One Good Thing by Jillee

Home Hacks, Cleaning Tips, & DIY

  • Homekeeping
    • All Homekeeping
    • Cleaning
    • Laundry
    • Crafts & DIY Projects
    • Gardening & Outdoors
    • Organization
  • Natural Remedies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Main Dish
    • Gluten-Free
    • Breakfast
    • Baking
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
  • Bright Ideas
    • All Bright Ideas
    • Advice
    • Saving Money
    • Green Living
  • Beauty
    • Hair & Makeup
    • Skincare
  • E-books
  • Get OGT Plus
  • Log in

    02/15/17 78 Comments 230,866

    3 Genius Hacks For Swiffers That Will Save You Money

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    I receive a lot of questions from readers about all sorts of topics, and I do try to answer as many of those emails as I can! But when I start getting a similar question from several different readers, it’s a good indication that I ought to address the question in a blog post! And recently, I’ve had quite a few people email me asking about a cheaper, greener alternative for the pads and cleaning solution for Swiffer products. So that’s what I’ll be addressing today! :-)

    More Ideas You'll Love
    uses for your smartphone camera

    50 Brilliant Ways To Use The Camera In Your Smartphone

    Your smartphone's camera is good for more than just selfies! Continue Reading

    Did you know that since Procter and Gamble introduced the Swiffer in 1999, it has grown to become one of the most recognized and successful brands in American history, with retail sales at over a half billion dollars??!! That’s a lot of “swiffering!” :-) It’s obviously an idea people like… a LOT!

    But constantly buying the refills for your Swiffer Sweeper or Wet Jet can add up fast! So today I’m going to show you how to save yourself some money AND save resources by making your own REUSABLE cleaning pads and cleaning solution. These “hacks” are so simple you’ll be smacking your forehead (like I was!) and uttering that familiar phrase…”Why didn’t I think of that?” I’ll cover both the Swiffer Sweeper and the Swiffer WetJet, starting with the Sweeper.

      MY LATEST VIDEOS
     

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    Sweeper Hacks

    Reusable Sweeper Pads

    Rather than using the pricey disposable sweeper pads, here’s a DIY alternative that’s infinitely reusable – a fuzzy sock!

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    Just slip the sock onto the base of your Swiffer, and use it just like you normally would. The fuzzy material works like a charm for picking up dust, dirt, and hair. When you’re done sweeping, you can wash the sock with the rest of your laundry, and use it again and again!

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    WetJet Hacks

    Reusable WetJet Pads

    Since I don’t actually have a WetJet at home, I haven’t explored many alternatives for WetJet pads personally. But for the purpose of this post, I wanted to find some alternative options for those of you who do own and use the Swiffer WetJet.

    You could try using a fuzzy sock just like with the Sweeper, but for larger mopping jobs you’ll probably need something that’s more absorbent. I think that a microfiber cloth could be a great solution!

    So I did a bit of searching, and I actually found a couple of companies online that sell reusable microfiber cleaning pads for the Swiffer WetJet. (I found a 3-pack of reusable cleaning pads for about $15 on Amazon. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, considering the cost of the disposable ones!)

    But the cleaning pads are only one part of the WetJet equation. What about the pricey bottles of cleaning solution? Read on for a homemade substitute for that cleaning solution, along with instructions for getting it into the special WetJet bottle!

    More Ideas You'll Love

    How to Restore Stained and Yellowed Linens

    Earlier this month I did a post on the many Practical Household Uses for Salt and one of the tips was for brightening yellowed cottons or linens. The ... Continue Reading

    Homemade WetJet Cleaning Solution

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 1 cup water
    • 3-5 drops dish soap

    Directions:

    Stir all ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

    To get your homemade solution into the original WetJet solution bottle, you’ll need to loosen the cap with hot water first.

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    Bring a small pot of water to a boil on your stovetop, then turn off the heat. Submerge the cap end of the WetJet bottle completely in the hot water, and hold it there for about 90 seconds.

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    When the soaking time is up, remove the bottle from the water and place a towel or rag over the cap. Twist the cap, and it should come right off!

    How to Hack Your Swiffer

    Pour the vinegar, water, and soap mixture into the bottle, then replace the cap. Shake the bottle gently to make sure everything is mixed up, and you’re ready to get mopping!

    More Ideas You'll Love
    Oily Stains

    Getting Oily Stains Out Of Dark-Colored Clothing

    A few weeks ago I bought a new pair of cropped pants in a gorgeous coral color (coral is my new color crush!) Of course the first time I wore them I ... Continue Reading

    Read This Next
    • How To Remove Those Stubborn Hard Water Stains
    • 20 Ways To Use Your Freezer To Save Time And Money
    • How To Make Perfectly Crispy Oven-Baked Fries

    More Ideas From Homekeeping

    Homemade Stain Remover Spray

    4-Ingredient Homemade Stain Remover

    Miracle Cleaner

    My Miracle Cleaner Works Wonders on These 10 Cleaning Headaches

    Make Your Own Laundry Color Catchers

    How To Make Your Own Laundry Color Catchers

    Ways You Can Benefit From Apple Cider Vinegar

    28 Surprising Ways You Can Benefit From Apple Cider Vinegar

    Homemade Leave-In Moisturizing Conditioner

    Car Hacks

    DIY Armor All Wipes

    Reusable Clorox Wipes

    Make Your Own Reusable Disinfecting Wipes

    Bulk Storage

    If You Buy In Bulk, You’ll Love These 12 Clever Storage Solutions

    Tidy Up Before Guests Arrive

    5 Quick Things You Should Do Before Company Arrives

    DIY Wax Melts

    How To Make Homemade Wax Melts With Safe & Natural Ingredients

    21 “Sweet” (Non-Food) Uses for Sugar

    Vitamin C Serum

    DIY Vitamin C Serum

    Organizing The Dreaded Pots and Pans Cabinet!

    Miracle Cleaner For Spring Cleaning

    5 Reasons You Need This One Miracle Cleaner For Spring Cleaning

    DIY Miracle Grow

    Garden Like An Investor – The Best Things To Grow For Your Money

    Clean Your Bathroom

    5 Easy Steps That Will Get Your Bathroom Clean In Minutes

    Microfiber Cloths

    This Is Why Microfiber Cloths Are The Ultimate Cleaning Tool

    homemade laundry soap

    Brand Name Laundry Detergent’s "Last Stand"!

    newest oldest most voted
    Carol
    Carol

    how would i make it for wood floor

    Vote Up0Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Jillee
    Jillee

    Here’s a post all about a wood floor cleaner: https://jillee.co/2A340Jb :-)

    Vote Up0Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Connie
    Connie

    Better yet, instead of a Swiffer Wet Jet, I think it’s O’Cedar that makes on that you use with your own choice of cleaner – no need to refill the Swiffer bottle!

    Vote Up1Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Shirley Cohen
    Shirley Cohen

    I just bought a Swiffer wet jet and it’s wonderful but I was thinking it would cost a fortune to maintain and then I found Jillian who just saved me a LOT of money and I just want to say thank you for your fabulous idea; I will of course be using it.

    Vote Up4Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Jillee
    Jillee

    Thanks Shirley!

    Vote Up1Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Sunshine
    Sunshine

    Not sure why people are having a problem w the vinegar bottles. I have had the same one in my kitchen for at least seven years. no problems. Vinegar won’t break down the finish. What brakes it down is everyday wear. Especially on cheaper flooring.

    I have used windex to clean my floors for at least 20 or so years. Works well, gets grease up. Does not harm the flooring!

    Vote Up2Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Sunshine
    Sunshine

    I tried the solution you mentioned, but after a while, the floor feels a bit sticky.
    I did, however, just use half vinegar and half window cleaner (like windex) which works wonderfully and there is no rinsing and it cleans any grease of really well. When i have run out of vinegar, i just used windex. It cleans, no rinsing and gets up everything.

    Vote Up2Vote Down 
    4 months ago
    Lynda J
    Lynda J

    Use caution when cleaning wood floors with vinegar. It breaks down polyeurethane finishes. Otherwise great hacks!

    Vote Up2Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    Victoria
    Victoria

    The new ones have the spray element in the flat part so a sock won’t work anymore , do u have any solutions for this ,?

    Vote Up1Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    Jillee
    Jillee

    I just cut a small hole in the sock :-)

    Vote Up6Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    Karen West
    Karen West

    These idea’s are awesome, however if you have the Swiffer-wet-jet that has the little spray holes in the front of the pad – using a home made sock, etc to clean with won’t work – it covers up the little holes for the liquid cleaner to spray out of!! Hmmm??

    Vote Up1Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    Gammasue
    Gammasue

    That’s true. Then you pour the cleaning solution into a hand held spray bottle, aim , and fire away!

    Vote Up9Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    ROSY
    ROSY

    PERSONALLY I USE THE DUSTERS, BUT THE SWIFFER I DO NOT LIKE! THE LIQUID WAS STICKY AND I KNEW IT HAD TO BE LEAVING A BUILD UP ON FLOORS! IT HAS A STICKY FEELING TO IT, NOT IMPRESSED!!

    Vote Up1Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    Lisa
    Lisa

    Thanks for sharing this. I was just cleaning my kitchen and ran out of swiffer solution. You not only saved me money but also time since I didn’t have to run to the store to get another bottle. I’m glad to see I’m not the only person who felt the swiffer solution left the floor tacky. I’d get out my steamer and go over the just mopped floor to get rid of it so this gets bonus points for being a time saver.

    Vote Up4Vote Down 
    1 year ago
    California girl transplanted and blooming in Utah. In recovery and loving life.
    • Contact
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    copyright © 2019 One Good Thing by Jillee · All rights reserved