How to Make Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Are you looking for a more eco-friendly, budget-conscious, and customizable alternative to store-bought disposable cleaning wipes? Look no further! Making your own homemade wipes is incredibly simple, and you’ll love having control over the ingredients. Whether you need them for cleaning spills, refreshing hands, or cleaning surfaces, these have you covered.

Why Make Them Homemade?

Currently at the beginning of 2026, the cost of buying one container of cleaning wipes is $4.97. When you average the cost of making your own at home it’s about .50 cents per jar of cleaning wipes. It’s amazing how many harmful ingredients are found in store bought cleaners. Yes, they are convenient if you don’t want to make them and in a pinch very practical. However, in the long run using harmful ingredients can affect your health and cause respiratory problems.

The fact that they are customizable makes theses easy to alter to a specific need. I often have multiple jars for different purposes and have tried several scents to see which I like best. This makes them an easy homestead DIY project that will save you money for years to come.

If you love homemade cleaners check out this recipe for disinfecting spray or a great all around cleaner for your home. Another Disinfecting Lavender cleaning spray.

Benefits of Making Homemade Cleaning Wipes

• Cost-Effective: Save money in the long run by using reusable materials like soft cloths and common household ingredients.

• Eco-Friendly: Reduce waste by reusing cloths instead of constantly throwing away disposables paper towels. It is still eco-friendly with paper towels because you still are not buying them from a store which uses plastic containers.

• Customizable: Tailor the solution to your specific needs – from sensitive skin formulas to powerful cleaning solutions.

• Chemical-Free Control: Avoid harsh chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives often found in commercial wipes.

I’m all about reusable cloths, but sometimes I clean so much during the day that having paper towel wipes is easier to use, easier to make, and I can make more of them. So, if this is your situation don’t feel bad. This is not something to worry about, but you have the option to use reusable cloths if you want to.

Supplies Needed

• Cloth Wipes: You can use old t-shirts cut into squares, flannel fabric, microfiber cloths, or even sturdy paper towels for a “disposable” homemade option. For reusable wipes, aim for pieces about 8×8 inches. You can purchase cloth baby wipes that work very well for a reusable option.

• Airtight Container: A plastic container with a lid, a coffee canister, an old wipe bin, a large glass jar, or even a gallon-sized freezer bag will work perfectly to store your finished wipes.

• Water: Distilled or previously boiled and cooled water is best to prevent bacterial growth. I use them so fast I use tap water. (shhh….)

• Soap (Optional): A few drops of unscented castile soap or dawn. Soap helps cut down oil and dirt.

• Essential Oils (Optional): A few drops of tea tree oil (for its antibacterial properties), lavender (calming), or lemon (cleansing) – choose oils appropriate for your intended use and dilute properly.

• Measuring Spoons/Cups

Steps to Make Cleaning Wipes

1. Prepare Your Container: Place your folded or rolled cloth squares neatly into your chosen airtight container. If using a paper towel roll, cut it in half and place one half in a tall container. The cardboard center will come out later.
2. Mix the Solution: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine:
   • 1 cup distilled or cooled boiled water (I use tap water because I use them so fast. However, to prevent bacteria you should use one of these other suggestions.)
   • 1 tablespoon witch hazel (optional, for extra cleansing)
   • 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol (optional, for disinfection)
   • 5-10 drops of essential oil (e.g., lemon for cleaning, tea tree for antibacterial)
     Note: cloths will absorb more liquid, this may require you to make more. Try a double batch if you do not have enough.
3. Pour Over Wipes: Slowly pour the solution evenly over your cloths, making sure they are all thoroughly moistened but not soaking wet.
4. Remove the Core: Once the paper towels/cloths have softened from the solution, reach into the center and gently pull out the cardboard core.
5. Ready to Dispense: Pull the first wipe from the very center of the roll. This creates a “pop-up” effect, allowing you to easily grab one wipe at a time through the top of your container.
6. Seal and Store: Put the lid on your container. Allow the wipes to absorb the solution further.

Homemade Cleaning Wipes

These cleaning wipes are an easy-to-make, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to store-bought disposables. They combine the convenience of a grab-and-go cleaner with the peace of mind of knowing exactly which ingredients are being used on the surfaces in your home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Equipment

• cloths or half paper towel roll
• Container Needs to fit the cloths rolled or half of a paper towel roll.

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Distilled water boiled tap water also works
• 1 TBS Witch Hazel
• 1 Tsp Alcohol
• 5 Drops of lemon essential oil tea tree oil for antibacterial

Instructions

 

• Place your folded or rolled cloth squares neatly into your chosen airtight container. If using a paper towel roll, cut it in half and place one half in a tall container. The cardboard center will come out later.
• Combine all of your ingredients in a small bowl.
• Slowly pour the solution evenly over your cloths, making sure they are all thoroughly moistened but not soaking wet.
• Once the paper towels have softened from the solution, reach into the center and gently pull out the cardboard core.
• Pull the first wipe from the very center of the roll. This creates a "pop-up" effect, allowing you to easily grab one wipe at a time through the top of your container.
• If they haven't been moistened enough add another 1/2 cup of water and 1/4 cup of alcohol to your mixing bowl and slowly add it to your towels. There should only be a minimal amount of liquid at the bottom of the jar.

Keyword cleaning, cleaning wipes, DIY Cleaning wipes, homemade cleaning wipes, How to make cleaning wipes

Storing Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Because this recipe is primarily made with water and no preservatives, I recommend making only what you will use in one to two weeks.

Store them in a cool dark location, light can break down the potency of the essential oils and the alcohol.

Where to Use Homemade Cleaning Wipes

• Counters
• Doorknobs
• Walls
• Baseboards and more…

Always test a small area before you use it. I like to stay away from stainless steel, glass, and windows when using essential oils because it leads to streaking. For a stainless steel and glass approved wipe follow the recipe below.

Recipe For Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaning Wipes

1 cup of water

3/4 cup of alcohol

5 drops of dish soap

Do not add essential oils to this. This recipe will leave your stainless steel, glass and mirrors streak free.

For Bacteria Fighting Disinfecting Wipes

Follow This Recipe:

1 1/2 cus of water

3/4 Tsp. Bleach

Caution: NEVER mix essential oils with bleach. Do not mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaners, as this creates toxic gases.

Pro Tips:

1. Start with less liquid, add more if needed: Your rags or paper towels may absorb more or less liquid than what this recipe calls for due to different brands of towels. It is best to start with less and add more if needed so your towels don’t become over saturated.
2. Always keep supplies on hand: Always keep supplies on hand. when you are cleaning, it only takes a few minutes to make a new batch of cleaner.

I hope these recipes help you in your homesteading and homemaking journey. If you are new to homesteading or homemaking check out the main page for more homemade recipes to try.

Once you try homemade wipes you will never go back to store bought again.

Have you tried making your own cleaners? Leave a comment below and let me know which essential oil blend is your favorite!