Good bye you wasteful, expensive swiffer pads!

Now that Charlie and Adella are eating in a high chair, my floor has seen better days.   I can no longer get away with just mopping every week or so, I pretty much need to do a spot cleanup at least every day or two.  But I don't want to pull out the whole huge mop and bucket and those swiffer pads ares so stinking expensive!   I've seen reusable swiffer pads before, and even though they looked simple enough I didn't think they would work so great- now I never tried them so I don't want to proclaim mine is better, but in my mind mine is PERFECT.   The ones I've seen before seemed thin and more like a dusting pad, but I wanted something that could hold water and actually clean the floor (an in between cleanings kinda clean anyway).

So as I was contemplating what to do with some used microfiber diaper inserts (I had recently switched to bamboo inserts) I had an idea.  Why not turn them into reusable pads?   I mean they are super absorbant and pretty much already the right size and I didn't have to go buy anything which is a super added bonus!

So here is what I came up with!

Reusable Swiffer pad

So simple yet soooo perfect!!!   I simply sewed two strips of elastic onto the edges (I made the elastic about half the length of my pad so it would be nice and tight).  Then I tested it.  You know what?  It is PERFECT!  It stays on awesome (even better than the swiffer ones) and I can get it sopping wet.   I usually just put it under the faucet to wet it (after it's on the swiffer) and then I use a spray bottle with my cleaner (vinegar) and spray the cleaner right onto the floor.   Let me tell you what, this baby picks up so much more dirt than a swiffer pad EVER did.   Obviously its not going to replace full moppings and it doesn't get stuff that's crusted on (but neither does a swiffer pad), but for general spots and dirt in between full mopping jobs it's amazing.  When I'm done I just throw it in to wash with my normal rag washing.  Easy peasy!

Now I realize not everyone is going to have diaper inserts laying around, but you couuld easily take a microfiber cloth (I think you can get them at the dollar store even) and fold it over a couple of times, serge or sew the edges shut and do the same thing.   

And if that's even too much work for you, I happen to still have several of these inserts lying around and would be happy to sell them to you for pretty darn cheap.   Just send me a message and I'll see what we can work out!

Have fun, go green and most importantly save some dough!!!