Homemade "Lysol" Disinfecting Wipes

There’s a difference between cleaning and disinfecting.

Cleaning removes dirt, food, liquids, and other impurities from the surface.
Disinfecting kills viruses and other germs on surfaces and objects.

Many homemade cleaning wipes are great for cleaning, but they’re not good disinfectants. Most DIY cleaning wipes only use vinegar, Castile soap, or detergents like Sal Suds or natural dish soap. While those types of ingredients are great for making homemade cleaning wipes, they are not effective disinfectants.

To make effective homemade Lysol wipes or Clorox wipes that will truly disinfect, the liquid disinfecting solution needs to be at least 70% alcohol according to the CDC. That means that for this recipe you need to use either isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) or grain alcohol that is at least 140 proof.

It’s easy to make DIY disinfectant wipes that are natural and don’t have any harsh chemicals. You just need the right recipe. And I’ve got you covered.

3 key ingredients in homemade disinfecting wipes

1. alcohol

Alcohol is a natural antibacterial and antiviral. How does alcohol kill viruses and bacteria? Alcohol damages the cell walls of organisms. That allows the alcohol to enter the organism and destroy them.

According to the CDC, you want to use an alcohol that is at least 70% alcohol to disinfect surfaces. You can use either ethanol (that’s what in the alcohol that you drink) or isopropyl alcohol (that’s what’s commonly called rubbing alcohol). Both ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are effective disinfectants. The key is to use a product that is at least 70% alcohol. Here are just some of the alcohols that you can use to properly disinfect surfaces for viruses and other germs:

70%+ ethanol products — Look for 140 proof or higher drinkable grain alcohols. You’ll find these in the grain alcohol (or vodka) section of your local liquor store.

- Everclear (190 proof, 92.4% ethanol)
- Spirytus vodka (note: While most vodka sold in the United States is only 80 proof or 40% alcohol, Spirytus vodka is 192 proof, 96% alcohol. When using vodka in this homemade “Lysol” disinfecting spray make sure that you choose a vodka that is at least 140 proof)
- Golden Grain (190 proof, 95% alcohol)

70%+ isopropyl alcohol – You’ll find these in the pharmaceutical section of your local Walmart, Target, or drug store. Look for bottles labeled isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol.

- 70% rubbing alcohol
- 91% rubbing alcohol
- 99% rubbing alcohol

2. hydrogen peroxide

A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection suggested that viruses could be “efficiently inactivated” with disinfectants that contain alcohol and .5% hydrogen peroxide.

3. essential oil

See below for a list of essential oils with disinfecting properties like antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial.

Which essential oils have disinfecting properties?

Even after years of using essential oils, it still amazes me all that they can do. The essential oils listed below are just some of the many essential oils that have disinfecting properties like being antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, and deodorizing.

tea tree
lavender
geranium
lemon
orange
eucalyptus
rosemary
cinnamon
clove
thyme
peppermint

I use these disinfecting wipes in the kitchen, bathroom, and all over my home.

It’s great on non-porous hard surfaces. Here are just some of the places I use it:

kitchen

countertop
trashcan
cabinet pulls
faucet
light switches
refrigerator handles
oven knobs and handle

bathroom

doorknobs
light switches
toilet
faucets
countertop

around my home

remote controls
computer mouse
phones
thermometers
light switches
doorknobs

outside my home

steering wheel and gearshift in my car
shopping cart
restaurant table
airplane – air vent, seat belt, tray table, seatback

How to make homemade disinfecting wipes

step 1: mix the following in a large measuring cup or pitcher

3 cups alcohol (see note below about which alcohol to use)
3/4 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide (3% hydrogen peroxide)
20 drops lemon essential oil
15 drops clove essential oil
10 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil

important — The CDC recommends that for effective disinfecting you should use a disinfectant that has at least 70% alcohol content. That means that for this recipe you need to use either isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) or grain alcohol that is at least 140 proof. Here are just some of the alcohols that you can use to properly disinfect surfaces for viruses and other germs:

70%+ ethanol products — Look for 140 proof or higher drinkable grain alcohols. You’ll find these in the grain alcohol (or vodka) section of your local liquor store.
- Everclear (190 proof, 92.4% ethanol)
- Spirytus vodka (note: While most vodka sold in the United States is only 80 proof or 40% alcohol, Spirytus vodka is 192 proof, 96% alcohol. When using vodka in this homemade “Lysol” disinfecting spray make sure that you choose a vodka that is at least 140 proof)
- Golden Grain (190 proof, 95% alcohol)
70%+ isopropyl alcohol – You’ll find these in the pharmaceutical section of your local Walmart, Target, or drug store. Look for bottles labeled isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol.
- 70% rubbing alcohol
- 91% rubbing alcohol
- 99% rubbing alcohol

step 2: pour about 2 cups of the alcohol/hydrogen peroxide/essential oil mixture into your wipes container

tip: Choose a container with an airtight lid

tip: Choose a container that’s made from materials safe to use with diluted essential oils. Glass, stainless steel, and certain types of plastic (plastic #1 HDPE or plastic #2 PET) work well.

tip: Choose a container that’s large enough to hold 30-40 paper towels plus the 3 cups of disinfecting solution

step 3: prepare the paper for your wipes

You can use paper towels, dinner napkins, or disposable guest towels. Make sure that whatever you choose to use is thick, high quality paper so that it will stand up to the disinfectant and use.
Use about 30-40 Select-a-Size paper towels, dinner napkins, or guest towels.
If using paper towels, fold each in half like I did in the photo below.
Then stack the 30-40 wipes on top of each other.

step 4: Fold the stack of wipes and add them to your wipes container

step 5: Turn the wipes container on its side and swirl the disinfectant liquid around the wipes so that they all get wet.

step 6: Pour the remaining cup of disinfectant over the wipes trying to get all the wipes wet.

Tip: You should have some liquid at the bottom of your wipes container. This liquid will help make sure that your wipes stay properly moistened as you use them in the future.

step 7 (optional): add a label ( click here to get a free printable of my label + printable recipe)

How to use these wipes to disinfect surfaces

If surface is visibly dirty, pre-clean surface with an all-purpose cleaner or cleaning wipes
Pull a wipe out of container, making sure that wipe is wet with disinfecting solution.
Wipe hard, non-porous surfaces with the wipe until surface is visibly wet.
Leave surface wet for a few minutes and allow to air dry.

Be sure to grab a free printable of this recipe and label here

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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.

Homemade “Lysol” Disinfecting Wipes