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I have a new DIY DISINFECTING SPRAY recipe for you. This is a stronger version of the All-Purpose Disinfecting Spray that I have been sharing for years. It’s still one of my favorites and yours too! It has germ removing capabilities but I thought with the state of everything and with the availability of certain ingredients, I wanted to share a stronger, but still safe and Natural Disinfecting Spray with you. Ready?
In order to disinfect with alcohol, you need a final mixture that is made up of at least 60% alcohol – that’s why I recommend using Everclear with 95% alcohol. We don’t drink Everclear, I only use it for cleaning. It’s similar to vodka – it’s clear and is a grain alcohol so it’s ‘non-toxic’. For your reference, Vodka has a 40-60% alcohol content which is why I add vinegar and essential oil to it to up its germ-killing qualities for my original All-Purpose Disinfecting spray recipe.
Please note: If Everclear isn’t available in your state, look for vodka that is at least 60% alcohol and don’t dilute it with water.
I have 2 versions for you – if you don’t mind the smell of vinegar or are cleaning most surfaces, you might prefer this version. If you are disinfecting stone surfaces – marble, granite, quartz – you don’t want to use any vinegar on those surfaces because vinegar can etch away at the surface of your stone. The Natural Disinfecting Spray without vinegar is my favorite – I like the little bit of soap in the solution. The soap adds a surfactant to break up dirt and grease, similarly to what vinegar does but without the smell.
As always, spot check your surface in an inconspicuous spot – alcohol works best on hard surfaces like bathrooms and kitchens, not unsealed or porous wood.
NATURAL DISINFECTING SPRAY (without vinegar)
1 cup Everclear (look for one with 95% alcohol)
2/3 cup water
1 -2 drops dish soap
15 drops essential oil – I use lemon (optional)
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle, shake and spray on surfaces you wish to disinfect. Spray thoroughly to saturate surface and allow to sit for 10 minutes to disinfect surfaces.
NATURAL DISINFECTING SPRAY (with white vinegar)
1 cup Everclear (look for one with 95% alcohol)
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup white vinegar
15 drops essential oil – I use lemon (optional)
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle, shake and spray on surfaces you wish to disinfect. Spray thoroughly to saturate surface and allow to sit for 10 minutes to disinfect surfaces.
Where can you use this DIY Natural Disinfecting Spray? Any hard surface that needs disinfection! You can try both or whichever now you prefer or have the ingredients for. If you use the vinegar-based recipe, just don’t use it on stone surfaces.
SOURCES:
Labels, sprayers, glass spray bottles can be found here.
Clean Mama Dish Soap can be found here.
Cleaning cloths can be found here.
Essential oils can be found here.
Cleaning favorites page is here.
Amazon favorites page is here.
Clean Mama Books are here.
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Autumn Says...
For this new recipe, could you use Castille soap instead of dish soap? Thanks so much for sharing your diy recipes. I love that I can clean my house with things from the pantry and not have to worry about chemicals getting all over me or my home.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYes!
doris Wilsonn Says...
Could you use everlcean alcohol with a higher than the 95% proof and use more water?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorFor sure!
Jan Says...
Becky, thank you so very much for this recipe & post! I have been unable to find rubbing alcohol anywhere. I bought the cheapest vodka I could find & thought I was disinfecting. I checked the alcohol content & yep, only 40%. Great information & so helpful! I added the vinegar to compensate. Thanks again for equivalent alternatives until rubbing alcohol is readily available again!????????????
Daniella Says...
Hi, love your cleaning recipes have been using them for over a year now. I have always substituted rubbing alcohol for the disinfecting cleaner. To substitute for this new one what percentage of rubbing alcohol do you recommend and the amount?
Thank you for sharing all your natural recipes!
Sharon Scholfield Says...
California does not sell Everclear higher than 120 Proof, 60% alcohol by volume by law. How shall I adjust (or not) your recipe? Thank you
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorDon’t dilute with water.
Dani Says...
If substituting for 70% rubbing alcohol, should you still dilute with water or add more vinegar?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorNo dilution is necessary.
linda johnson Says...
everclear is NOT sold in michigan. my friend, in wisconsin can buy it. but, he does NOT drink! weird how things are available everywhere in one state and not the next.
Alison Says...
Our state distillers guild is now selling large bottles of “hand sanitizer” (70% ethanol) in response to COVID. I use it to make DIY hand sanitizer and substitute it for rubbing alcohol in these recipes!
Thank you for your work Becky ????
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Shawn Says...
I only could find 151 Everclear. Can I still use this recipe? I like the idea of adding the water and vinegar too.
Can I skip the essential oils. Not found of scents, since I’m sensitive to them, including the natural ones.
Thank You Kindly!
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYes and yes!
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Casey Says...
Could 99% rubbing alcohol be used in place of the everclear?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYes!