DIY Methods of Making Disinfecting Spray Cleaners

Disinfection has become the need of the hour. 

To protect your home against the deadly virus, deep cleaning and disinfecting is a must. It is the only way to keep ourselves and our family safe. However, nothing comes with a guarantee of killing 100% bacterial germs or virus, not even the store-bought disinfecting products. 

If you are looking for a non-toxic, powerful disinfectant cleaner, just DIY! Yes, you can effortlessly prepare disinfectant cleaning spray in a few easy steps and with simple ingredients at home. 

You can create home versions of disinfecting cleaners in a nice bulk quantity without causing you a hole in your pocket. Whether it is table top, kitchen top, door knobs, toilet, sink, light switches,  carpet rugs, handles, surfaces, naturally sanitize everything at your home.   

Here are some DIY easy disinfectant cleaners that you can spray all over your home and keep your abode germ free:

Use of alcohol in disinfection

According to a study, alcohol is very effective on germs and bacteria. Any disinfectant cleaner that contains at least 70% of alcohol is proven to be effective on viruses and other germs that settle down easily on surfaces. 

Alcohol such as ethanol which is generally consumed and isopropyl alcohol that is most commonly known as rubbing alcohol, both can be used as a key ingredient in your disinfectant spray. 

• Everclear is said to contain 92.4% ethanol 
• Spirytus vodka is said to contain 96% alcohol
• Golden grain is said to contain 95% alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol bottle that comes with label

• 70% rubbing alcohol
• 91% rubbing alcohol
• 99% rubbing alcohol

are all proven to possess excellent germ-killing properties.

Use of essentials oils in disinfection

The amazing aromatherapy and the incredible natural disinfecting properties of essential oils make it the best ingredient to be included in preparing DIY disinfectant cleaner spray. The anti-microbial properties of essential oils kill the bad odour and make the home ambience fresh and welcoming. 

Essential oils and its properties 

Tea tree essential oil – antiviral, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal

Lavender essential oil – antispasmodic, antibacterial, calming and soothing

Lemon essential oil – antiviral, antibacterial

Orange essential oil – antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal

Eucalyptus essential oil – antibacterial, disinfect 

Cinnamon essential oil – antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, antioxidant

Clove essential oil – antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, prevents cough

Rosemary essential oil – antioxidant, antiinflammatory, relaxing 

Thyme essential oil – antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial

Let’s now focus on making DIY cleaning recipes.

#1 

Necessary ingredients:

• ¾ cup of distilled water 
• ¼ cup of white vinegar 
• ¼ cup of alcohol 
• 15 drops of tea tree, lemon and lavender essential oils
• Spray bottle 

Method 

• Pour all the ingredients mentioned above in a spray bottle
• You can pour the vinegar using a funnel
• Once poured, put on the spray top
• Shake well, so that all ingredients blend well
• Before each use, you need to gently shake the spray bottle 

#2 

Necessary ingredients 

• 16 oz glass spray bottle
• Ethanol or running alcohol ( quantity that fills more than half of the bottle)
• ½ teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide
• Essential oils – 30 drops tea tree essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil and 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil (or any of the other essential oils mentioned above)

Method 

• Pour all the ingredients above in a spray bottle
• Mix well by shaking the bottle gently 
• Before each use, you need to gently shake the spray bottle

Homemade bleaching solution 

You can create a homemade diluted bleaching solution by using bleach that contains around 5.25% to 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. 

For per gallon room temperature water, you can add 5 tablespoons of bleach. For per quarter room temperature water, you can add 4 teaspoons of bleach. You can also add alcohol content 

(that contains more than 70% of alcohol). 

Note – Never add any cleanser or ammonia to the bleach solution prepared at home.  

Check the expiry date of the bleach before use.

Make sure there is proper ventilation when you use the bleach solution. 

Foaming citrus soap 

Just like spray, you can also make antibacterial foaming soap at home. Unlike other soap solutions, Castile soaps leave less residue on surfaces. Hence, it can be used as a disinfecting cleaner.  

Necessary ingredients

• Water 
• Fragrance-free liquid soap (¼ bottle should be filled)
• 7 drops of lime or lemon essential oil
• 3 drops of tea tree essential oil
• Foaming soap pump

Method 

• Add the soap to the foaming pump bottle. Make sure it fills up to ¼ of the bottle
• Now add the lime and tea tree essential oils 
• Add water but do not fill the bottle completely. Leave enough headspace so that you can easily foam the soap
• Finally, put the pump on to the bottle and give it a swirl gently
• Your disinfectant foaming soap is ready

How to use the disinfecting spray

• Before each use, gently shake the spray bottle
• Pre-clean the surface or property with a soft or micro fiber cloth
• Spray enough cleaning solution on the counter, doorknobs, table top or faucets
• In case of electrical items like light switches or remote controls, spray the disinfectant cleaner on the cloth first and then wipe the item with that cloth
• Let the cleaner settle for around 5 to 10 minutes 
• The surface will get dried automatically 

Disinfecting spray for laundry and fabrics 

Before using the cleaning solution on fabric, spot test it on any inconspicuous spot and then spray. You can use it if it doesn’t cause any negative effect. Spray the solution on the fabric until it appears slightly damp. The fabric will be wet for around 30 seconds. Let it air dry. 

You can also use liquid soap and water solution to clean the laundry and fabric items like bedsheets, sofa, sofa covers, curtains etc. 

Ready to make you own DIY disinfectant cleaner? It’s quite easy to make at home, isn’t it? Save money as well as keep yourself and your family safe during such pandemic situations by disinfecting your home. 

*Though the above DIY cleaning recipes are effective against most of the germs and bacteria, none of them guarantees to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.