Simple DIY All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaners

Viruses are aplenty out there. During peak times, trying to find cleaning products like Lysol wipes and multi-purpose cleaners can be hard. Thankfully, you have disinfectants already in your pantry. Learn how to use hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, white vinegar and even alcohol to create DIY all-purpose cleaners to wipe out germs.

What You Can Use to Disinfect Naturally?

When it comes to disinfecting your home naturally, there are a few prime disinfecting cleaners that are out there. They can be used alone or together to really get rid of those nasty virus and bacteria germs that cause SARS, coronavirus, H1N1 virus, staph and more. The best natural, non-toxic disinfectant cleaners include:

• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• High proof vodka (even cheap vodka)
• White vinegar

These are your best natural disinfectants that are going to work to wipe out bacteria and germs that can make you sick. They are also safe for use around children and pets. Now that you know the basics, check out a few DIY all-purpose disinfectant cleaners that you can make with products right in your pantry.

Other Materials You'll Need

Since those are the best natural disinfectants, most of the DIY cleaners will be using these different materials. Beyond your disinfectants, you'll need:

• 70% isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol (substitute for vodka)
• Dawn antibacterial (other antibacterial dish soap)
• Glass or plastic spray bottle (glass is preferred)
• Essential oils (tea tree, thyme, cinnamon have some of the highest antiviral properties)
• Lemon juice
• Castille soap

DIY All-Pupose Cleaner With Alcohol

For this recipe, you'll grab the vodka and some essential oils. If you don't have vodka on hand, you can use rubbing alcohol as a substitute.

1. In a glass or plastic spray bottle, fill about 1/3 of it with vodka.
2. Fill another 1/3 with hot water.
3. Add 30-50 drops of tea tree, thyme or cinnamon essential oil.
4. Fill the remaining third with vinegar.
5. Shake well.
6. Spray down any surfaces that you need to clean.
7. Let it dry for a few minutes.
8. Use a rag to wipe.

You will want to be careful using this around granite or marble surfaces, but it is safe for general antibacterial and viral cleaning. Additionally, you can also choose to substitute rubbing alcohol, but remember to use caution since it can be irritating if breathed in or ingested.

Narural Homemade Cleaner With Alcohol and Castille Soap

If you are looking for something that is safe to use on your granite counters, then you'll want to know how make cleaner out of alcohol and Castille soap. For this homemade disinfectant cleaner, you'll:

1. Grab a spray bottle, preferably glass but plastic works in a pinch.
2. Mix 1/2 cup vodka and about 1-1/2 cups of hot water in the bottle. It doesn't have to be exact, but use the bottle to guide you. You're looking for about 1 part vodka to 3 parts water.
3. Add a teaspoon of Castille soap and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil. (If you don't like the smell of tea tree oil, you can add a little lavender to counteract the smell.)
4. Give it a little shake to mix.
5. Spray down your surfaces and let sit for a few minutes to get rid of all those nasty germs
6. Wipe down any surfaces with a clean towel or rag.

If you don't have essential oils on hand, these recipes will work without them. The main power fighter is the alcohol.

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner With Dawn

Dawn is a powerful cleaner. Add a little disinfecting help and you have a powerful DIY all-purpose cleaner that will wipe out viruses in no time flat. This recipe can be used with rubbing alcohol or vinegar, it just depends on what you have on hand.

1. To make your life easier, grab a spray bottle.
2. Mix 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or vinegar with 2-3 cups of hot water.
3. Add 2-3 squirts of Dawn antibacterial soap.
4. Give it a little shake.
5. Start disinfecting anything from your counters to your bathroom surfaces.

The acidity of vinegar can deteriorate the sealant in granite and marble; therefore, you'll want to avoid using this recipe on these surfaces if you choose to use vinegar.

Easy Disinfectant Cleaner With Essential Oils

Essential oils are a great way to disinfect if you have them on hand. Not only can you dispense them in the air, but there are multiple cleaning recipes out there that utilize essential oils. For this recipe, you'll need to follow these steps.

1. In a spray bottle, pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vinegar.
2. Add 20 or so drops of cinnamon essential oil or thyme. You can also use tea tree in a pinch.
3. Fill with hot water.
4. Give it a shake to mix it and spray.
5. Allow the mixture to sit on surfaces for 1-2 minutes.
6. Use the rag to wipe down any surfaces.

When it comes to essential oils, using a glass spray bottle is best since the oils can break down the plastic. But in a pinch, plastic will work.

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner With Peroxide

When it comes to using hydrogen peroxide to get rid of bacteria and viruses on surfaces, you don't have to mix it with anything. That's right, you can add a spray top and voila! However, if you are looking to get a little more bang for your buck, learn how to make this disinfectant spray with a fresh lemony scent.

1. In a spray bottle, create a 2:1 ratio of water to peroxide. So if you use 1 cup of peroxide, use 2 cups of water.
2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice. (Lemon essential oil can be used here too.)
3. Mix together with a little shake.
4. Spray down surfaces and let it sit for a few minutes until the bubbles die down.
5. Wipe with a rag.

DIY Cleaners Can Get Rid of Germs

During the cold and flu season, it can be really important to make sure that your house is disinfected properly. If you don't want to waste your money on cleaners or they just aren't available, you can use items that you have at home as alternatives. Now that you know how to make homemade disinfectant cleaners, get cleaning.