There’s something about warm evenings outside that always sounds so perfect, until the bugs show up!

Right now, we are spending almost every evening outdoors, taking walks after dinner, sitting on the porch, or letting the kids stay outside way longer than usual.

I got tired of constantly chasing everyone down with bug spray before we stepped outside.

That’s when I started making these simple DIY bug repellent wipes.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to use. You can keep the wipes in your bag, by the back door, or even in the car for camping trips and park days. They’re less messy than sprays, and they make it really simple to quickly wipe down arms and legs before heading outside.

The good news is, you don’t need anything fancy for this homemade bug repellent recipe either!

All-natural bug repellent wipes in a stylish reusable jar for eco-friendly pest protection. Perfect.

Why These Ingredients Work

This blend combines a few essential oils that are traditionally used to help discourage bugs naturally:

Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella is probably one of the most well-known essential oils for outdoor blends! It has a strong fresh scent that many bugs tend to avoid.

Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass has a bright citrusy scent and works really well paired with citronella. I love adding it because it helps round out the smell a little while still being effective 🙂

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree adds extra cleansing properties to the blend and gives it a more earthy scent.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel helps disperse the essential oils throughout the wipes and gives them a refreshing feel on the skin.

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DIY Bug Repellent Wipes Recipe

One of my favorite parts about these homemade wipes are they are completely reusable, making it a great eco friendly option!

Ingredients

1 cup witch hazel
1 cup water
10 drops tea tree essential oil
8 drops lemongrass essential oil
12 drops citronella essential oil
About 8 reusable cloth wipes
½ teaspoon Geogard ECT preservative

Instructions

Add the witch hazel to a bowl or measuring cup.

Add the tea tree, lemongrass, and citronella essential oils. Mix well.

Tea Tree Oil bottle held over a small white dish, ready for skincare application.

Stir in the Geogard ECT preservative.

Place the reusable cloth wipes into a clean 16 oz glass container.

Pour the witch hazel mixture and water over the cloths.

Seal the container and gently shake. Shake gently before each use.

To use, simply wipe over exposed arms, legs, and clothing before spending time outdoors.

Notes

If you leave out the preservative, store the wipes in the refrigerator and use within one week.
With Geogard ECT added, the wipes will last longer, but it’s still best to store them in a cool, dry place.
Shake gently before each use since essential oils naturally separate over time.
Wash reusable cloths regularly between batches.

A More Sensitive Option for Kids

If you need something a little gentler, especially for sensitive skin, this blend is a great alternative:

10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops cedarwood essential oil
5 to 8 drops citronella essential oil

This recipe is about a 0.5% dilution rate and is generally considered safe for kids.

If you’re new to using essential oils with children, don’t worry. Starting with lower dilutions is such an easy place to start!

Safety Notes

Keep away from eyes and mouth.
Always do a small patch test first if you have sensitive skin.
Adult supervision is recommended when using with children.
Some essential oils may not be suitable for pets, so use caution around animals.

Optional Swaps

You can easily customize this recipe depending on what you already have at home.

A few good options include:

Lavender essential oil
Cedarwood essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil
Geranium essential oil

Bug Repellent Wipes

Yield: 16 oz container

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Natural reusable wipes infused with essential oils and witch hazel to help repel bugs. A simple, travel-friendly outdoor solution for camping, hiking, or backyard use.

5.0 Stars (1 Review)

Materials

1 cup witch hazel
1 cup water
10 drops tea tree essential oil
8 drops lemongrass essential oil
12 drops citronella essential oil

Tools

Glass jar/container
Measuring cups
Mixing spoon
Cloths (I used about 8)

Instructions

Add the essential oils to the witch hazel and mix well.
Add in the cloths to your glass jar.
Pour the water and witch hazel over reusable cloth wipes.
Shake gently before each use.

Notes

Store in the fridge if you’re not using a preservative—this significantly slows bacterial growth and keeps the wipes usable longer.

Final Thoughts

I really love recipes like this because they help natural living feel doable! You don’t need a huge collection of ingredients or years of herbal experience to make useful products for your family.

These DIY bug repellent wipes are one I will keep making during the summer months especially for outdoor dinners, walks, and camping trips!

And honestly, there’s something really satisfying about reaching for a homemade wipe instead of a store-bought spray loaded with ingredients you can’t even pronounce 🙂

And if a few bites still sneak through, try my DIY anti itch spray for fast, natural relief!

More Recipes For Summertime

Want more herbal recipes just for summer? Get my Herbal Summer First Aid Kit!

DIY Bug Repellent Wipes (Reusable)