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Homemade "Swiffer" |
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-- Baby Boomers -- Family - -- Green -- Home and Auto -- -- In Critical Condition -- Lifestyle -- -- Just Starting Out -- Money -- |
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Have you seen or heard of any "homemade" Swiffer cloths similar to those now being marketed for dusting? These cloths are quite remarkably effective, however expensive. What's their secret? Use a very slightly damp dust cloth. Buy a bunch of cotton cloth diapers. Wash them once before initial use. Dampen ever so slightly, a little water in a plastic bag, add several diapers, let sit a while to distribute dampness. You can safely dust anything with these cloths. They aren't wet or even very damp, just "humid". Switch cloths as they become soiled. Drape over a floor mop to get the "swiffer" effect. Wash them with your laundry when you have a lot of them. Reuse. No extra agents except water is needed. They trap dust, hair, little particles like a dream. Will last for years. Very basic. Very cheap. Believe it or not, you probably have a version of these in your home already--dryer sheets! The electrostatic that makes these swiffer cloths so great is what helps the dryer sheets eliminate static cling. I always use these for dusting, and they leave a nice fresh smell too! When the swiffer first came out, all they were doing is marketing an already available item under a new name, and for a lot more! I use dryers sheets, as I sad, for dusting everything, especially computer monitors and other really cling-y things like blinds. Stick them with some tape on the end of a ruler or broom/sponge mop, and you have an extendable version for higher spots. When you're finished, though, don't throw the dirty sheet away--put it in the bottom of your garbage can to help eliminate odors. For years I've used Puffs Plus facial tissue during cold and flu season for sore noses, but because of the oils in the tissues, they're great for dusting, too! (They're also much cheaper than Swiffers, at 250 tissues for about $1.39.) Gerber diaper liners (found in Wal-Mart in the baby section near the cloth diapers) are made of material similar to the "Swiffer" cloths, but MUCH cheaper! They are also sized nicely to fit on the Swiffer tool. When I was in the military we had to sweep our hall over and over and over again. The military, of course, doesn't supply one with any sort of specialty floor cleaner, so what we used was a pair of old pantyhose wrapped around a big industrial broom like you'd find in most people's garages. It picked up dirt when you didn't think there was anything there. We used to then throw the pantyhose away (no time allowed for cleaning unauthorized materials!), but I imagine you could easily wash and re-use them. When I saw the commercial for the Swiffer, I thought, well isn't that just special -- I used to do the same thing with my old pantyhose! I showed my husband the add for the "Swiffer" and he told me that it was nothing new, his Mom used to spray "handi-wipes" with "Pledge" for the same effect. Share your thoughts about this article with the editor. Just Click Here and tell us what's on your mind. Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips @stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers! Other Articles to Stretch Your Day and Your Dollar Fireplace Safety Tips Storage Solutions Afraid to Lose Your House or Car? Beat Energy Costs: Lighting First Aid for the Bathroom
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