of your homemade wipes if you’re only using them once and then having to put them out to be washed?
I know in my house with 3 small children there seems to be food and drink being constantly spilled. I think I would go through too many wipes and have to make up hundreds of them just to get me through the week.
Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Racheal
I wonder the same thing… or would you wash them with towels? and how often?
Hi Racheal, I do go through a fair few clothes but i judt throw them in the wash with towels once a week.
Do you use your cloths more than once and just rinse them out after using them, putting them in the wash after a few uses? Sorry to keep going on about it but I’m really keen to try this and want to make sure it is worth my while before I do.
Kind regards,
Racheal
Depends what i am cleaning, but yes if i can get a few cleans with them first before washing then i do.
Do you go through loads of cloths though?
I made these recently just to try, never thinking for one second I would use them much, but I was sooo wrong! I love them! I do this with my regular vileda dishcloths too now and have a jar always packed with cloths. They are fabulous. I just use them for so many things, but especially around the kitchen they are fantastic. They no longer get that smelly smell that dishcloths can sometimes get even when you use a fresh one everyday. Thanks Kat they are a great idea
I love your site;from the inspirational saying to your De-clutter tip of the day! I save many of them for future reference. I really love the homemade antibacterial wipes! My daughter is supposed to take some store bought one’s to school with her, I can’t stand those. I think I’ll make my own and she will just have to bring them home to be laundered. No biggy. I love knowing that ingredients are safe!!!
Thank you for sharing your ideas! I have learned so much from your blog and I can’t wait to get organized in my house as well…
Ooh that is lovely to hear, Keshia!
I really liked that – the jar and the essential oil-great idea. I rarely use these wipes, but after reading this post, I better start using them 😀
Hi Daisy, yes they are very handy to have and use around the house.
Hi Kat,
Your site has become my go-to gospel for all my home makeover plans; thank you for all your wonderful ideas!!!
I had a question about your reusable wipes; you mentioned the solution lasts around a fortnight- do you add more wipes to the jar when and if you’ve used all the wipes? I want to start using them, and thought of separating bathroom wipes from kitchen and general dusting wipes and placed in their corresponding locations, as I love citrus in the kitchen, rose in the bathrooms, and lavender throughout the house. I thought an added bonus to this approach would be having the wipes on hand all the time, anytime. Can’t wait to start!
No I usually make up more solution each time, as the cloths soak up the solution. I love the sound of the different scents around the house, great idea!
Loving these! I got some cute jars and cloths at Kmart and one cloth lasted for ages before drying out. Really handy for quickly going over many surfaces.
Love this as I go through so many wipes & paper towel but curious how long the mixtures shelf life is?
Love the blog great ideas
Dusk no longer stock the Essential Oil Blend
Lavender Rosemary Ylang Ylang Orange and Lemon
Please can you suggest an alternative
Thank you
Great recipe!My sister told me the same recipe but she add alcohol in it. I am going to use your method. It sounds better. Thank you for sharing it. Greetings!
Hi! Got a question. We have granite, hardwood, and quartz floors and countertops. Is there any ‘recipe’ that could be used on all?
I love to give things a quick wipe, but I like to be sure if any solution needs to be rinsed off or if there is any surface I shouldn’t use it on. Have you tested it on all surfaces
I made these about a week ago & went to use them today & they had all gone mouldy! Any ideas where I went wrong? Mighty humid where I live but didn’t think having vinegar in it would allow for mould…..?
ooh that’s strange, I live on the Gold Coast and it’s quite warm here. Is the container the wipes in airtight? Mine last a week or more.
I love this idea, thank you! If you add clove oil as well how much should I use?
Where do you get your micro fibre cloths from?
I got these from the cleaning isle at the supermarket, woolworths. But Kmart and Big W have some at great prices too.
i just use water & 1capful eucalyptus oil or tea tree still leaves a lovely smell i love love love eucalyptus
I love it – no strong anti-bacterial stuff…. thanks Kat
here’s an old fashioned way to keep the kitchen clean and healthy – with a spray bottle of plain cold water in one hand a dry cotton rag in the other away we go; if that doesn’t quite do it i give a wee squirt of vinegar and wipe again; iffff there’s a stubborn stain out comes a wee bit of toothpaste… with this method in place, which compliments the maxim of wipe up the mess before it has dried, I just can’t recall when last I used a paper towel or a commercial cleaner or anything stronger than the clean dish cloth wrung out in the clean hot detergent water before I wash any dishes – occasionally).
the oils I reserve for non-food areas and where I’d like a pleasant aroma. mostly it’s with a miscible oil (the naturally unkind to bacteria, fungus etc type such as lavender, ti tree, eucalyptus, orange and so on -all available in that form) so I can dilute in a small spray bottle.
one only needs a few drops of clove oil (love the smell) to shock the mould but I’ve found neat vinegar really explodes them (they eat so much of it….yes, that’s true 🙂 )
so sorry – can’t help being verbose 🙁
A fantastic idea. We go through so much paper towel with two small children. So I brought everything for the jar today and have used one already. Smells better then plain vinegar and the table had a great clean without nasty chemicals.
Just wondering if you could make a bigger batch of this solutions up and use it as needed. Thank you
i would love to try making these but i need to ask…. one of the ingredients – detergent? would that be washing up liquid or washing power or something else maybe?? sorry im from the uk, i would really like to try these as i get through so many rolls of kitchen paper and moneys so tight right now any savings are good
Hi Leigh, it’s washing up liquid. Have you had a look at all my other DIY cleaning products. You’ll save so much money and you may find you already have most of the ingredients already in the cupboards
Hi Kat these look fab! Can’t wait to make some and stop using so much paper towel. For some reason I can’t see the quantities of each ingredient you used to make them. Could you possibly please let me know how much of each to make up the solution? Thanks ?
Yes it’s an amazing money saver. The recipe is above in the blog, can you please check now that you can see the quantities as on this end it’s there
Hi – thank you. I can now see the recipe ?
Hi, going to try this. I’m in the uk. When you say detergent, do you mean washing powder or liquid for clothes, or washing liquid to do the dishes. Thanks for all your great ideas.
These wipes are fantastic, they have totally changed the speed at which I clean! I use them for everything and just chuck them in the wash. They are just the right moistness to clean perfectly, being micro fibre they pick up all the bits and the ingredients kill the germs. I like you have had to make up a second batch! I’m in the UK and use washing up liquid as the detergent.
Thank you so much for making cleaning simpler, I never use any cleaning sprays etc. now.
Hi Kate, just joined your website and love your natural cleaning ideas. Also great to have a blog like yours from an Australia site, much easier to source the products.
You suggest using grapefruit oil as an alternative to lavender if you’re not a lavender fan. If I add the grapefruit oil do I omit the lavender oil? Many thanks
Hi lovely, yes you use the grapefruit (or other oil of your choice) instead of the lavender 🙂
Hi lovely, yes you use the grapefruit (or other oil of your choice) instead of the lavender 🙂
not just economical but environmentally friendly too 🙂
These wipes are AMAZING!! I love that they are a sustainable alternative to throw away antibacterial wipes, and they clean everything so beautifully. Thanks for the great idea ?
ooh what great feedback Lana, I use them for absolutely everything, they are so versatile!
Hello, this question may have already been asked..does it have to be stored in an airtight container? I’m thinking of re using a large coffee jar, but it no longer has the seal around the glass lid. I can keep it closed but not sealed, if that makes sense. Thanks
they need to be stored in an airtight container to keep the liquid in and to keep the air from hitting the moisture and causing mould 🙂
Hi Katrina, any idea on how to make this system “on the go”? I am due with my first baby in May and going down the path of cloth nappies and reusable wipes. I’d really like to use an anti-bacterial version as well (more likely to use as the baby gets older) for dirty hands and wiping down surfaces.
Making this today… but I going to use lemon and tea tree oil instead.
Hi, would this solution be safe to use on caesarstone/quantum quartz bench tops? Thank you
Kirsty did Kat respond I have the same question as I have a stone bench top.
Hi Chris, it is often suggested that vinegar shouldn’t be used on stone top benches, but my benches are stone and I use this cleaner. I love it! If you are wanting to give it a go, perhaps test a small out-of-sight section first. Kat 🙂