Make your own antibacterial spray and more DIY disinfectant solutions

While many bacteria are harmless or even beneficial, there are some which we should take care to not come into contact with – particularly those from waste products or raw food, for example – that can make us ill. In areas such as the kitchen and bathroom where millions of germs and bacteria reside, it is important to do everything you can to keep on top of the cleaning and sanitising of areas you touch the most. Here we’ll show you how to make your own antibacterial spray or wipes for using around your home.

Key Steps:

• When making DIY disinfectant products use 100 proof vodka or 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

• Use essential oils like eucalyptus for their antibacterial properties.

• Add alcohol, vinegar and essential oils to a bottle and shake well to create a homemade sanitiser spray.

• Avoid using this cleaner on granite or marble surfaces.

Important facts about using a DIY disinfectant

Before we show you how to make your own disinfectant spray or wipes, here are a few facts you should know about using a DIY disinfectant.     

• Antibacterial products such as wipes, spray and soap are more effective and work faster when sanitising surfaces around your home than regular soap and water. They kill roughly 99% of the germs and bacteria found in your home.

• Whilst store-bought products contain a number of chemicals to kill off bacteria; creating a natural sanitiser using natural oils, such as lavender, citrus, tea tree, and eucalyptus, can help to reduce the number of harmful bacteria found around your home.

• The kitchen and the bathroom are two germ hotspots your DIY disinfecting wipes are perfect for. Use your antibacterial products to give them regular and thorough attention.

• Using a DIY all-purpose disinfectant cleaner can help you to keep other low-risk areas of your home such as the bedrooms and living room clean and hygienic.

How to use a homemade sanitiser spray, wipes, and other products safely

Making a homemade disinfectant spray, wipes or soap is only half the story, it is important you know how to use them safely with the following advice:

• Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

• Always keep your DIY sanitiser spray or wipes out of the reach of children.

• Never spray DIY disinfectant spray around children, to prevent them inhaling fumes or having the product come into contact with their skin.

• If you choose not to make your own DIY bathroom disinfectant spray, kitchen cleaner or wipes and opt for shop-bought instead; always read the label and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

How to make a DIY disinfectant spray with alcohol

From a homemade kitchen spray to one you can use to clean and disinfect your bathroom, living room and the rest of your home, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to make a homemade disinfectant spray for fabric, surfaces and more – because alcohol can do more than mix up a great cocktail.

What you need to make a DIY disinfectant

• 1 ½ cups of 100 proof vodka or 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol

• ½ cup of white vinegar

• 50-60 drops of your chosen essential oil such as lavender, citrus, tea tree, and eucalyptus

• A spray bottle or paper towel roll 

How to make your own disinfectant spray

1. Pour the alcohol into a spray bottle.

2. Add the essential oils.

3. Shake the bottle to combine the two ingredients as much as possible.

4. Next, add in the vinegar.

5. Shake the bottle again.

6. Now you can use your new DIY disinfectant spray pretty much anywhere in your home. Due to the vinegar content, avoid using it on specialist stone surfaces such as granite or marble.

7. If you want to make homemade disinfectant wipes instead, all you need to do is:

   • Place the alcohol solution you have made, into a bowl.     

   • Lay a paper towel roll in the solution.

   • Leave it to soak up the solution.

   • Once it has soaked up all the liquid, each paper towel square can be used as an antibacterial wipe.

   • Make sure you place it into a sealed container to prevent it from drying out.

If you’re a little short of time and can’t make up your own homemade disinfectant, antibacterial products like Cif will help you do an in-depth clean around your home.

Answers to all your homemade disinfectant questions

How often should I be disinfecting my home?

We recommend that you clean hotspots (i.e. your kitchen and bathroom) at least once a day. The rest of your home from bedroom to living room can be done once a week.

Why should I use a homemade kitchen disinfectant spray?

The kitchen is an area you are preparing the food you eat, and it is super important to keep it clean and hygienic. Some important reasons to use a DIY disinfectant in your kitchen include:

• Raw meats, fish, and eggs are known to carry germs.

• Soft cheeses, fruits, and even vegetables can harbour food-borne viruses.    

• E. coli and salmonella are just two examples of bacteria that can be picked up from food, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, among other symptoms.

Why should I use a homemade disinfectant bathroom cleaner?

Along with the kitchen, your bathroom is one of the biggest hotspots for germs and bacteria to breed and multiply in their millions. Reasons you need to keep it clean and sanitised include:  

• Waste products in the bathroom contain many harmful germs, so it is important to clean most touches areas such as taps and door handles.   

• Warm, damp environments are the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria, and they can multiply faster here than almost any other area of your home.

What can I use antibacterial spray, soap, or wipes for?

There are a few key uses for your antibacterial products which include:

• Antibacterial soap is great for cleaning your hands in the bathroom after using the loo, as well as in the kitchen where you handle raw meat.

• Antibacterial wipes are quick and easy to grab and use for wiping flat surfaces such as kitchen counters, spillages on tables and even wiping down your fridge.

• Antibacterial spray is the perfect product for cleaning those hard to reach areas or tricky areas such as door handles and toilet flushes.

Antibacterial spray can also easily be used on flat surfaces such as kitchen counters, although you’ll need to ensure you also have a cloth to hand, which is why many prefer the convenience of the antibacterial wipes.

So, from why to how you now have all the information you need about making your own homemade disinfectant wipes and spray with ease.