DIY Disinfectant Spray (DIY Lysol Spray)

This super easy and cheap DIY disinfectant spray (like Lysol spray) is great at killing germs and uses way simpler ingredients than store-bought.

Prep: 10

Cook: 0

Total: 10

Yield:16 ounces

3 ½ ounces distilled water
½ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
30-45 drops preferred essential oil blend optional, see Notes
12 ounces 95% ethanol (ethyl alcohol) more or less as needed to fill bottle, see Notes

Fit spray bottle with funnel, then pour 3 ½ ounces distilled water and ½ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide into spray bottle. Drop in desired essential oil blend if using.
If using essential oils, add 30-45 drops preferred essential oil blend to spray bottle.
Fill remainder of bottle with approximately 12 ounces 95% ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Secure nozzle on spray bottle and close tightly, then shake bottle vigorously to combine ingredients.
Use prepared spray on desired surfaces as needed. Let spray sit on surface 10 minutes before wiping clean.

95% Ethyl Alcohol: Use a high proof/high percent ABV grain alcohol like 190-proof Everclear, 190-proof Golden Grain, or a vodka that is at least 140 proof.
Continue to use germ-fighting best practices as recommended by the CDC, such as regular, proper hand-washing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, etc. Visit their site for more information.
You must absolutely make sure your mixture is MINIMUM 60% alcohol, or it will not be effective. See below for guides to calculate the alcohol content of your mixture.

My mathematician friend wrote an equation for calculating the desired final alcohol percentage, so check out his super helpful walk-through if you need help.
For other types of alcohol, use this online calculator to help you know how much water to use. This calculator produces a 75% alcohol, and we do not use as much hydrogen peroxide in our recipe as the calculator. However, it is generally very helpful in knowing about how much water you can to use.

Note: Use just 1 oil or a combination of a few. I don't recommend using all of these in one batch of spray.

Disclaimer: We are NOT chemists, doctors, or medical professionals. We do not play them on the internet. We are simply sharing a recipe for an alcohol-based cleaning spray that we've used for years and hope others will enjoy.