A few months ago, I purchased a Swiffer Power Mop. I wanted something easy, because my previous mops were the usual twist and pull and whatever, and with my osteoarthritis, my hands sometimes hurt and the wringing action was putting tremendous strain on my joints.
I knew I didn't want a very expensive mop, I just wanted something inexpensive, but something that would do the job. I've had multiple swiffers over the years and they were never great for mopping, at least I didn't think they were. So, when I bought this one I was a little apprehensive but just thought no matter what it would help my hands and that's what I needed.
I have now had it for a few months and will say that I love it, it's easy to use, it does a great job, but I did have to hack it so to speak, in a few ways. In other words, I had to change and DIY a little for it to be even better.
Because this is a homemaking blog and I always share my tips and tricks that I have found, that help me around my home, I of course had to come and show you as well. What's the point of finding something great and a tip that will save money, if we don't share it with others right?
The first thing I noticed that I didn't like, were the cleaning pads that came with the mop, and the ones that you have to buy, obviously. They can be a bit pricey and honestly, I found them to be a bit flimsy and easily fall apart, they also don't have any kind of rough surface to get hard spots out.
I was looking online and came across these re washable pads for the Swiffer Power Mop. They were very inexpensive, I got them on Amazon and I must say, I LOVE them. They clean so well and go right in the washer when needing a refresh.
They don't fall apart, they cling right to the mop bottom, they wash really well and come out looking like new. Definitely a must purchase if you have one of these mops. The package comes with 7 pads, and was just $9.99.
Just for you to compare the two. At Walmart the Refill pack is $9.94 for 5 refills which you can't wash and have to throw out. In my mind the reusable and washable ones are much better quality, work well and can be washed, so it's a winner to me.
The next thing I wanted, was to be able to refill the cleaner solution myself with a homemade one, or another type of cleaner. Each of the refill bottles is around $6, but it will be much cheaper if I don't have to keep buying it.
Getting around this was a bit more difficult, because it doesn't have a lid per say. Of course it has a lid but it's not one that you can easily pop off or twist off. It took a bit of digging around online and ultimately I ended up asking Chat GPT to help me, and it did.
So, the way to refill these. You need to boil some water, pour the water into a bowl, then take the empty solution bottle, turn it upside down and place it, lid size down in the bowl. Leave it in for about a minute.
The hot water loosens the plastic tabs inside and makes it easier to remove it. The next step is to take a butter knife, pop it under the purple lid and lift gently all around.
I then just slide the knife up and into one of those holes at the top, pushed gently and it popped right off.
I usually make my own solution but I did have a bit left in the Lysol bottle, so I poured all of that into the container, filled the rest of the way up with water, and replaced the lid back on nice and tight.
Popped it back into my mop and it works perfectly.
As soon as this solution ends, I will be making my own. Usually I do:
2 cups warm water
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 70%
1 teaspoon of dish soap (I use Ivory)
Optional: essential oil (I don't do that very often, but sometimes I will add a few drops of lavender)
I hope you find these tips helpfu, as I said above, when I find something that works well for me, I immediately want to share it with all the other homemakers out there.
It has saved me quite a bit of money, and I love that I can make a safer solution without all the added chemicals.
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