How to Make Your Own Kitchen Wipes

Homemade kitchen wipes are ready to use without the waste.

The convenience of pre-moistened cleaning wipes is hard to beat, but the cost -- and waste -- is hard to justify when you go through containers quickly. Make your own reusable wipes to refill your empty cleaning wipes containers, or store them in any air-tight container that allows easy access. Customize the size of your wipes and the cleaning solutions to fit your needs. This is a good way to get use out of old shirts that are too damaged to donate.

Things You'll Need

• Old cotton clothing
• Scissors
• Airtight plastic container
• White vinegar or pine cleaner

Instructions

1. Cut laundered cotton clothes, such as cotton T-shirts and button-downs, into 8-inch squares for basic all-purpose wipes; cut some larger or smaller for different-sized jobs.

2. Fold the squares and place them in the airtight container.

3. Mix your cleaning solution. For an all-natural all-purpose cleaner, mix 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water. For a disinfectant cleaner, use 1/4 cup pine cleaner and 2 cups water.

4. Pour the solution over the fabric squares. Close the container and shake it well. Check to make sure the fabric is moist. If it's too dry, mix and add more solution until it's wet all the way through.

Tips & Warnings

• After using each wipe, put it into a plastic bag. Toss the soiled wipes in with your regular laundry, or all together in one load.

• Add more water to the container as necessary as the wipes begin to dry out.

• For disposable wipes, use heavy-duty paper towels instead of fabric squares.

• Don't use a chlorine bleach solution on your homemade wipes -- the bleach will eat away at the fabric over time.

• Don't use polyester fabric, as it won't absorb the solution well.

References

• Organized Home; Wipe Out! Make Your Own Cleaning Wipes; Cynthia Ewer

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish