We did it. After a few months of passively wishing that we were using reusable microfiber cloths to dust our house (instead of disposable Swiffer duster pads) we finally made the switch. We’re use-up-what-you-have-before-getting-something-new people, so we were counting down those last few Swiffer pads until the box was finally empty (here it is in our recycling bin)…
…and we could replace them with a five pack of white microfiber cloths (snagged for just $5 at TJ Maxx).
Why is this big news for us? Well since we were going through a few Swiffer duster pads a week (remember our detailed cleaning rundown right here?) we realized that if microfiber cloths are just as good at attracting dust and can easily be washable we can save around 150+ Swiffer pads, plus their packaging each year from landfills. And that might seem like a tiny upgrade to you guys, but every little bit helps. And just imagine if a few of you also make the switch to washable microfiber cloths (which are also great for polishing things, wiping down computer screens, cleaning up spills and even doing dishes in lieu of disposable sponges). All that reusing could really start to add up.
Plus we’d been meaning to make the switch for a while, and when a few helpful readers commented that microfiber cloths were their secret dusting weapon (back on our cleaning post) that was all that it took to confirm that we should go for it. And I must admit they’re pretty darn awesome. They definitely attract just as much dust as our old Swiffer pads did and they just feel like such a nice little upgrade since they’re plush and fluffy and not scratchy and disposable. Not that we rub our dust rags all over our bodies or anything, but you know what we mean…
So what do you guys think? Any takers? Anyone else making a simple switch like that around their house to save some pennies or reuse something wisely? We’re definitely sure there are other cleaning upgrades out there that we have yet to discover. Do tell.
yay for the green switch! I also use microfiber clothes and have never looked back. Also, i see your method stainless steel cleaner. Isn’t that stuff the BEST!? It works better then any chemically version I’ve ever tried.
I cut up old t-shirts and use just a touch of dusting spray on the rag itself. Works like magic! Three cheers for reusing clothes that might eventually wind up in landfills, and using less of the harmful chemicals in dusting spray.
We switched to fabric cloths for cleaning and only organic cleaners awhile back for both the penny pinching savings and also the environmental factors (yes every little bit does help!), but also because myself and our youngest son have allergies and asthma. This was no miracle cure, so I do not want to mislead anyone, but my son has had far less symptoms this allergy season and his extremely sensitive skin has not broken out once since we switched laundry detergents to an organic product.
We also stopped buying all paper products with the exception of toilet paper (for obvious reasons with 6 people in our home). I found all of our fabric napkins at second hand stores or garage sales, washed them once with hot water and bleach, and now just launder normally. I bought some very inexpensive plates to use for the kids instead of paper plates, same with cups. All in all I would guess our yearly savings will be something like $300. That’s almost a months worth of groceries!
So, can you use the microfiber cloths in your Swiffer broom/mop thing just like you would the Swiffer cloths? Thanks for the many, many helpful tips you write about every day.
Hey Jean,
You know what, you probably could! We don’t actually use a Swiffer broom or mop (we just used the duster pads because they seemed to attract dust like magnets) but perhaps you can use elastics or velcro or some other method (just sticking the edges into the tabs that the Swiffers get stuck into) to make it work? That would be another great way to reuse them- plus they’d probably clean more thoroughly and last a lot longer since they’re thicker. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
We also love our microfiber cloths!
Savings suggestion: If you buy your cloths at a big box store (Target, Walmart, etc.), you can save several dollars by buying them in the automotive section. Same cloths, lower prices. Win win!
Happy dusting!
Thanks for all the tips guys! It’s so great to hear all your secrets, from cutting up t-shirts to hitting up the automotive department for cheaper cloths!
xo,
s
They even sell them at Sam’s club. I believe 25 cost about 13$. I used them for years as diaper inserts so now the old inserts are great cleaning rags. Thanks for a great website. Today was my first visit but I will return often.
I love microfiber cloths! You will too………….CONGRATS on the new nephew!
I love the microfiber clothes…I’ve used them for years! Got my first one my freshmen year of college to wipe dust in the dorm!!
I’ve slowly been switching over to eco-friendly cleaning products, comparing prices at different stores, etc., and just wondered what you use for mirror/glass cleaner and toliet bowl cleaner. I see 7th Gen & Mrs Meyers makes a version.
Any one else recommend anything?
Hey Amy,
We use Mrs. Meyer’s All Purpose Soap for mirrors (love a product that multitasks- we also use it on our counters, floors, etc) and Mrs. Meyer’s Shower Spray actually comes in handy when we’re cleaning the toilet. You can check out our exhaustively detailed cleaning post (which we linked to in the bottom of this post) for more info.
xo,
s
I recycle my used dryer sheets. They are a great duster. I found this out when I used them to wipe the dusty lint off the top of my dryer. They are also great to dust the front of the TV screen which just attracts the dust.
I love microfiber clothes, but they always feel icky in my hands…need to find a good lotion pronto!! Yay for the green switch!!
There are directions to make your own Swiffer pads and duster that you can throw in the washer. On Ohdeedoh…look at Two Reusable Swiffer Tutorial…that’s if you want to go as far as sewing your own. They fit right on the the mop and the duster. In case anyone is interested.
I have used microfiber cloths for a while and I love them, but I am so glad Heather commented – that makes me feel so much better – I thought something was seriously wrong with me!
We made the switch recently, too. I got so sick of throwing away Swiffers, and they’re not exactly cheap, either.
Now I just need a better quick & easy solution for my tile floors. I’m still wet-swiffering those. What do you guys use for your floors?
Hey Cindy,
You can read more about our cleaning play-by-play on the post we linked to at the bottom of this one, but we generally use a Dirt Devil Kurv to suck up all the dust bunnies in the corners and under things quite often and every once in a while we use cloths and Mrs. Meyer’s All Purpose Cleaner (watered down a bit) to really scrub things down (our tip would be not to leave anything too wet since our floor guy said that’s murder to hardwood). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
We love dusting with microfiber!
I think this is a great idea! We have a golden retriever and use a TON of swiffer refills. Only question-does anyone know how the microfiber cloths do on dog hair?
I have those same microfib cloths from TJ Maxx – mine are green! Luv ’em.
My mom makes her own dryer sheets. She gets a washcloth, soaks it in fabric softener (a la Downy), then hangs it up to dry. When it’s dry, she uses it in place of a dryer sheet. It can be used about 15 times. Then, just wash it and repeat!
Yes! Great switch! I have been using the microfiber clothes for awhile and they do a great job- wet or dry. They are also great for cleaning up spills because they soak up so much liquid.
to lauren above: they work great for dog hair, but you may want to separate the ones you use for dusting and dog hair cleaning because I feel like even after a good wash they are never fully rid of the dog hair.
Hi Youngsters,
Someone may have mentioned this, but also wanted to let you all know that felt (the plain ol’ Sunday School story-board kind) works great as a swiffer replacement. A yard is about $1 and you can just cut it into squares for easy cleaning. I’ve been using it instead of Swiffers for about 5 years, and it works great. It has the same scientific-electro-static-ish property that swiffers have. :) PB
Shark Steam mop! It’s unbelievable and the velcro microfiber pads are rewashable and can be used on just about any flooring–no chemicals needed! I’ve already talked 4 of my friends into buying one (with a 20% off coupon from BB&B saves you $24)…
I have a few microfibre cloths that I switched to a few years ago, and I love ’em! I also have a few old t-shirts in a pile waiting for me to cut them up into kitchen rags.
I also second the notion of buying them in the automotive section! I have a fantastic microfibre “car wash” towel that was like $5. Microfibre is fantastic for drying your hair because it prevents rubbing damage. You can blot your hair dry, or twist it into a hair turban for a few minutes and then you’re ready to air or hair-dryer dry it. Rubbing your hair with a normal towel can break the strands and lift the cuticle making hair look less shiny.
I bought the yellow car wash microfiber cloths from Costco for my preschool (huge package for around $9). They are great for dusting and AWESOME for mopping up spills…one cloth can handle a whole pitcher of spilled juice.
I just had the conversation about not using Swiffer anymore with my husband the other night. He loves them, but I already have a couple microfiber cloths that we could use instead. Hopefully I’ll convince him to switch over, once we run out.
I didn’t see it mentioned, but I assume you’re using these cloths “dry” – no dusting spray required?
Hey Kevin,
They actually work really well when they’re a teeensy bit damp with just a few drops of water. Nothing crazy, just a bit of moisture since it seems to cling to dust better (although they also work totally dry if you have any pieces you don’t want to get wet, etc). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Yeah!! Just yesterday I was thinking about this. DH swiffers everyo ther day…so we go through A LOT of those pads. Yesterday he did our bedroom and it was just so gross he needed to use more than one pad! (we hadn’t cleaned the bedroom in a few weeks since we were on vaca and then slow to unpack our bags when we got back). After seeing all that dirt on the pad, laying in the garbage can, I was wishing they made re-useable pads for the swiffer. Well, I guess I have found my solution! I will have to stop at TJ Maxx afterwork. Thanks for the great suggestion!
we also use our micro-fiber cloths on our swiffer broom. I sewed some ribbon onto the outside of the cloth and just tie it around the broom. Also, we get our microfiber cloth from the dollar store, DEALS. I think its 2 for a dollar. Not only is better for the environment but its better for your wallet.
I use the microfiber clothes on the bottom of my swiffer vac (that has a duster and a vac part to it). I also use them on our furniture. I always add a little Endust or whatever you use to them and my wood floors and furniture stay dust free longer than when I was using throw-away dusters!
I love microfiber for my floors. I sew two or three together to make a tube, and then slip them on my regular mop handle where I used to put a rag mop. The ones I use for my floors I bought in the automotive section. They are a different color and bigger than my other cleaning ones. I can get them really wet for the kitchen & bathroom floors, and barely damp for the wood floors in the rest of the house.
@ Heather & Jennifer – They do make some smoother cloths, that don’t grab your hands. They are much thinner and more expensive. But well worth not having the “icky feeling” I wish I could remember where I found mine.
Amy, I use a “green” toilet bowl cleaner by Clorox…many times it is buy one get one–love it :)
I use microfiber cloths for cleaning, dusting, etc. I used to use the Swiffer pads the same way – they are really great for picking up dust. I also use cloths instead of paper towels to wipe counters and clean in the kitchen. I do keep paper towels on hand, especially for cleaning kitchen counters when I’ve been working with meat or chicken. I use Mrs. Meyers for everything; it smells great, cleans really well, and even though it’s a little more expensive, one bottle goes a loooong way. I bought a spray bottle at the 99-cent store, diluted some Mrs. Meyers with water, and I use it for everything.
I also bought a microfiber sweeper at Target (sorry, I don’t have the brand name) that has a removeable, machine washable pad. It holds up very well to washes, works great, and I just throw it in the washer with the rest of my cloths.
I also use the spray bottle of Mrs Meyers on my hardwood floors and it works great without making it sticky. I spray a little on the floor and wipe with the microfiber sweeper. I’m sure there are other products which make the floor shinier, but it’s perfectly clean and the house smells great!
Odd question – do you use a dry cloth to dust or do you use a spray with your cloth? My husband and I are trying to be much more eco-friendly (as I know you two are) and wondered what your plan of attack was. ;)
Hey Nicole,
They actually work really well when they’re a teeensy bit damp. Nothing crazy, just a bit of moisture since it seems to cling to dust better (although they also work totally dry if you have any pieces you don’t want to get wet, etc). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I started using microfibers for cleaning when my mom gave a stack to everyone she knew as a Christmas gift along with her organic cleaning product recipes. I use them everywhere now. I love them especially for: cleaning windows (water only, don’t even need Windex), wiping up after caulking trim, and I even use them when I wash my face at night (great at removing eye makeup!).
We use microfiber cloths when cleaning sometimes but this is a great idea to make the switch! One problem though – I HATE the feeling of microfiber. I probably should wear gloves when I need to clean with it.
We use microfiber cloths to dust and love them. We got them cheap at a nearby drugstore in their automotive isle – ones that absorb a lot of water. Well they dust well too! We have 2 cats and have to clean up a lot of cat hair that gets over everything and they work great. I’d assume they would work well with other animal hair, like the person above who asked if they work on dog hair.
I signed in to mention that microfiber cloths are WAY cheaper in the automotive section, but somebody beat me to it. I LOVE microfiber.
I recently helped my mother-in-law, who had had knee-replacement surgery, do some dusting–furniture & floors. She had the disposable dusters, & they really did work–but no better than the microfiber ones. So now I know.
I also recently discovered that a wet microfiber cloth cleans mirrors & glass fine. I used to use vinegar & water for this task, but now I don’t even bother with that. In fact, I find that for many uses I don’t need anything but water with these cloths.
I used to have a Clorox Readymop (like the Swiffer Wet Jet). It died, but before it did I found an eBay seller who made reusable pads for it. If you’re not into DIY. :-)
Look for automotive microfiber rags at Target (usually orange or gray in color) which are often on sale! They don’t stain like the white microfiber rags, they’re larger in size, and you get more rags for the price than in the cleaning isle!
And the great tips keep on coming! Thanks so much for all the ideas guys. Who knew the topic of dusting could be so exciting?
xo,
s
I love your blog! This may sound like a silly question. Do people wash the dirty microfiber cloths in a regular laundry load with your clothes? Does it cause any problems if you have spray cleaner on the microfiber cloths? Somehow that creeps me out a little, as if the household cleaner would contaminate the clothes forever. Probably I just need to get over the mental block, but assurances based on real world experience might help. Thanks!
Good question Kirsten,
I think the majority of people who use microfiber cloths use them dry, a bit moist with just water (as we do) or with just a dab of organic cleaner like Mrs. Meyers, so any of those methods seem less gross than the toxic stuff when it comes to throwing them in with the rest of your load of laundry. We usually wash ours along with our dishtowels and bathroom towels if that helps. It seems more organized, you know… towels with towels. Hehe.
xo,
s
Microfiber cloths are actually they only thing that gives my windows a streak-free shine. They pick up everything, and I just use a squirt bottle of plain old water! It’s so nice to do away with the smelly chemical Windex entirely.
I switched to microfiber cloths and wash cloths for cleaning when we bought our new house. There is so much to clean (and scrub) in this new house that I am really glad I did so. It’ saved me a fortune in paper towels!
Tip: don’t use fabric softener on the microfiber cloths. It ruins them!
Great reminder Jenny! We don’t use fabric softener in our house so we didn’t think to mention it, but we’ve heard that fabric softeners can ruin the absorptive powers of microfiber cloths so it’s a great tip to forgo the fabric softener if you can!
xo,
s
I use the Clorox ready mop (after the handle on my Swiffer broke!). I just refill the bottle with my own cleaning solution & use washable rags (cheapo 5pk from one of the marts) in place of their pads; I love it.
I’ve been using MF cloths for years. I first started with my late teen years using them to clean then ins and outs of my cars. Use one on the outside to wash the car with suds, then one to do the detail work on the interior. Then they moved on to scrubbing the sinks, tubs, and outter part of the toilet and then the dishes (just remember, seperate towels for all of these!) Now we use them for cleaning the furniture. They’re soft, washable, and clean really well. With only those 5 towels, you have one for each task you need to clean with that you use on a daily basis!
I use microfiber cloths everyday! I have the same ones from Home Goods, but in green, for my kitchen. They dry our pots and pans instantly. For dusting and cleaning I bought a pack from the auto section in Target. They are the same texture and quality of the pricier ones in the cleaning section but cost a fraction of the price. They are also pretty big, so you can easily strap them to your swiffer-type mop head for a quick-fix floor cleaning.
I use cloth rags for cleaning that are I make by cutting up old ratty t-shirts and sheets. I wash them in the machine, and keep them in a box in my linen closet. If one gets particularly yucky, I’ll throw it out, but I never seem to run out.
With the addition on dog #3 hair was starting to take over our floors in a whole new way (who knew that such a little pug could shed so much hair?!!)A broom never really cut it for us, but we made due until now. We recently went through the “to swiffer or not to swiffer” debate, but the whole use-it-and-toss-it thing didn’t really sit well with us either. There are a TON of reusable cloth pads on etsy made just for swiffers, but we ended up buying a simple dust mop for our tile floors and it works like a charm! The pad it came with has microfiber nubbies on it, it is washable, and you can buy replacements at Target.
We also recently got rid of paper towels. We are still weighing the pros and cons since we seem to go through a lot of cloths that require laundering, but so far it hasn’t been too bad! We’re not brave enough to try reusable cloth for toilet paper (so very very gross) but we did switch to stuff made from 100% post consumer waste and we haven’t looked back.
For those of you who don’t live near a whole foods or sprouts, I found that Walmart has started carrying a few 7th Generation products, and we are switching our cleaners to Watkins stuff (biodegradable, phosphate free, plant based, awesome awesome awesome!) I found mine at our local Target and I am totally sold on this line!
I switched from using disposable cloths to the OXO microfiber duster with the handle. It’s a lot easier to use, the cloth’s detachable and it’s washable too.
the cloths at trader joes are better than the ones you posted.
My mom got me a box of ShamWows from Target for my birthday. They have drastically reduced the number of paper towels I use!
I’m new to your blog and absolutely LOVING it!!! I, too, use microfiber cloths for cleaning and they are great. One tip, they are great to use on stainless appliances. I have 2 preschoolers who feel a need to put what seems like hundreds of hand prints on the refrigerator every day…one quick wipe down with a barely damp cloth and it looks brand new again.
Awesome stainless steel tip Karen (and Emma)! So glad you found our blog. It’ll definitely come in handy with our fridge and dishwasher!
xo,
s
Great idea. We try to recylcle as much as possible and although we don’t go through that many swiffers, I never thought about buying reusable cloths to attach to my swiffer sweeper. Thanks for the tip!!!
I heart you guys. I’m integrating more GREEN in my CLEAN each day. So, thank you for the tips because I’m taking them to heart (and home).
HUGS.
I’d strongly recommend the flylady products – http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop.asp – she sells a thing called a rubber scrubba and one on a stick called a rubber sweepa. They’re very cheap and are amazing at picking up dust, crumbs, dog hair etc from floors/furniture. She also sells microfibre clothes that are supposedly better than the ones you buy in stores and cheaper too.
There’s also a mop that comes with reusable microfibre cloths.
Way cheaper than swiffer products and refills.
No association with flylady, just a tip