**Update 4/12/2012
I was looking at one of the blogs I got ideas from, and I found A Word of Caution about Vinegar and Castille Soap. SO, I am going to try this version on Living on a Dime.
Original Post:
I LOVE using Clorox wipes and DREAD the kitchen sponge for counter cleaning. I am not a fan of reusing a wet rag to wipe the counters. I assume the germs and bacteria multiply, even if the rag dries (which it rarely does).
So, when I saw a post by Live Renewed (and a few other bloggers who tried it as well, like Life is Nothing Without Him and One Good Thing) about making reusable disinfectant wipes, I knew I had to try it!
I also found this version on Living on a Dime – she uses rubbing alcohol, claiming it is more disinfecting. However, I believe vinegar and tea tree oil to be disinfecting enough. BUT here’s what I did…
I got out a 2 cup measuring cup and poured in approximately:
1 c. water (warm it up before adding the rest)
3/4 c. vinegar (disinfectant)
a few drops of tea tree oil* (disinfectant)
castile soap** (extra cleaning power)
Old T-shirts to make your “wipes” – I collected a few white and gray t-shirts from my family members and cut them into wipe sized rectangles and squares. I just used as much of the shirts as I could; I did not care if they were all exactly the same size. I used 2 shirts (maybe 3) and got more than 30 rectangles!
Now, put all those wipes in a container that has a decent seal. You want something that won’t allow your wipes to dry out. You could use an old baby wipes box. I found a large peanut butter jar in my “to reuse” pile of containers. I didn’t fold them. That’s a little too much effort for me :).
Pour just enough mixture over the cloths to get them a little moist – you don’t want them soaking wet. Put the remainder in an empty water bottle so you can use it next time (I only had a few tablespoons left.)
When you’re done with a wipe, just toss it in the laundry! Easy peasy, better for the environment, less costly, less toxic, and BAM – DIY!
*Tea tree oil: 2 fl. oz. at Wal-mart in the Supplements/Vitamins section for $7.96. It was about the same at Target.
**Castile soap: Target had 16 oz for about $11 and 32 oz. for $17 near the make-up section. My Target also had tea tree oil, unscented(only 32 oz), and lavender. I don’t really like lavender so I bought peppermint. GNC/Vitamine Shoppe supposedly has citrus, but it was more expensive (at least online).
