Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Swiffers - Center for Environmental Health (2023)

FAQs

Is there an eco friendly Swiffer? ›

Some eco-friendly Swiffer alternative mopping options are a Cuban mop, wood and cotton mop, a DIY mop, a steam mop, and a similar mop to a Swiffer but one that is eco-friendly, like the Turbo MicroFiber mop. All these are more sustainable and, in some cases, even cheaper.

Many household items can be harmful to your pets. But Swiffer Sweeper, Swiffer WetJet,Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty,Sweeper Dry refills and the rest of the Swiffer product family are safe for use in households with pets.

Swiffer Cloths and Dusters are practically non-toxic.

The easiest way to make your own reusable Swiffer pads is by simply using an old washcloth and pushing the fabric into the 4 Swiffer holes to secure. That's it. Avoid using microfiber washcloths or towels since these release microplastics into the waterways when washed.

Swiffer dry cloths are made of polyester and polypropylene and work well to pick up dust and grime from most surfaces, but so does an old-fashioned wool dust mop. The natural lanolin in wool attracts and holds dust.

To clean, simply mix a quarter cup of mild or pH-neutral soap with water in a bucket. Then grab a microfiber mop that makes quick work of the chore, like Libman Wonder Mop. It's easy to wring out, making it ideal for hardwood floors that work best with a barely damp (not soaking) mop.

Overall, microfiber mops have more pros than Swiffer mops. Microfiber mops can be used as a two-in-one to both sweep and mop at the same time. However, a Swiffer mop can typically only clean after the sweeping has already been done.

Mop around the edges first, then move to the middle of the floor, using overlapping, figure-eight strokes. When one side of the mop gets dirty, turn the mop over to the clean side. When both sides are dirty, wash the mop in the bucket; otherwise, you'll be spreading dirt around instead of removing it.

The product's pads could cause a gastrointestinal blockage if eaten, and a large amount of the cleaning solution could lead to toxicity, but most pets should be smart enough to avoid guzzling the solution. It is safe to use a Swiffer WetJet on your floors and even allow your pet to walk on them before they are dry.

Should you Swiffer daily? ›

While a Swiffer is a great tool for everyday cleaning (especially if you vacuum first), don't use it if there's a lot of dirt or other debris on your floors. These bigger messes might be a better job for the Swiffer WetJet, or a regular mop or vacuum.

As per the wooden floor repairing experts of a renowned hardwood floor company in Los Angeles, the Swiffer is absolutely safe for prefinished hardwood floors when used with either wet or dry refill cloths.

Swiffer WetJet Antibacterial solution Kills 99.9% of Bacteria*. This fast-drying, specially made solution dissolves dirt and tough, sticky messes and comes in a fresh citrus scent. This area allows consumers like you to express their own opinions and comments.

Of course, Striemer suggests Swiffer dusters but that's because they really do work. They're specifically designed to trap and lock up three times the dust compared to traditional feather dusters.

Feather dusters largely stir dust into the air, but Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty excel at picking up and trapping dust and allergens* around the house. The thousands of dirt-locking fibers on Dusters ensure that dust isn't stirred around; it's picked up and locked in for truly exceptional dust capture and removal.

For mild cleaning, mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 4 to 8 cups hot water in a spray bottle. You can substitute 2 teaspoons of borax for the baking soda. Add a few drops of essential oil to any mixture to give it a fresh scent.

Swiffer is partnering with TerraCycle to help reduce waste. TerraCycle accepts all used Swiffer pads, including Sweeper, WetJet, and Duster. Once collected, the Swiffer pads are cleaned and separated by material type. The materials are recycled into raw formats that manufacturers use to make new products.

The cleaner in the pads is propylene glycol n-propyl ether. (References 1) The chemical, also known as PnP, is a clear liquid that smells of ether. It mixes completely in water and is primarily used in degreasing and cleaning.

Unfortunately, Swiffer allows its products and ingredients to be tested on animals when the law requires it. For those reasons, Swiffer is NOT cruelty-free.

How do Italians clean floors? ›

Instead of reusing a mop, you use an old kitchen towel (any small towel will work). Get the towel wet in the sink or a tub of soapy water for a big mess, wring out the excess liquid, and lay it flat on the floor.

Vacuum, dust or wipe with a lightly dampened mop – never use soap-based detergents, as they can leave a dull film on the floor, and avoid over-wetting. Don't use wax polish either, as this will make the floor slippery. To remove marks and stains, use a dilute solution of water and vinegar.

Vinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain. Also known as Cushion Floor, vinyl flooring is available at a good price and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many will come with a 15 year warrantee.

Mop up dirty vinyl, linoleum, or tile floors.

You can mop these types of floors with a simple solution of one to two tablespoons of Dawn and a gallon of warm water. Your floor will look good in no time!

In addition, dry mopping in some form or another (more on that below) should always be done before wet mopping. If you wet mop before cleaning up loose dirt, you'll end up with a trail of wet sludge following every sweep of your mop.

When debris builds up on the floor over time, they accumulate and can cause tiny scratches in your floor, which might become permanent and eventually become an ugly blemish.

Use swiffer dry cloth refills on floors and hard-to-reach places above the floor. These swiffer pad refills leave no residue and are safe for wood floors, ceramic and vinyl tile, electronics, and other hard surfaces.

Safe on wood & all finished floors (Do not use on unfinished, oiled, or waxed wooden boards, non-sealed tiles, or carpeted floors because they may be water sensitive). Contains no phosphate, chlorine bleach or ammonia. Sanitizing Cleaner: Pre-mixed, dirt-dissolving, cleaning solution.

Sweep often — at least once a week. By sticking to this routine, you can clean your floors before dirt has time to collect on the surface.

Should I use Swiffer wet or dry? ›

For sweeping up dust, pet hair, and other debris, use a dry cloth. Swiffer makes two kinds of dry cloths: Dry Sweeping Cloths and Heavy-Duty Dry Sweeping Cloths.

You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.

Wet mopping can cause your wood floors to swell

A guiding principle to remember is that water and wood do not mix. Wood flooring can react like a sponge when around water– and get too much liquid it will swell.

Laminate flooring often has a static electricity problem. It helps to use an electrostatic-free cleaner (like Swiffer Dry Cloth refills). Be gentle with dry mops on laminate because too much pressure will cause surface debris to etch the wear layer.

Clorox® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths fit Swiffer® Sweeper and other mopping tools. Plus, they're ultra-textured to help you take on the dirtiest job by trapping 4x more particles, dirt and hair. Chores just got a whole lot easier.

If you live in a damp climate, chances are mildew is hiding somewhere in your house. Rather than getting out the ladder and washing high surfaces by hand, reach for your Swiffer: Just dampen the dry pad with a bleach-and-water solution to get the job done right.

Fabuloso^® Antibacterial in Lavender Scent is an all-purpose cleaner that cuts through grease, and kills 99.9% of bacteria*. It transforms your home with a fresh, lasting lavender scent, and deodorizes and sanitizes as it cleans^†.

But as a rule of thumb, you should mop your floors at least once a week—especially in areas that are more likely to get stains from drips and spills, like the kitchen and bathroom. “Of course, you need to vacuum or sweep the floor before mopping,” explains Leiva.

The best way to clean your kitchen floors is with castile soap, an olive-oil-based cleaner that can remove stubborn stains and, when added to warm water, serves as an especially effective cleaner for hardwood and tile floors.

Navas recommends you wipe a damp microfiber cloth over the affected surface to collect the stray particles. For a more thorough job, to cover more surface area, or to get to harder-to-reach areas, you can use the dusting tool or hose attachment on your vacuum.

Are Swiffers bad for the environment? ›

Are Swiffer Products Safe For The Environment? Swiffer products are made from non-biodegradable plastic that utilizes fossil fuels in the manufacturing process. Moreover, the cleaning solution used in their pads are somewhat toxic to the environment. However, some are recyclable.

Dish towels and cloths

One of the easiest alternatives to Swiffer pads is to just sub in a cloth or dish towel you already have hanging around the house. Like microfibre cloths, dish towels usually also fit into the grippers on the Swiffer Sweeper and can be a good substitute for a mop pad.

The Maids, Merry Maids, MaidPro, and countless other cleaning services agree that microfiber cloths are a must-have for any cleaning arsenal. The small fibers are more effective at grabbing dust and dirt than other cloths, plus they're cleaner than sponges and more sustainable than paper towels.

Simply download a free shipping label to ship your Swiffer refills to TerraCycle, and we'll recycle it.

Swiffer is partnering with TerraCycle to reduce waste. TerraCycle accepts all used Swiffer refills, including Sweeper, WetJet, and Duster. Once collected, the Swiffer pads are cleaned and separated by material type. The materials are recycled into raw formats that manufacturers use to make new products.

Overall, microfiber mops have more pros than Swiffer mops. Microfiber mops can be used as a two-in-one to both sweep and mop at the same time. However, a Swiffer mop can typically only clean after the sweeping has already been done.

Use swiffer dry cloth refills on floors and hard-to-reach places above the floor. These swiffer pad refills leave no residue and are safe for wood floors, ceramic and vinyl tile, electronics, and other hard surfaces. 32 cloths per pack.

FLIP IT UP AND REVERSE IT:

Once you make that first hairy pass on your floors, you can remove the sweeper cloth, shake the loose stuff off and use the other side. Both sides of the Swiffer Sweeper cloth work to attract dust and hair, so why not use both? This trick works on the Swiffer Wet refill pads, too.

Basic DIY Swiffer Solution

Squeeze three drops of a mild dish soap into the bottle and fill it half way with white vinegar. Add distilled water until the bottle is full. Set the cap back over the Swiffer cleaning bottle and shake to combine the ingredients.

These swiffer wetjet pads are washable and reusable, so convenient by machine washable as a routine maintain.

Are laundry detergent plastic jugs recyclable? ›

Jugs—From milk jugs to laundry detergent, jugs are good to go for household recycling. Caps and lids, but not squirt tops or pumps, can be put in as well. Make sure they're empty and rinsed. Food trays—Single-serving microwave food trays are a fine addition to your household recycling collection.

Most of us recycle shampoo and conditioner bottles, but don't forget to recycle items such as: Bathroom cleaners - rinse and replace the trigger spray. Bleach bottles - empty and replace the lid.

A: No, they don't expire.