During the pandemic, conventional store bought cleaning wipes became very useful for wiping high-touch surfaces in and out of our homes. However studies have shown that some commercial household products, including these types of cleaning wipes, can induce respiratory and other health problems. If this is the case, what is the best alternative? Can you make non-toxic cleaning wipes?
Non-toxic cleaning wipes make it easy and safe to clean your home without harming anyone in your household. They are specifically designed to clean the surfaces of your house without the use of harmful chemicals. Unlike brand-name store-bought cleaning wipes, often made of harsh ingredients, non-toxic alternatives are free from allergens and toxins.
Want to switch to an eco-friendly and safe way of cleaning your home? In this post, we look at what is in conventional cleaning wipes, what is in non-toxic cleaning wipes, and how to make them.
Are Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes Safe to Use?
Non-toxic cleaning wipes don’t contain harsh ingredients like bleach or ammonia, making them safe for use around your family and pets. Store-bought sanitizing wipes are usually made of strong chemicals that can kill viruses and bacteria but may cause side effects like skin irritation and other health issues when using them.
Eco-friendly products like non-toxic wipes make cleaning our home easier. They are safe and efficient for the environment in and out of our home.
Do Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes Disinfect?
When it comes to safety and efficiency, non-toxic cleaning wipes are great to use for cleaning. But depending on what type of non-toxic wipes you are using, some may not be sufficient to eradicate bacteria and germs.
As mentioned earlier, conventional cleaning wipes contain strong chemicals that are designed to kill viruses. However, this cleaning solution, while convenient to use, can cause issues in our home, health, and the environment.
For example, according to the EWG page for Lysol disinfecting wipes. It has received a score of D, due to its ingredients and their health side effects.
How to Make Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes for Babies
Baby wipes are convenient. However, lots of them you buy at the store are not biodegradable. They often end up in the ocean or landfills, polluting our planet.
However, you can minimize waste by creating your own baby wipes. They are not only non-toxic, but they are reusable.
Things you’ll need:
- Fabric (bamboo fabric / organic cotton flannel)
- Water (either distilled, cooled, or warm)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Unscented Castille soap
- Coconut oil
- Pure aloe vera
- Essential oil (optional)
- Jar
- Stasher bag
Instructions
- Mix all wet ingredients in a jar and shake them gently.
- Place about 5 to 8 fabric or wipes in a Stasher bag. Pour the wipe solution from Step 1 to soak into the fabric.
- Knead and squish the bag to ensure that the wipes are saturated.
- Push out excess air from the bag and seal it. Your baby wipes are now ready to use!
How to Make Non-Toxic Wipes for Adults
Wipes aren’t just for babies! Adults also use wipes to clean their hands, the kitchen counter, or wipe down the car. Here’s how you can use non-toxic cleaning wipes for adults.
Things you’ll need:
- 1 roll of paper towels
- Distilled water
- Household cleaner (any plant-based brand)
- Essential oil (optional)
- Coffee Can (large enough for a roll of paper towels)
Instructions
- Cut the roll of paper towel in half and put them in the coffee can.
- Combine the wet ingredients in a jar and shake it to mix well.
- Pour the mixture into your towel roll. Pop the lid and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
- Remove the paper core from the towel. Don’t make a hole in the lid; otherwise, your paper towels will dry quickly. You can now use paper towels as wipes!
How to Make Non-Toxic Wipes for Dogs
Dogs are playful, and it is inevitable for them to get dirty and messy. So you need wipes to clean your pet’s paws as a fur parent. Just like you can make adult and baby wipes, you can also make non-toxic cleaning wipes for your beloved dogs.
Things you’ll need:
- Roll of paper towels
- Water
- Coconut oil
- Liquid soap
- Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
- Essential oil (optional
- Jar
- Canister
Instructions
- Combine all wet ingredients. You can beat it with a spoon like you would beat an egg to mix the ingredients well.
- Cut the paper towels in half. Remove the paper roll inside the paper towel.
- Put the paper towel in the canister.
- Pour the mixture into the canister and wait until the paper towel soaks into the solution.
- Put on the lid to close the canister. Your non-toxic dog wipes are ready to use!
How to Make Non-Toxic Wipes for Cats
Cats can groom themselves. They use their tongue and claws to keep them clean, sleek and smooth. However, there are times, for instance, when they have mobility issues or they leave a hair ball or mess on the floor for you to clean up. Here’s how to make non-toxic wipes for them.
Things you’ll need:
- Bamboo towel
- Alcohol (to clean cats) / vinegar (to clean cats’ mess)
- Scissors
- Tupperware container
Instructions:
- Cut the bamboo towels in half with scissors so you will have a pile of wipes the same size as your regular wipes.
- Stack the towel in a Tupperware container.
- Pour white vinegar or alcohol on the stack of towels soaking them.
These wipes are great for cleaning your cats, dirt, messes, and the floor.
How to Make Non-Toxic Wipes for Glasses
Do you wear eyeglasses often? Or does someone in the family wear them? Well, it’s time that you make a safe cleaning wipe for their eyewear. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating non-toxic wipes for glasses.
Unlike other DIY hacks above, this one doesn’t necessarily need wipes to soak in the cleaning mixture. You only need to spritz the cleaner onto the eyewear and use a separate cotton ball to clean it up.
Things you’ll need:
- Soft cotton balls (cloth)
- Water
- Liquid dish soap
- Small cup
- Spritzer bottle
Instructions
- Put water in a jar.
- Add a few drops of liquid dish soap and mix.
- Pour the cleaning solution into a spritzer bottle. Done!
How to Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes Effectively
Making non-toxic cleaning wipes requires time and effort. In contrast, the eco-friendly ones you can buy in the store are usually more expensive than the conventional wipes. So, try not to waste them.
To make the most out of your eco-friendly wipes, here are some tips you might want to follow:
- Read the Instructions before use
Make sure to read the instructions of the product before you use it. This will ensure that you use the wipes properly and get the best results.
- Test them before using
Whether you’re using the wipes for skin or to clean surfaces, it’s ideal to test them on small areas first. This will ensure that you won’t have skin reactions, or it won’t discolor or damage that surface.
- Use Gently
When using it on skin or surfaces, use gentle pressure to allow natural ingredients to work efficiently. You don’t need excessive scrubbing when using it.
- Dispose Properly
Dispose of the wipes in an appropriate trash bin or follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to dispose of them. Some wipes are biodegradable and compostable, while some are disposed of in regular trash.
- Store in Cool and Dry Place
Store the wipes in a cool and dry place to maintain their effectiveness. They should not be exposed to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.
Conclusion
We all look forward to a germ-free home, but if you’re an environment and health-conscious person, you would love to have a toxic-free home.
These non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning wipes will make your home and your family cleaner and healthier. You can remove all the mess and germs with only a few non-toxic ingredients with these homemade wipes.
Now that the pandemic has died down try non-toxic cleaning in your home and see how you feel.
If you want to know more about non-toxic cleaning, read our article – “Say Goodbye to Harmful Chemicals: Explore the World of Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaning”
