Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Cleaning and Thank Yous


First, I want to say thank you to all the wonderful blogs out there who featured my projects in the last two weeks (sorry -- I'm still a little behind from being out of town)  So here they are; the folks that made my day and shared my little crafts and improvements:

Remodelaholic

Fireflies & Jellybeans

Shanty 2 Chic

Tatertots & Jello

The CSI Project

Simpsonized Crafts

Cottage Instincts

House of Grace


And secondly, I got quite a few emails and comments yesterday asking about the Tupperware of homemade disinfecting wipes that I keep in fancy new "broom closet".

I'll give you the disclaimer first though. :)  This is a mixture made with Lysol -- I'm not promoting Lysol, nor do I think it's the BEST way to disinfect -- it's just one of the cheapest options I've found.  I decided to try this becuase I seriously was spending a small fortune on buying Clorox and Lysol wipes from the store every week and it was getting a little ridiculous -- but they are SO convenient that I couldn't give them up.  And I don't know that I'd recommend these homemade wipes for sticky fingers and faces -- I just use them for the counters and other places that the messes appear on.  So, all that being said, it's time for the run down on how to make these things.

What You'll Need:

Concentrated Lysol
Papertowels
Rubbermaid Containers
Boiling Water

Directions:

1.  Fold your paper towels.  There are two ways you can do this:  a) fold up about 70-80 paper towels (regular size or more if you are using make-a-size) into whatever size fits into your Rubbermaid container (it's an easy thing to do when you're on the phone or watching TV).  You may need to split this between two containers if yours isn't big enough -- that's what I do and then I split the liquid mixture in half too; 

or b) cut a roll of paper towels in half and put them into a cleaned out container (I've heard a left over Folger's Coffee container works really well).

2.  Bring two cups of water to a boil.

3.  Add 1/4 cup of concentrated Lysol and immediately remove from heat.

4.  Let the liquid cool slightly, and then pour over your paper towels. (if you're using the half roll method, take out the cardboard out when it's soggy and then pull your homemade wipes out starting at the center).

As I'm typing up these directions I'm thinking I should start doing the "half roll" method -- it seems a lot easier!  I'm going to have to find some sort of round container now! :)

15 Hand-Me-Downers Shared:

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

What a great idea Amanda! I've been tempted to buy these in the past, but couldn't bring myself to pay such a ridiculous price.

I used to make homemade baby wipes this way (no lysol LOL!). I used a round baby wipe container to put them in...not sure if they still make those containers or not? It worked great and was so much cheaper.

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Oh...I meant to say that I cut the paper towels in half like you mentioned. It's harder than it looks. I found using my large, serrated, bread knife worked the best.

Katie @ the copper coconut said...

HURRAY! I have been buying those darn expensive lysol wipes too. Thank you for sharing! I'm probably going to use an old lysol wipe container with your half a roll method.

Roo @ NiceGirlNotes said...

Amanda, I've heard of people using an electric turkey carving knife to cut them in half. Easy peasy! :)

I'm a sucker for those Clorox wipes. I need to find something nontoxic because I've got ankle biters at home. :)

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

You may seriously be my hero!! I love what you've posted here - especially the broom closet. I've been looking for cute contact paper for months - should have thought of Target!!! I've got to follow you!!!

Unknown said...

Just stopping by from Tag Along Tuesday! I love this idea for making your own cleaning wipes! Might have to try it, just not with Lysol, the smell of it brings back bad memories of childhood episodes of throwing up, and mom cleaning with the pine scented Lysol. I gives me that instant gag reflex. But it sounds like it could be done with other cleaners as well. Thanks for sharing! Also, thanks for stopping at Kensington Cottage!

Cait @ Hernando House said...

This is great, thanks! I may need to start doing this with our Mrs Meyer's, since I can't find the wipes in the scent I like anymore. If I try this I'll definitely post about it on our blog.

Marty said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for sharing this recipe=) I'm gonna have to try it for sure!! I'm like you, I HAVE to have the wipes but they cost so much.
I used to make homemade baby wipes when my daughter was a baby=)

Anonymous said...

I love this tutorial...I may have to try it with my natural disinfectant that I make...I hope it works!

Thanks for your kind comments on my cage to photo display:)

Tina said...

Good stuff, Thanks!
T

Jenna Scott said...

I think I'm going to have to try your DIY wipes. I just made a media center and was planning on making a cleaning bin for it (which was later recognized as a bad idea since I have dogs, duh me!) but still need a disinfectant that doesn't cost millions.

Kyra @ RACKS and Mooby said...

Great idea.... I may have to try it! We go through cleaning wipes at a ridiculous rate in our house!

Kristin said...

I can't wait to try this! Thanks for the idea. I'm going to use a baby wipe container, if you cut the roll in half they pull out great and you can tear off how ever many you need.

Lindy said...

What a cool idea -- I've got to try it. If you could just come up with a way to get my husband to use them...
L.

Andrea @ Simple Organized Living said...

I've been using the "half roll" metod for a few years now...they work great (also good for homemade baby wipes, although I'd alter the formula for those!!

I actually use a Rubbermaid ice-cream container -- the round kind. It fits my paper towel rolls perfectly.

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one crazy enough to cut and/or fold paper towels!!!

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