Swiffer Hacks - Never Buy Refills Again (2025)

Sustainability

ByKait SchulhofPublishedUpdated

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Like millions of other Americans, my husband and I own a Swiffer WetJet. We purchased ours four years ago when we moved in together and have since purchased handfuls of single-use Swiffer pads and cleaner refills.

As someone who is regularly trying to find reusable alternatives for disposable products, I was pretty excited when I discovered this Swiffer hack!

Never buy another Swiffer refill – use this trick to refill your Swiffer with non-toxic floor cleaner and mop with reusable cloths. You will save money and protect the environment!

Own a Swiffer Sweeper instead? No problem – I also listed hacks below for reusable dusting pads and mop alternatives.

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How to refill a Swiffer WetJet bottle

The makers of the Swiffer WetJet were clever when developing their design.

The cap of the cleaner reservoir is self locking and not easy to remove by pure force, but because it’s made from plastic, it can be softened in hot water then twisted off.

I loosely followed instructions from this Instructables article to refill my WetJet.

  1. Soften the cap in very hot water for 1-2 minutes
  2. Using a towel to add resistance, firmly twist off the cap
  3. Clip off the locking tabs from inside of the cap with nail clippers or strong, sharp scissors
  4. Re-fill the container with your own non-toxic DIY floor cleaner
  5. Replace the cap and re-attach the reservoir to your Swiffer WetJet

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How to make your own Swiffer WetJet cleaning solution

Once you remove your Swiffer WetJet reservoir, the next question is what to refill it with.

I like this simple recipe I found from Heart Hook Home:

  • 1 part water
  • 1 part vinegar
  • 2-3 drops of dish soap

What can I use instead of Swiffer WetJet pads?

I have seen hacks where folks attach reusable microfiber cloths to their WetJet using rubber bands.

If you want an alternative that is made specifically for your WetJet, then consider re-usable microfiber swiffer pads that are constructed to fit on your Swiffer WetJet.

@acleanbee

reusable “Swiffer pads” – how to clean your floors without creating extra waste! #zerowaste #cleanhouse #cleaninghacks #4u #4yp #fyp #foryoupage

♬ original sound – Kait

Reusable Swiffer Sweeper Pad Alternative

Instead of using disposable sweeper pads, try using a fuzzy sock.

It will grab onto dust just like the sweeper pads do but you can toss the sock into the wash once you’re finished and use it again the next time you want to dust your floors.

Another option is to use a microfiber cloth made for dusting and attach it the same way you would attach a sweeper pad.

How to use a Swiffer Sweeper as a mop

If you have a Swiffer Sweeper, there is absolutely no need to buy a WetJet or wet mopping pads!

Instead, fill a spray bottle with floor cleaner solution (1 part water, 1 part vinegar, 2-3 drops of dish soap) and spray the area of floor that you want to mop.

Attach a microfiber cloth to the sweeper the same way you would attach the sweeper pads and push your Swiffer over the wet area of floor.

Repeat until you have cleaned the rest of the room!

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What is the most eco-friendly Swiffer option?

If you are currently in the market for a Swiffer, I would recommend the sweeper because it is so easy to attach microfiber cloths that you already own (no need to buy special microfiber sleeves like you do for the WetJet).

The design is simpler than the WetJet and requires less plastic to produce (no plastic liquid reservoir).

Purchase the sweeper without the pads and you can reuse it with microfiber cloths for years!

With that said, the MOST eco friendly Swiffer alternative is a Cuban mop.

The Cuban mop is an inexpensive mopping tool more or less made from 2 large wooden dowels fastened together in a T-shape.

Because the entire mop is made from wood, it’s compostable! Use it by wrapping the base of the “T” with a wet cleaning towel and mop your floor just like you would with a Swiffer.

Swiffer Hacks - Never Buy Refills Again (2025)

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