Charlotte On The Cheap

Live well in the Queen City on a budget

Winner announced for new Attainable Sustainable book (plus learn how to make homemade disinfectant wipes)

POSTED BY
Jody Mace

attainable sustainable book cover
Update: Congratulations to Erica Ring! You’ve won a copy of the book.

Attainable Sustainable, a popular, incredibly useful website by Kris Bordessa, has been sharing small, easy ways to live a more self-reliant lifestyle for years. Anything you want to know how to do, from making homemade cornbread to growing vegetables from seed to making your own dryer sheets–you can find it there.

And, yes, you can even learn about three civilized alternatives to toilet paper if you find yourself in that situation.

And there’s a book! Attainable Sustainable: The Lost Art of Self-Reliant Living comes out this month. You can pre-order it now, and if you do so before March 24th you get a bonus: a dozen digital resources and discounts.

One Charlotte on the Cheap reader will win a copy of the book. To enter to win, scroll down and leave a comment. We’ll contact you by e-email if you’re the winner.

But first, we asked Kris if she’d share one timely project with us now: homemade disinfectant wipes. If you’re finding the shelves bare when you look for disinfectant wipes, you’ll be glad to know that it’s easy (and inexpensive) to make homemade alcohol wipes. (You might never go back to the store-bought ones.)

We’re handing the virtual pen over to Kris now…and, remember, scroll down to enter the contest to win a copy of the book!

How to Make Homemade Disinfectant Wipes

homemade disinfectant wipes

 

As caretakers for our loved ones we want to do as much as possible to keep them healthy. One key seems to be cleanliness.

We’ve all heard the suggestions to wash our hands with soap and water to the tune of “Happy Birthday” (twice). The soap is key here. If you’ve ever washed a pan after cooking a fried meal, you know that soap is what breaks up the fat. Using soap when you wash your hands breaks up the exterior barrier of the virus that may be lurking on your skin.

But what if there’s no sink nearby? While I normally use gentler cleaning products, in the face of this virus I’m stepping up my game and using alcohol wipes to make sure that our environment is as germ-free as possible during this uncertain time.

Wipes are no replacement for good old soap and water, but using alcohol-based hand wipes while you’re out can help keep germs at bay. With alcohol wipes sold out in many stores, it’s a good reminder that some things are easy to DIY — and less expensive, too.

Use these homemade wipes to clean your hands or use them as a barrier between you and items like germy gas pumps or shopping carts.

Materials

  • Old t-shirts or an old flannel sheet
  • 2/3 Cup isopropyl alcohol (99% but 91% will be effective as well)
  • 1/3 Cup water
  • Essential oil (optional)
  • Air tight container
  • Coffee can with lid

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Measuring cup

Instructions

  1. Cut fabric into 6” to 10” squares. This does not have to be perfect. If you’re using old t-shirts, work with what you have. Sleeves can be cut into smaller cloths.
  2. Combine alcohol and water into measuring cup. Add several drops of essential oil, if you like. The essential oil is optional, but can make your DIY alcohol wipes smell better. (Lavender is calming!)
  3. Fold cloths to fit in the air tight container. Pour liquid over the wipes until they’re saturated but not sopping.
  4. Cut a small hole in the lid of the coffee can and press in place on the can.
  5. Use cloth wipes to clean your hands frequently if you are out in public. Put used wipes into the coffee can through the hole. Launder used wipes in very hot water before reusing them.

Notes

Do not use these wipes on your baby’s bum! Baby wipes are gentle enough for tender skin, but not suited to killing viruses.

To make an alcohol spray instead of wipes, simply combine water and alcohol in a spray bottle. Use it to clean frequently touched items like doorknobs, light switches, and countertops.

Enter to win a copy of the book

To enter to win a copy of Attainable Sustainable: The Lost Art of Self-Reliant Living, just leave a comment to this post. We will randomly select a winner on March 20th. Make sure to check your inbox and spam folder.

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Posted by Jody Mace Filed Under: Wait, there's more

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Robin says

    The book looks intriguing. The DIY wipes would be great, but alcohol is also sold out everywhere that wipes are 🙂

  4. Angie Rosenthal says

    I am so excited for this book! I just connected with Kris for the first time and am thrilled at the chance to win this resource. I recently secured a grant for my school to build a community garden that is going to literally change the lives of our students! I would absolutely love to share in this knowlege.

  6. Frances Jackson says

    This book would certainly come in handy based on the current state of things.

  7. Khyandra M. says

    Looking forward to checking out this book and making the DIY alcohol wipes. Thanks for the tips!

  12. Loura Hilliard says

    Thank you for writing such an inspiring book. Helping people be self sufficient and up cycling
    Is very important in these times!!!
    Can’t wait to read this.

    Please keep this going!
    Loura Hilliard

  13. Ashleigh Slonneger says

    We have been making laundry detergent for years and pushing ourselves as a household to to do what we can in our everyday life to be less wasteful and more self reliant. I love this. Can’t wait to read it!

  15. Amber Lipsky says

    While it is more important now than ever to focus on self sufficiency (with a zero waste twist!), we cannot discount the importance of community. I’m glad to be a part of one that fosters both values in this tumultuous situation 😊

  17. Addison says

    This site is bomb especially with being off majority of the week. So many cool things to do! One of the reason I haven’t moved away yet!

  19. Sharon K. says

    This looks just like a book that I would love to add to my collection of DIY. Coffee can?? I haven’t had one of these in years! Haha. I’ll figure out the alternative. Stay healthy.

  20. Darian says

    Thank you so much for sharing this info on how to make homemade disinfectant wipes. This is really valuable information needed now when there are no wipes for sell available in any store.

  21. Dorie Charnin says

    I marched in the 60’s for a more self reliant world. We’ve yet to attain that goal, but I keep fighting and marching for a healthy environment and lifestyle that doesn’t discount our wondrous planet. I would love to recieve a copy of this book not only to utilize it myself, but also in order to pass it on to my children, grandchildren and whoever else would glean from it’s wisdom.

  25. Lynn says

    Thank you for the timely informations on wipes and all of the virtual freebies. So helpful in right now. Would love to read Attainable Sustainable as well.

  27. Kathy says

    Can’t wait to read and use several of the tips in this book! I love the homemade wipes! Good to have in the car!

  28. maura Lynch says

    -WOW–looks like quite a few people did a lot of work putting this together and I would love to have a copy. With kids/grandkids it would be great to have ideas for those unexpected days off and sounds like it is packed with lots of useful tips. Count me in as a future reader please!

  29. Linda says

    Been following Kris for a very long time now would love to win the book. Can’t hurt to try, right? Really appreciate the tips for wipes! Please stay well out there. At 65 my husband and I are hunkered down for now. Enjoying planting lettuce kale radishes, etc, and working in the greenhouse. As well as sewing and baking sourdough bread.

  38. marty viser says

    How appropriate that this book is coming out at the exact time it’s needed! Can’t wait to learn more!!

  41. Jess says

    Thank you for sharing, especially the essential oil part! I’m looking forward to trying this.

  43. Erica Ring says

    Wow! What a great book! I’d love to have one. Thanks for the chance, COTC! 👍🏻

  44. Niya Jay says

    In a time like this…..this book is critical for survival!!! Thanks for sharing 📚🔖

  45. J Heaslet says

    Let’s hope it’s not too late to incorporate sustainability into our lives. At the same time, let’s not give up hope.

  47. Nancy says

    The “Sustainable ” part is important to me to preserve our natural resources. I can’t wait to put the ideas in the book to use!

  51. Dalila Gebhard says

    Love, love, love your remedies, ideas and FB page. Thanks for all the help and advice.

  52. Nancy says

    I would love to read this book – It’s time to rely more on ourselves and less on corporate America. Time to bring it back home! – thanks!

  53. Lawrence E Michel says

    An excellent guide to becoming more self-reliant in a time where we simply MUST, as opposed to just choosing this way of life as an alternative. Environmentally-friendly while being a safety net in these difficult times, I applaud the efforts of the author! And certainly, I hope to make the book a part of my “Sustainability Library!”

  54. Ruthann Mauney says

    I’m 68 and raising my granddaughter alone! We live on a STRICT budget ( retired art teachers salery/ ss… I’ve been recycling FOREVER) and would love to learn new ways to save money and help our planet! Thank you..🌈💜🦋

  57. Shelly says

    I follow you diligently and use your tips, they make “sense”. I tell my husband that I want to become more independent and provide more of our own items.

  61. Jamie Mouton-Briggs says

    This will definitely help since all of my local stores are out of basic essentials! I’m going to make them today.😁

  64. Sj says

    I think this book will be quite purposeful & teach me how to live sane in such certain times..a win for me!!

  66. Penny Harper says

    I already make my own clothes detergent and fabric softener. Love DYI projects so think I would love and use this book a lot.

  67. Mary Nolan says

    Thank you for reminding us that there are simpler ways to take care and provide for ourselves.

  68. Shirley says

    Looking forward to this book! I know it will be chock full of great information and ideas.

  69. Caroline Schmidt says

    Would love this book! I love getting your emails with all Charlotte has to offer! Thank you.

  71. Chiara says

    I’ve made these wipes and they work great 🙂 I’m looking forward to all the other ideas in the book!

  72. Frani Kelly says

    This book looks VERY interesting & informative. Any self sufficiency information, especially now, should be devoured with gusto!!

  74. Krischandra davidson says

    This book is very appropriate for the current climate. Would love to read. Hoping to win.

  75. Tiffany Sheffield says

    Looks like you’ve put your heart into this book. Love the wipes diy. Thanks 💓

  76. Yvonne says

    Great idea to reuse fabric you own to make into the wipes. So many suggest using paper towels or coffee filters.

  78. shevon turner says

    Thanks for sharing, Ii’ve been making my own Windex & household Cleansers ever since visited an Earth Day exhibit in town.

  79. Christina Watson says

    Looks like the kind of book everyone needs..if I win one I will be sharing it with all of my friends & family

  80. Victoria Long says

    Wish I would have read this earlier as we were trying to figure out how to clean the fruits we brought home.

  81. Jennifer says

    Wow! This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing! I have been trying to switch to reusable and sustainable options, so this is perfect! I look to seeing all the ideas in the book!

  89. Mary says

    We already have alcohol at home for other uses, happy to see reusing old fabric items for wipes, too many unnecessary disposables right now. I would love to get this book.

  92. Amber E. Hannon says

    Looks like a very intuitive book and something I cant wait to read. Love learning alternatives to making things, when what you normally use isnt readily available.

  98. Janice DiGiacomo says

    Thanks so much for the recipe for the wipes. I plan to make. Would love to win the free book; but if not, I’ll buy it.

  99. Janice DiGiacomo says

    Thanks so much for the recipe for the wipes. I plan to make. Would love to win the free book; but if not, I’ll buy it. This type of info is always so helpful.

  101. Alison McElwee says

    I would love the opportunity to read this book.
    Thanks for all the handy tips!

  102. Bethany Mong says

    I’m a new homesteader and so excited to begin this new chapter in my life! I cannot wait to read this book!

  104. Cheyenne Blizzard says

    Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a good read and very helpful during a time like this.

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