Homemade Alternative to Clorox Wipes

Single-use cleaning wipes are often used to clean up any mess left behind due to spillage on the floor. But single-use cleaning wipes can be used only once which is a major problem. The brand name associated with disinfecting wipes is Clorox. These wipes are made in such a way that they can be used on surfaces where germs are usually found. These surfaces include light switches, tables, sinks, trash cans, and handles.

But there are some issues associated with commercial disinfectant wipes. These wipes are made out of plastic and since plastic is a non-biodegradable material, it will not decompose for a very long time. These wipes also contain harmful chemicals and you are getting exposed to these harmful chemicals every time you use these wipes. Therefore, it is of high importance to find homemade alternatives to Clorox wipes that can be just as effective if not more effective!

Key Takeaways

• Commercial disinfectant wipes are widely used but these wipes have issues such as being wasteful, toxic, and expensive.
• It is very easy to make wipes at home using water, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, washcloths, a Tupperware container, ammonia, essential oils, and scissors.
• Homemade alternatives to Clorox wipes include vinegar, castile soap, essential oils, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and lastly soap and water.

The Science of Disinfection

The science of disinfection involves the study of how to eliminate or reduce the number of microorganisms on a surface or in a particular environment to prevent the spread of disease. Disinfectants work by destroying or disrupting the cell membranes of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The effectiveness of a disinfectant depends on several factors, such as the type of micro-organisms it is designed to target, the concentration of the disinfectant, the duration of exposure, and the physical properties of the surface being disinfected. For example, some micro-organisms are more resistant to disinfectants than others and some surfaces may be more difficult to clean than others.

The Risks of Commercial Disinfectant Wipes

Commercial disinfect wipes are convenient but they can cause serious damage to your health, your home, and the environment. The reasons are:

Wasteful

One of the major issues is that these wipes are highly wasteful. This is because they are single cleaning wipes and after using the wipes once there is no other choice other than to throw the wipes away. This is because these disinfectant wipes are produced using synthetic fibers and these fibers are not recyclable. When we are throwing away the wipes we are causing harm to the environment as these wipes do not decompose and only add to the landfill.

Toxic

These wipes contain harsh chemicals and these chemicals can cause acute and chronic health issues as well as causing irritation to the eye, skin, and respiratory systems. Additionally, hormone disruption and reproductive issues have been linked to the usage of these wipes.

Expensive

These wipes come with a one-time use so they are thrown away as soon as they are used.  It requires 2-3 sheets for a typical cleaning job so buying these wipes essentially means that you are throwing away money.

Home Alternatives to Clorox Wipes

You are now aware of the different issues regarding the usage of commercial disinfectant wipes. But wipes are regularly used in the household so how will you tackle this situation? Luckily several substitutes are available. You could even use these instead of making your own homemade wipes!

Making DIY Homemade Wipes

For the homemade washcloth wipes, the ingredients and materials will be slightly different but the process will be more or less the same.

Materials

• Water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Dish soap
• Washcloths
• Tupperware container
• Ammonia
• Essential oils
• Scissors

Procedure

1. Mix water, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, and essential oil in a mixture separate from the container.
2. Cut the washcloths into identical square pieces using the scissors (you could do 4×4 or 5×5 inches) and place them in the container.
3. Pour the mixture from step one into the container with the washcloths and let it sit there for about 10 minutes until it is completely soaked.
4. Afterward, strain all the liquid mixture away and leave the washcloths to dry in the container with the lid open.
5. Close the lid and open it whenever you need one of the washcloths to wipe something!

While paper towels are still disposable, they are much more natural than the plastic used in Clorox wipes. That is why it is safe to dispose of them. If you are to use wash clothes instead of paper towels for your homemade wipes, that is even better! These wash clothes can be washed again and they will be good as new!

Tips for Using Homemade Disinfectant Solutions

Homemade disinfectants can be effective, but they can also be dangerous if not handled properly. Here are 5 tips that you can follow when working with homemade disinfectant solutions such as:

1. Use the correct ratio of ingredients: Be sure to measure the correct ratio of ingredients when making homemade disinfectant solutions. Using too little of an ingredient can render the solution ineffective while using too much can damage surfaces.
2. Label the solution: Clearly label the container with the name of the solution along with the date it was made and any cautionary warnings. This will help prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.
3. Wear protective gear: Wear protective gear such as gloves and eye protection when handling the solution to prevent skin and eye irritation.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Clorox wipes have a good side as well as a bad side. These wipes are great when it comes to killing bacteria and viruses, but they can cause allergic reactions and be harsh on the skin. Staying safe is very important and can be achieved by using homemade alternatives to Clorox wipes. DIY products are highly effective and are made out of natural ingredients. Clorox wipes contain harmful chemicals which necessitate the use of wearing plastic gloves. However, when you will use homemade wipes you will have no such concerns as these wipes are free from harmful chemicals. Another plus point of homemade wipes is that they are not made of plastic. This essentially means that you are not only looking after the health of your family but you are making the environment better as well.