Homemade Sanitizing Wipes

I made my own sanitizing wipes (similar to Chlorox or Lysol wipes) using doTERRA essential oils.  By using the essential oils I was able to make these wipe for significantly less than buying a tub of wipes AND they are safe and effective.  These are wipes I can comfortably allow my children to use nor do I have to wait to let the residue left behind dry before letting my children touch the surface.  There are no unnecessary chemical ingredients.  In fact there are really only two ingredients!

By using doTERRA's On Guard proprietary blend, I am confident that these wipes will effectively remove all bacteria from the surface.  On Guard contains Cinnamon, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Wild Orange.  Here is a study showing On Guard's ability to kill MRSA.

Here are the instructions for making your own wipes:

What you need:

• 1 roll of select-a-size paper towels ($7.99/8 rolls = $1.00/roll = $0.50 for half)
• 2 cups warm water, distilled or purified (1 gallon = $1.09/16 cups in a gallon = $0.07 x 2 = $0.14)
• 6 drops On Guard essential oil, or 3 drops On Guard and 3 drops Lemon (On Guard = $0.13/drop x 6 = $0.78; On Guard = $0.13 x 3 = $$0.39 + Lemon = $0.04/drop x 3 = $0.12 = $0.51)
• Plastic tub from commercial wipes (cleaned thoroughly) (sunk cost)

Total cost of supplies: $1.15 - $1.42, depending on which oil combination you choose.

1.  Cut the roll of paper towels in half using a serrated knife, and remove the inner cardboard.

2.  Insert half the paper towel roll into the cleaned plastic tub.  Save the other half to make baby wipes (see post coming soon), or to make more sanitizing wipes.

3.  Combine 2 cups warm distilled or purified water with 6 drops On Guard essential oil (or 3 drops On Guard and 3 drops Lemon).

4.  Pour water and oil combination over the paper towels.  Distribute evenly, to prevent any section of wipes from being dry.

5.  Allow paper towels at least 1 hour to absorb solution.  It may take longer.

6.  When solution has absorbed completely, pull the middle wipe out of the top and feed through the lid.  This will allow the wipes to continuously dispense until gone.

Here is my finished product:

I used scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, and spray adhesive to brighten up the look of my new wipes.  I also included a tag on the back of the tub with instructions on how to make these again so I will not have to track down the recipe online again when I run out!

In addition to making a full-size version of this, I also used a smaller wipes container to make a travel version.  I waited until I had used half a roll of paper towels before cutting and then cut the recipe in half.

If you are interested in learning more about doTERRA Essential Oils, sign up for this FREE e-book: 101 Uses for Essential Oils.

Coming Soon...

Hey there!  Sorry I have not been posting like I said I would, I have been letting the day-to-day things in my life takeover.  No more!  I am determined to keep up-to-date with this blog by posting at minimum once per week.  I am currently working on a couple of posts to be published later this week/weekend.  So here are the coming attractions:

Recipes and price comparisons on homemade cleaners using essential oils

My menu plan for clean eating for two weeks that are budget friendly

Hope you all are having a good week :)

Megan

Do-It-Yourself Ant Repellant

With all the rain we have been experiencing lately here in Wichita, I found a few ants creeping into my home.  Watching my oldest son walk around with a paper towel trying to get them, I decided I should see if there was a way to use my essential oils to prevent them from coming in.  Sure enough, I found just the cure!  I have sprayed the offending window and have not seen one ant since.  I will probably spray again in the morning just to ensure they do not return.  The best part is, I do not have to worry about keeping my children away from that window because there are no harmful chemicals involved.

What you need:

• 1/4 cup Grapeseed oil, or another carrier oil ($9.95 at local health food store)
• 20 drops dōTerra Essential Lemongrass Oil, more about lemongrass ($13.33 purchased here)
• a 2 oz or larger spray bottle ($0.97 at Walmart)

 In the spray bottle combine 1/4 cup of grapeseed oil with 20 drops of lemongrass oil.  Shake well and spray area where ants enter (I sprayed in and around the window, and don't forget to get underneath any ledges).  Remember to shake before each use, as the oils will separate from each other.

That's it!  It really is that simple and completely safe to have your children or pets around immediately!