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

FAQs

Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Swiffers - Center for Environmental Health? ›

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Is Swiffer bad for floors? ›

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Green cleaning products are less hazardous for the environment, too. They do not contain chemicals that cause significant air or water pollution and are often in recyclable or recycled packaging.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that works well as a mopping solution without leaving any chemical residue on your floors. Although some people don't like the scent, this odor is evident only as you mop and clean—it will fade away rapidly as the solution dries. The results left behind are a gorgeous, clean floor.

Most hard surfaces recommend a bleach solution for disinfecting, but often you'll want to keep bleach and other harsh chemicals away from your flooring. Instead, you can disinfect vinyl and laminate flooring by mopping with a mix of one gallon of warm water and one cup of white vinegar.

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.

You Can Buy Reusable Pads

Luckily, there are Swiffer-compatible reusable microfiber pads you can buy for cheap, and they can be used wet or dry and simply tossed in the washing machine between cleaning sessions.

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.

Sweep or vacuum the floor before you mop.

You can use a broom and dustpan, a vacuum, or a Swiffer sweeper. Get all the excess dust and hair off your floor, so that your mopping can focus on the hard-to-remove spills and stains.

What is the best mop for laminate floors? ›

Overall, the best mop for laminate floors is the Oshang Flat Squeeze Mop and Bucket because it has a soft, microfiber mophead, long handle, and self-wringing bucket. But, if you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative, try Bona's Premium Microfiber Floor Mop.

Let's set the record straight once again: Swiffer Jet moisture pads are not toxic to children and pets in any way whatsoever.

I was impressed at how well the Swiffer WetJet managed to trap dirt and scrub off those old stains, even just using the standard cleaning pad. I was impressed at how well the Swiffer WetJet managed to trap dirt and scrub off those old stains, even just using the standard cleaning pad.

We recommend dusting before vacuuming, this is because dust particles usually get moved around the room when you dust, meaning all your hard work will go to waste. A top tip is to wait at least 2 hours after dusting to get the vacuum out.

Let's start with a categorization: The Swiffer Sweeper is not a broom substitute. It is a dust mop with disposable refills. You shouldn't use it to sweep up Cheerios or broken glass, but to capture dust and other remnants left behind after you've swept with a broom.

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.

Housekeepers can use a flat mop for scrubbing the floor surface or even the walls, a round head mop for washing dishes or cleaning bathrooms, and a triangular head mop for mopping floors.

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.

Swiffer Cloths and Dusters are practically non-toxic.

Are there chemicals on Swiffer dusters? ›

Ever take a big whiff when you bust open your new package of refillable Swiffer wet pads? Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but those flowery and attractive smells contain fragrances and other harmful ingredients, which often carry phthalates, asthmagens (1) and other chemicals of concern.

When dusting a room or an object, always start at the top and work your way down so you won't have dust resettle on a freshly cleaned area. Dust first, then vacuum a room to capture all that has fallen to the floor. Close windows and turn off fans while dusting to prevent the particles from scattering.

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.

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.

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.

New and improved Swiffer WetJet mopping pads have a new Absorb + Lock strip that helps trap dirt and grime deep in pad so it doesn't get pushed around and is safe on finished wood floors.

Swiffer wet cloths are designed to be used on most floor surfaces, such as: vinyl. porcelain tiles. ceramic tiles.

Clean is a pre-mixed cleaning solution made specially for the Swiffer WetJet all-in-one power mop. It's safe* and fast drying formula dissolves dirt and tough, sticky messes to reveal the natural beauty of your floors.

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.

Do wet Swiffers expire? ›

A: No, they don't expire.

The best way to store Swiffer wet pads is to make sure they remain in their original packaging and that the box is sealed tightly when not in use. Additionally, they should be stored in a dry and cool area away from extreme temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight.

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.