DIY Reusable Household Cleaning Wipes

One of my first DIY home cleaning projects was reusable wipes. I'm a sucker for things like Clorox wipes and used them to clean everything from the kitchen to the bathroom. When the budget is tight however, I really can't afford them and that's when I went searching for something I could make myself.

There are lots of ideas and recipes for DIY wipes. Some people use paper towels and pine sol, but that sounded too expensive to me. Plus I wanted something a little more natural. Then I came across the idea of using old cut up t-shirts to make reusable wipes.

I found some old holey undershirts that were ready to be tossed and cut them up. I wasn't too precise on the size; I mostly wanted to get as many wipes out of the shirts as I could. I got about 40 wipes out of 4 or 5 (man size) tank tops.

Sanitizing Wipes

What you need:

2 cups water

1 cup white vinegar

3 1/2 tbsp dawn dish soap

1 large container with a lid (I used a Glad-ware container)

Place a stack of cloths into the container. I put about 20, but you could easily put more. Then measure out your cleaning ingredients and mix well (a glass measuring cup works well for this part).

Pour the mixture over the towel. I try to pour some around the edges, as well as the middle because it helps coat everything more evenly. Then put the lid on and give it a good shake. 

They are ready for use! I usually give each wipe a little squeeze over the container before using it just to drain the excess liquid. I designated a little basket in the laundry room for used wipes. When we're running low on wipes or the little basket looks full, I just toss them in with my towels. 

This amount of mix will last for more than one batch. After the wipes are washed, I just put a little stack together, stick them under the existing wipes in the container, and give it a good shake so that the cleaning mix permeates the new wipes. We typically use these wipes to clean up the kitchen counters and stove.

Disinfectant Wipes

What you need:

2 1/4 cups water

2 1/4 cups method antibac

1 reusable container

Along with the sanitizing wipes, I also wanted to make sure I had something that I trusted to get rid of germs from raw meat and for wiping down things like the toilet. I didn't want a super harsh or smelly chemical like bleach (which I'm allergic to) or pine sol. So I just looked through the cleaning products I had on hand. When I came across the method antibac (which has a lovely, gentle spearmint smell), I was hooked. 

The process is the same as with the sanitizing wipes. Put a stack of wipes in the container, mix up your cleaning solution, pour cleaning solution into container, and then give it a couple of good shakes with the lid on. 

This amount of solution will also make more than just the initial amount of wipes. The first time I made them, I stuffed 18 cloths into my container. Since then, I've probably refilled it with cloths 2 or 3 times and haven't had to add solution. I also find it handy to just write the recipe on the back of the container, that way you never forget and if you're not around, someone else can refill the container themselves. =)