Swiffer ? - For the super-thrifty only!

[tinkarooni]

I have a large wood floor and find that one cloth doesn't make it through the whole floor. It would dry out and get too full of stuff. I rinse the cloth out halfway through, put it back on and I bought a bottle of the cleaner that is supposed to go to the wet jet swiffer and I poke a hole in the top and squirt it directly on the floor. Now one cloth stays clean enough and has enough cleaner to make it the whole way.

I didn't know you could wash them in the washer, I am so trying that!

 

[finz2left]

Microfiber towels! They are the best for every kind of cleaning job. You can find them cheap in the auto section of Wal-Mart. 5 towels are bundled in a pack for $4.88 or something like that. I use them for both Swiffer dry and wet.

Those are all we will use too! Very thrifty -- and clean laminate floors like a dream with no streaking when I use 1/3 equal parts alcohol, ammonia, and water.

 

[we3disneygo]

I use the refills from the dollar tree and they work great!

 

[starwood]

How about handiwipes. They have a generic version in our dollar store. You get 6 for $1.00.

 

[crisi]

Doesn't seem like sanitary pads would be too cost effective - boy are those things expensive (I just bought a Diva Cup - I'm hoping one $35 purchase will see me through menopause).

 

[lovetheparks]

Microfiber towels! They are the best for every kind of cleaning job. You can find them cheap in the auto section of Wal-Mart. 5 towels are bundled in a pack for $4.88 or something like that. I use them for both Swiffer dry and wet.

This is exactly what I use I bought a big bag from Sam's club and cut some in half (so they fit perfectly into the swiffer holes)

When I need wet, I just spray some water/vinegar solution and voila! Works fantastic on my laminate.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I had two older wash cloths that I was keeping for cleaning projects around the house, and I cut one in half to try it out (we "inherited" the swiffer with our house last Feb., but I didn't want to get sucked into buying the cloths). I have been using the same bottle of cleaner now for about a year, and I attach the half-washcloth to the head of the swiffer, and when I am done, I toss the washcloth into the hamper to wash and reuse.

 

[100 acre wood]

you want to hear thrifty? I cut a hole in the top of the cleaner container and refilled it with my own floor cleaner!!! Also,
If you don't mind washing old dish towels and or rags, use and wash!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

you want to hear thrifty? I cut a hole in the top of the cleaner container and refilled it with my own floor cleaner!!! Also,
If you don't mind washing old dish towels and or rags, use and wash!

This is what I've been loking for. I have a Swiffer Wet Jet. With white tile in the entry way, 2 good size bathrooms, & a fairly large kitchen, I go through the solution like crazy. The solution costs me a lot more than the cloths do. What type of floor cleaner do you refill it with? TIA

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Sorry, wrong thread.

 

[crazymomof4]

WOW!
So many great suggestions, I don't know which to try first.
I put both the "Grime Boss" and the micro-fiber cloths on my Walmart list (going friday) The Walmart is near a Dollar Tree, so I will run in there and get the generic brand in there too.

Thanks guys, over time these suggestions will save me $$.

OT- for those concerned with the price of sanitary pads, I stock up on the store brand when they go on half price. The package of my Shop Rite's store brand pads reads "Compare to Always brand." (Always was my favorite brand) Well, guess what? They ARE Always pads! No difference. I have never turned back to name brand pads again. When Shop Rite brand goes on half price they are $1.50 each for a 24 count package.

 

[crazymomof4]

OMG!
I got the microfiber cloths in the auto section of Walmart and tried them as soon as I got home.
I cut one in half, as suggested, and it fit on the swiffer perfectly.
I used it dry on my kitchen and bath.
WOW! It worked 100% better than the dry cloths that come with the Swiffer!! Picked up everything, even the larger crumbs.
I was shocked!

Thanks to all who suggested this.
It's hard to get me excited over cleaning, but you did it.

BTW- I paid $4.86 for a pack of 8 cloths. With each cut in half, that gives me 16 cloths. If I turn each over and use both sides, I get 32 uses out of the set. Plenty to keep me supplied while I have the already used ones in the laundry.

What a bargain! Thanks again!

crazymom

 

[babiesX2]

I've been using the same box of swiffer cloths for the past two years! I just wash them with the towels every week and let them air dry. I accidentally washed one years ago---when it didn't fall apart, I tried washing a week's worth and haven't looked back since!

I use the Clorox Ready Mop, and I'm going to try this on the wipes. I don't use it that often because the disposable wipes are so expensive!

 

[Goofy_4_WDW]

I also I use my local grocery store brand. They work just the same

 

[TallyLassie]

Okay, I never thought I'd admit this to ANYONE but I ran out of the Swiffer wet cloths one day so I put the cleaner on the floor and mopped it up with a sanitary pad (the kind with the "wings")

I wouldn't actually recommend it to anyone but it actually did work well

I can only imagine the possible tag that you might be receiving from the tag fairy.

 

[kjs1976]

Since we're on the topic, any one have success with the Swiffer Carpet Flick????

 

[of the seas]

Since we're on the topic, any one have success with the Swiffer Carpet Flick????

I think it works pretty good. But I find myself getting out the vacuum cleaner anyway. For some reason, I would just rather vaccum. Most of the time I forget that I have it. If I had to do it over again, I don't think I would buy it.

 

[DsnyDrmr]

(I just bought a Diva Cup - I'm hoping one $35 purchase will see me through menopause).

A WHAT????!!!!

 

[KristinU]

When I ran out of my stockpile of clorox ready-mop pads I decided to look for a replacement since mu little jet thingy was broken and never stayed in place...I found a great mop on QVC that has several different cloth pads that are washable. You put water in the handle and spray it out. It runs about $30 - I figure it will pay for itself shortly without the proprietary disposable stuff to go with it (although you guys have some non-disposable great ideas for the Swiffer, and I was refilling my Clorox cleaner bottles with regular cleaner). If you log on to QVC search for "Don Aslett Mop" and you'll find it. Oh, and there's a really fuzzy pad that comes with it that is awesome for dog hair!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have 3 dogs & find that one swiff around my livingroom & the "cling" is gone from the actual swiffer pads. I have used generic brand & they work the same. I tired, just the other day as a matter of fact, my clorox wipes.. they are a little short but will do for a fast pick up from a spill. I am going to try my wash cloths. I had thought about it, just never did it.. now thanks to these posts, I will use them for the wet.. for the dry, I will still use generic. I really have to throw them out when done. I cannot put that much dog hair in my washer....
I have the original dry swiffer, which is junk in my opinion.. the handle is no good! I bought the new version with the sturdier handle (I use that with my wet wipes for fast spill), then I just recently bought the clorox wet jet..it was cheaper than the swiffer by $7.00... seems to work ok so far..