I love the clean feeling of a tidy home, but I don’t enjoy spending a lot of time cleaning. That’s why I keep things simple and fast—enter these essential oil cleaning wipes.
With just a quick wipe, they remove messes and leave surfaces refreshed. I also prefer using these around my family because they’re all-natural and free of harsh toxins commonly found in store-bought options.
They require only a few everyday ingredients and take about 2 minutes to prepare. Once assembled, the jar makes it convenient to reach in and grab a wipe whenever you need one.
These wipes are handy and effective for many tasks, including:
- cleaning spills and messes on kitchen counters
- wiping the handle of a shopping cart before use
- freshening a car’s interior (test in an inconspicuous spot first)
- cleaning and shining a kitchen sink
- reducing mold and mildew in bathrooms
- cleaning the microwave
- cleaning toilets
- removing streaks from refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens
What you need to make these DIY kitchen & bath cleaning wipes
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup distilled water or boiled, cooled filtered water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon unscented liquid Castile soap
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- 10 drops lemon essential oil (Citrus limon)
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus radiata)
- Select-a-size paper towels or disposable guest towels (use a sturdy, thick paper product)
- Large glass jar or a PET #1 / HDPE #2 plastic container safe for diluted essential oils
Related essential oil cleaning recipes
- DIY Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs – no more stinky trash cans
- Homemade Lysol Disinfecting Spray Cleaner with essential oils
- Streak-Free Window & Mirror Glass Cleaner
- How to Make Natural Dishwasher Detergent Tabs
- Homemade Dish Soap with Essential Oils
- DIY Soft Scrub Cleaner with Essential Oils
- 8 DIY Recipes for Cleaning with Lemon Essential Oil
- Homemade Poo-Pourri (Before You Go toilet spray)
How to make homemade kitchen & bath cleaning wipes
Step 1: Add water
Pour 3/4 cup distilled water into a glass canister. You can substitute boiled and cooled filtered water if preferred. If using plastic, confirm it’s PET #1 or HDPE #2 to avoid issues with essential oils.
Step 2: Add vinegar
Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the jar.
Step 3: Add Castile soap
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon unscented liquid Castile soap. Use a gentle stir to avoid creating too many bubbles.
Step 4: Add essential oils
Add a total of 30 drops of essential oils: 10 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon, and 10 drops eucalyptus. These oils provide cleansing power and a fresh scent.
Step 5: Gently stir
Stir gently to combine ingredients without producing foam from the Castile soap.
Step 6: Prepare the paper towels
I use 30 select-a-size paper towels and fold them in half to make them easier to pull from the jar. You can also use premium dinner napkins or disposable guest towels. Choose a thick, durable paper product so it withstands soaking and scrubbing.
Step 7: Roll and submerge the towels
Roll the paper towels and place them in the jar so the ends sit in the cleaning solution. Twist slightly to ensure the liquid reaches the center and bottom of the roll.
Step 8: Seal the jar
Put the lid on. The solution will wick up into the roll and fully saturate the towels within a short time.
Optional: Label your jar
Print a label on full-sheet label paper or on plain paper and attach it with glue or clear tape to identify the contents and date made.
Recipe summary
- 3/4 cup distilled or boiled/cooled filtered water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon unscented liquid Castile soap
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Gently stir, add a roll of sturdy paper towels to a jar so the ends sit in the solution, seal, and allow the wipes to saturate before use.
How to use the wipes
These homemade wipes are versatile. Use them to:
- clean kitchen counters and small spills
- wipe shopping cart handles before use
- freshen car interiors (spot-test first)
- clean and shine sinks
- treat mold and mildew by keeping the area wet for several minutes, then allowing it to dry; repeat weekly as needed
- clean microwaves and toilets
- remove streaks from stainless appliances
More essential oil ideas
Try other DIY projects like trash can deodorizer tabs, homemade disinfecting sprays, streak-free glass cleaner, natural dishwasher tabs, homemade dish soap, and soft-scrub cleaner made with essential oils.
Please join the community on social media to share tips and ideas.
Please note: Products mentioned on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your doctor for medical concerns.
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through certain links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.