DIY Swiffer Wet Pads (Save $$ and Clean Healthier!)
- Molly Ishmael
- Jan 13, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 20, 2022
Are you ready for a healthy change this new year? Do you crave healthy and affordable products that actually work? Me too, and recently I found a great one! Check out my newest all-natural recipe that is definitely one of my new faves.
Swiffers are addictively convenient but not exactly great for the environment - or our health. Long story short, I had the idea to try making my own cleaning solution to pair with reusable floor pads, and WOW, it's so easy AND cheap to make! Scroll down to find out how to QUICKLY and EASILY replace your disposable wet pads with a reusable, washable version, plus find out how make your own, healthy cleaning solution - it couldn't be easier!
It only took about 60 seconds to mix up this healthy, alternative wet pad liquid.
So, I love my Swiffer Sweeper, especially with the wet pads. It's such a nice, easy and effective way to quickly clean hard-surface floors. After all, some of us are nearing forty and have knee issues, haha. Must have been all that running on paved roads back in the day... Anyway, back on topic. I love the concept of Swiffer, but over time I realized that I had two major issues with continuing to use it: the wet pads are disposable which is bad for the environment (not to mention costly) and the brand name liquid contains many toxic ingredients. Tired of spending so much on such a wasteful and unhealthy product, I decided to make a change.
I love convenience as much as the next girl, but my problems with OTC wet pads include:
The liquid used in the brand name product has a list of highly toxic ingredients, including chemical(s) that are suspected or proven carcinogens, chemical(s) that cause reproductive issues, chemical(s) that have known respiratory effects, and a long list of other concerns.
The wet pads are disposable which is both personally wasteful and bad for the environment. It bothers me adding to our trash pile unnecessarily.
As if that's not enough, the wet pads are expensive and needs replaced every single use!
Let's face it, that just isn't a sustainable way to continue cleaning floors the rest of my life! It's time to make a change. Keep reading on to find out how to make your own healthy Swiffer wet pad liquid, save money, and do your part to keep the earth a little bit cleaner along the way!
If you would like more information on Swiffer's wet ingredients, here is a link that I found helpful:
2-pack of washable microfiber cloths that fit the Swiffer Sweeper. I bought a couple of these.
What About the Pads Themselves?
Good news, you can purchase reusable fabric pads that fit your Swiffer Sweeper (yes, I tested them myself) and use them wet or dry. Just wash and dry as needed. So much less expensive and "greener" than the disposable pads!
TIP: I prefer lemon essential oil for this recipe because it blends well with the rubbing alcohol. It smells pleasantly like lemon vodka in the end. Here is an organic version from a brand I trust.
As for the Cleaning Liquid...
Of course, Swiffer wet pads come pre-soaked in cleaning solution. I've mentioned my objections to the ingredients above. However, the good news is you can simply make your OWN floor cleaner that is compatible with the fabric pads, and is safe for most hard surfaces! My recipe also has NO vinegar which makes it better for wood floors, and bonus, the recipe smells great!
To store the liquid, I simply used a plastic bottle that was otherwise trash-bound; I cleaned it, removed the sticker wrap, made my own label, and then filled it with homemade solution. It's so satisfying to save plastic from the bin! (By the way, the previous contents were healthy bath bubbles we bought for our daughter, so I wasn't worried about dangerous chemicals having leached into the plastic. That's always something to consider.)
If you don't already have castile soap, here is the kind I use. This is a huge container and will last a long time (as in years) depending how much you use.
Cost Considerations
I can't tell you exactly how much one batch costs to make, but I can tell you it's probably pennies. Water, rubbing alcohol, a tiny amount of castile soap, and a few drops essential oil is all it takes.
Also, imagine never having to buy sweeper pads again! That much I can calculate. Depending exactly what version, of course, Swiffer wet pads cost around $0.30-$0.60 cents PER PAD - only to be thrown away! The horror! I bet I used to go through at least 10 floor pads when cleaning the whole house. Imagine buying reusable pads ONCE and never again dropping a $5 bill every time the floor needs cleaned.
Another benefit is not inhaling and contacting dangerous toxins every time you clean. Who knows what the exact toll on one's health may be from regular exposure to such things? Just because something is for sale doesn't mean it's safe.
Here is the Swiffer Sweeper - which totally works with our healthy alternative wet pads! This set comes with a few pre-soaked wet pads but you can safely dispose of those and use your homemade cloths, instead.
This recipe is so easy, there's no reason to delay! Here it is.
STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS
DIY SWIFFER WET PAD SOLUTION
Prep Time: 1 min / Makes about 15 oz
1 1/2 cups distilled or filtered water (12 oz)
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (2 oz)
2 Tbsp liquid Castile soap (1 oz)
20-25 drops organic essential oil for fragrance*
DIRECTIONS
Add all the ingredients into a beaker and whisk by hand.
Pour into a reusable bottle.
If mixture separates, gently shake before dispensing.
*I prefer lemon for this recipe because it blends well with rubbing alcohol and ends up pleasantly smelling like lemon vodka - not bad for a cleaning product!
I have several brands of essential oils including "Cliganic" (above). The important thing is the USDA Certified Organic label - lots of products especially from overseas claim to be organic but are not verified.
By the way, if you can't get enough of all-natural alternative products, try my absolute favorite all-natural deodorant recipe that actually WORKS:
That's all folks, it's that easy AND you can change the fragrance for your homemade Swiffer we pads to anything you like. I'm partial to citrus scents in this recipe because having tested it, I know they smell good with the rubbing alcohol, but I bet some herbal and woodsy-based essential oils would work well, too. Tell me if you try it and what scent you choose!
With Love,
Molly
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