Fabulous Farm Girl

Simple. All-natural. Fabulous.

All Natural Cleaning Wipes

All-Natural Cleaning Wipes by FabulousFarmGirl. So easy to make, so effective and smell so good you'll wonder why you ever bought them.A while back I did a post about my complete Cleaning Cabinet Makeover. It has been one of my most popular posts and I am quite proud of it but as it turns out it’s not really complete. I know, I was shocked too! What could possibly be missing? Well, a dear friend of mine pointed out that it didn’t include a replacement for Clorox Wipes. That’s it? Whew! I can fix that, no problem.

"All-Natural Since I don’t really use Clorox cleaning wipes in my house I didn’t think to come up with an all-natural replacement. But they are convenient and as my friend pointed out, they are easy for her children to use. There are lots of different recipes for cleaning wipes out there and I’ve tried several but just wasn’t satisfied. Then it finally occurred to me that I already had the perfect recipe–my All-Purpose Cleaner. As it turns out, a full recipe of the All-Purpose Cleaner was exactly the right amount of liquid to make my new All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes. Here’s a list of what’s in it and why:

Water—this stuff makes up about 60% of the human body and it is recommended that we drink eight glasses of it a day. Just sayin’. For this recipe the water is just there to dilute the other ingredients and soak the paper towel.
Isopropyl Alcohol—also called rubbing alcohol, make sure you buy it in the 70% solution. It kills germs and bacteria as well as cutting through dirt and grime. It evaporates immediately leaving surfaces streak-free.
 White Vinegar—effective at killing most bacteria, germs and mold it is also a great deodorizer.
Castile Soap—a true soap, made with 100% plant oils (no animal oils like tallow) and no chemical detergents so it is biodegradable. I use Dr. Bronner’s brand.
Paper Towel—I use Bounty brand for making wipes as other brands don’t hold up well after being soaked. Remember that it is best not to flush paper towel down the toilet so put the wipes in the garbage when done using.
Melaleuca EO–recognized by it’s more common name “tea tree oil”, promotes healthy immune function, protects against environmental and seasonal threats, helps purify and freshen the air and surfaces.
Lemon EO–cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces, promotes a positive mood and cognitive ability.
White Fir EO–not only does it smell fantastic, white fir supports c;ear breathing and respiratory function, energizes the body and mind and helps the body relax.

If you don’t have one of these essential oils feel free to swap for a different one. Most essential oils have fantastic cleaning properties and will do a great job in these cleaning wipes. Just make sure you use the highest quality essential oils you can find. 

All-Natural Cleaning Wipes by FabulousFarmGirl. So easy to make, so effective and smell so good you'll wonder why you ever bought them.Get yourself a roll of Bounty paper towels. Oh, and get the extra large ones that are the “select-a-size”variety. I’ve tried many brands of paper towels and Bounty brand is the only one that is tough enough to use as cleaning wipes. Trust me on this one. Now just cut the roll in half width-wise with a serrated or electric knife. I recommend trimming the cut edge with scissors to make a cleaner edge. Put one half away for next time you make wipes. For those who know me and are wondering: yes, I did measure the paper towel all the way around with a ruler and marked it with a pencil before I cut it. Laugh if you want, but my two halves are perfectly even, so there!

All-Natural Cleaning Wipes by FabulousFarmGirl. So easy to make, so effective and smell so good you'll wonder why you ever bought them.Now you just half to pour everything into a mason jar, put the lid on and shake well for a good minute or two. In a pinch you can use a bowl and stir really well. Put one of your paper towel halves into a container with an air-tight lid and slowly pour the liquid cleaner over it. Keep stirring as you go to keep the oil and water incorporated. Squish down the roll of paper towel with the lid and let it sit there for ten minutes. Then flip the container back over and leave it alone for 10 more minutes. Remove the lid and pull out the cardboard tube and then pull the center-most wipe from the hole. Because you used the select-a-size version you can pull out one small wipe for small jobs or pull a little more to get a bigger wipe for bigger jobs. In my house it seems like all the jobs are bigger jobs! Why is that? Oh, right, I have 3 boys.

All-Natural Cleaning Wipes by FabulousFarmGirl. So easy to make, so effective and smell so good you'll wonder why you ever bought them.

I have never been one to use store-bought cleaning wipes because they aren’t cheap and I don’t like what’s in them. But now that I’ve come up with my own home-made version I’m hooked. My boys much prefer cleaning their bathroom with them and I feel good knowing all the ingredients are safe and very effective at killing germs. Plus they smell great and who doesn’t love that?

All-Natural Cleaning Wipes
1 roll Bounty paper towel, cut in half
1 c. warm water
1/2 c. 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
1/2 c. distilled white vinegar
1 tsp. pure castile soap
10 drops melaleuca essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops white fir essential oil

Cut paper towel in half width-wise with a serrated or electric knife. Trim rough edge with scissors to remove stray bits and pieces of paper towel. Use half the roll now and save half for later. In a mason jar or bowl, combine all ingredients and stir for several minutes. If using a mason jar, put on lid and shake well. Place paper towel, cut side down, in a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Pour mixture over the paper towel and cover with lid (squishing the roll if necessary). Let stand for 10 minutes. Turn container upside down and let stand for 10 more minutes. Remove lid, then pull out and discard the cardboard center. Pull the innermost wipe from the center of the roll and you’re ready to start cleaning. Cover with lid when not in use.

Note #1: In case you’re wondering, I got my round containers at Walmart. They came in a pack of 3 for $1.87. I was worried because they don’t have an airtight seal but the wipes have stayed moist for months. I keep a container under the sink in each of my bathrooms.

Note #2: If you notice your wipes start to dry out after a while, just pour 1/4 cup water over the top to reconstitute.

1c FDA



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  5. Emily says

    Love this idea, but I do have a question about essential oils– how do you know how they are going to smell when they are mixed together. I see a lot of combinations online and I can’t tell how they will smell! 🙂

    Reply

  6. Fabulous Farm Girl says

    Hi Emily, and thanks for your great question. Usually when I am using essential oils in a DIY recipe it is because I want the benefit of that oil not the smell (i.e. lemon for disinfecting or lavender for healing the skin) but as a bonus they always seem to smell great as well. There is a whole perfume industry that has gotten fragrance blending down to a science but I have a much simpler method. I open the 2 or 3 bottles I am thinking of combining, hold then together and take in a big whiff. That will give you a pretty good assessment. If you’re still not sure then put a drop of each oil on your hand in the same spot then put a drop of coconut or almond oil on top and rub it all in. That will tell you precisely what the combination of oils will smell like in your product. Plus you’ll smell nice. Hope that helps:)
    –Leah

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Thanks Daniela–I love it when I have all the ingredients to make something! Just posted these wipes on your blog-hop and anyone reading this should check out your website. It’s great!
      –Leah

      Reply

  11. Mary says

    I love this recipe! I’m going to make these for my office as well.
    YOU have been featured this morning @ Back to the Basics for Tuesdays with a Twist!!! Thank you for sharing with us!

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      What a great idea Mary! I was also thinking they would be great for teachers to use in their classrooms. So many possibilities. Thanks for the feature on your blog-hop this week. I really enjoy your site!
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Thanks Jennifer! How awesome that you live in a place that has such a thing as a green bin. Everything in these wipes is all-natural and bio-degradable so I’m assuming the answer is yes. Now the question is how do I get my town to do an organic waste bin?
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Thanks Kelli! Frugal and basic–that’s me! Just linked up to your link party and spent some time looking around your site. I really enjoyed it and will check back often. have a great week!
      –Leah

      Reply

  15. Heather says

    Thanks! Love this recipe and the tip for using bounty paper towels. I’m going to make this for home use, but also make a udder wipe for our milk goats. Ingredients for udder wipes are apple cider vinegar, infused comfrey and cayenne, tea tree EO and lavender EO. I already have this in a spray bottle to spray their teats after milking, but would be easy to make a double batch and use the same for cleaning the udders pre-milking. Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Your welcome Heather but I should be thanking you. I love, love love your idea of udder wipes and I don’t even own a cow (yet). I will definitely keep that one on file for when I do. My husband and teenager think you’re a genius. I agree!
      –Leah

      Reply

  17. Susan says

    Curious if anyone has used this same recipe with old t-shirts or something like that, in place of the paper towels?

    Reply

  18. Simone says

    Hi Leah, what a great idea! I have never seen this done before. I sometime use the bought cleaning wipes but only buy them when they are on special. I might give this a go. These would be great for my kids to use too x

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Yes Simone, they are great for kids to use and much less toxic too. Plus they’re cheaper, they smell better, they clean great and disinfect too. Can you tell I am kind of in love with these wipes! Definitely a great place to start your cleaning cabinet makeover. Have a fabulous day!
      –Leah

      Reply

  20. Michelle @ Green Earth Bazaar says

    Wow, that’s so cool! I’m definitely going to try making some. I haven’t used any kind of cleaning wipes since my daughters were little, but they are so convenient and useful to have especially while traveling. The only item I need to purchase are the paper towels (thanks for the brand tip by the way).
    By the way, I love Dr. Bronner’s too. It’s the only soap I buy; great soap, great company. 🙂

    Reply

    • fabulous Farm Girl says

      You’re welcome Michelle! My kids are teenagers and they prefer cleaning with the wipes. To be honest so do i and since they are cheaper and not toxic like the store brand, I can easily justify it. I love the idea of using them when traveling. I am definitely stealing that idea. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous week!
      –Leah

      Reply

  21. Sarah Ann says

    I LOVE this idea! I am just starting to dabble in essential oils and it was a joy to find you through the SITS Sharefest! My kids are sick ALL the time and I need to amp up my cleaning tool belt so I will absolutely be making these!! I am a new follower and would be honored if you would join me at the Saturday Soiree Blog Party and share your great ideas. http://faithalongtheway.com

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      That’s awesome Sarah Ann! Essential Oils have changed my family’s healthcare entirely. No one here has been sick in almost 2 years since I started with doTerra. My Cleaning Cabinet Makeover is a great place to start and will allow you to get rid of all the toxic cleaning chemicals in your home. Thanks for the invite and I will definitely link up next time. Have a fabulous week!
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Thanks Susie! You have good taste in essential oils–Melaleuca is one of my favorites too! It’s so versatile and I use it in lots of my products. Have a fabulous week and come back soon.
      –Leah

      Reply

  24. Heather says

    Ooh I am definitely printing this out! I love my homemade cleaners, but just have not found anything to replace my Chlorox wipes. I can’t wait to make these!!

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Hi Renee–thanks for your question! These wipes are safe on acrylic, ceramic tile, wood, glass, stainless steel, marble and granite. You’re gonna love them. They are probably my favorite homemade cleaning product. Have a fabulous week!
      –Leah

      Reply

  28. Debbie says

    This is such a fabulous idea! I don’t have small kids at home, but I do have six dogs, so it’s kind of the same idea (except they don’t have to clean their own bathroom). Here from the Sits Girls!

    Reply

  29. Allison Clayton says

    Fantastic method. I have tried several times to do cleaning wipes at home. I put only 10 drops of essential oil. First time I used lavender essential oil. It has amazing scent. Every time when I wiped something with them the whole house smells. Greetings!

    Reply

    • Leah says

      That’s great Allison! Good job making your own cleaning products and riding your house of all those nasty chemicals. Of all the homemade cleaners I make, this is one of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by!
      –Leah

      Reply

  31. Katy Downs says

    You are a rockstar!! I, absolutely, love all your recipes… thank you for helping us all remove the horrible chemicals from our home… one homemade product at a time!

    Reply

    • Leah says

      Wow Katy–thanks so much and you’re very welcome. But really, you’re the rock star for not just talking about making your home healthier but actually doing it. Great job!
      –Leah

      Reply

  32. Susan says

    Hi, I’m looking for wipes for germy hands while we’re out. Do you think this recipe is also good for hands? Thanks!

    Reply

  33. Kristi says

    Just double-checking, have you found them to be effective and not mold, if you leave them for a couple months? (i.e. using this wipe for kitchen counter tops, and if I did it this way, the wipes would last for a little while)

    Reply