Make Your Own Disinfectant Spray – DIY “Lysol” Recipe

*Please note: this cleaner has not been lab-tested. Use good judgment and always practice good hand-washing and house cleaning hygiene. 

Are you used to using Lysol to clean your home? Can’t find any at the store? Read on to learn how to make your own disinfectant spray or DIY “Lysol” recipe and let me know how you like it!

Bleach

Solutions made of regular ol’ bleach can be used to disinfect, if appropriate for the surface.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using bleach and make sure you’re in a space with proper ventilation.

Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser!

To make a DIY bleach cleaner, mix:

• 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
  OR
• 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Leave DIY bleach mixture on the surface for at least 1 minute.

Alcohol

Any DIY cleaners or disinfectants need to contain at least 70% alcohol. (Conversely, hand sanitizer needs to contain at minimum 60% alcohol.)

See below for making reusable disinfectant wipes. 

Where to Find Alcohol

I know that a lot of places have recently been sold out of rubbing alcohol, so even making your own disinfectant wipes can be tricky. 

Here are some suggestions of places to look for alcohol:

• your local grocery store
• the drugstore/pharmacies
• your corner store
• online places like amazon (they have been working to reduce price gouging and to increase stock of essential items)
• ULINE
• office supply stores, like Staples
• Walmart
• Target
• hardware stores

Vinegar

Vinegar is a great disinfectant for many surfaces including bathrooms, kitchens, and even fruits and veggies. The only downside really is the smell.

TIP: Avoid using vinegar on granite, marble, stone floors or surfaces, hardwood floors, and iron. The acid in the vinegar can break down the natural stone, wood, and iron. [source]

CDC Recommendations

According to the CDC (March 2020), you want to use an alcohol that is at least 70% alcohol to disinfect surfaces.

The alcohol can either be ethanol (the alcohol you drink) or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

Why Use Essential Oils?

Some essential oils are said to have antiviral properties, along with antibacterial and antifungal properties.

An article in the American Journal of Essential Oils and Natural Products suggests that some essential oils may help fight flu viruses, though more research is necessary [source1,  source2].

However, I’m including a list of possible antiviral/antibacterial/antifungal essential oils here, in case you’d like to add them to your wipes for their scent or potential anti-germ properties: 

• bergamot oil
• eucalyptus oil
• red thyme
• cinnamon leaf
• lemon
• rosemary
• peppermint
• tea tree

How to Make Your Own Disinfectant Spray (a.k.a. Lysol Spray)

*Please note: this cleaner has not been lab-tested. Use good judgment and always practice good hand-washing and house cleaning hygiene. 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces alcohol 
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops lemon essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree essential oil
• 7 drops rosemary essential oil

Materials

• amber glass spray bottle
• funnel (optional)

Instructions

1. Start by adding the eight ounces of alcohol to a spray bottle container of your choice.

2. Now all you have to do is add in the drops of all the essential oils!

3. Close your container tightly and shake well until everything is mixed together.

How to Use the Make Your Own Disinfectant Spray

1. Clean the surface first, if it’s visually dirty.
2. Shake the bottle.
3. Spray and let it sit for several minutes to air dry. 

*Always test on an inconspicuous surface for colorfastness!

What to Use Disinfectant Cleaner On

This make-your-own disinfectant cleaner comes in especially handy during cold and flu season.

Use it to wipe down hard surfaces like:

• stair railings
• door knobs
• light switches (spray on a cloth first, not directly on switch)
• faucets
• taps
• sink
• bathtubs
• toilets

You could also spray it onto soft surfaces like couches, chairs, rugs, and curtains. 

Looking for Disinfecting WIPES?

Want another way to easily disinfect your home?

Find my recipe for homemade Lysol and Clorox wipes here.

They’re easy to make and super convenient to use around your home as well as portable (if you put them in a Ziploc) to take with you to disinfect shopping carts, restaurant tables, and more.

More DIY Cleaner Recipes

• Make Your Own Odor Eliminator Spray 
• DIY Toilet Bombs
• Streak Free Glass Cleaner
• 12 Uses for Vinegar 
• Make Your Own Homemade Laundry Soap

Have you tried this make your own disinfectant spray yet? If so, what’s your favorite part? If not, what’s stopping you so far?