Cleaners work because they contain surfactants, which allows dirt to be loosened up and carried away with the water. In contrast, microfiber cloths have tiny scrubbers which grab dirt and lift it away without the need for surfactants. Also, because microfiber cloths are ultra-absorbent, they're not just pushing the dirt around, they really grab and lock in the dirt. (Do note that I still use disinfectants on my kitchen counters.) I recommend washing them on their own because of this very "grabby" nature. They can't be washed with anything that creates lint. I'm not going to figure out what does and doesn't create lint, so I just wash them on their own. (I do wash two different type of microfiber cloth together, though.) By the way, don't buy the "microfiber" they sell in grocery stores. It's nowhere near the same quality you'll find elsewhere. I'm half convinced that those inferior products are put on the shelves to convince consumers that they can't do without their cleaning chemicals. Here is a link that might be useful: How microfiber works

Rubbing alcohol is also frequently mentioned as an ingredient in many home-made window cleaning solutions for the same reason that krissie mentioned.

Good idea. Swiffer replacement cloths seem to be more expensive now than when they first came out. Unit price at Costco today was $0.58 each.

Thanks. My 9yo is tall and I don't think she'd have a problem. We don't have inside pets now and after spending several days perusing this board it's really scared me off having any pets in the house ever, lol. But with two children I'm guessing we'll end up with one sooner or later. We live on a farm and we're all traipsing in and out all day so our floors do get used a lot. I'm more concerned with getting up gritty dirt, kitchen spills, and toddler crumbs than pet hair. geguymw - it sounds like you're familiar with the Bissell. Two things bother me about the Bissell that maybe you can answer. One is I wonder how well it "lays down" to vacuum under furniture. The other is how well it'll get into tight spaces, say if you have a few inches next to an end table. It looks to me like if I get the Bissell it'll just be for quickie cleaning 2-3 times a week and I'll also need a vacuum with attachments to clean area rugs and crevices. OR I can just buy a larger vacuum and pray she'll always remember to turn the roller brush off. (She's very blonde and she "forgets" a lot, lol.) I guess I'm leaning toward a stick vac just to keep it easier/fun for her to manage that task. Getting out the big vacuum is a weekly chore I don't look forward to now, mainly because my current vac doesn't do well with edge cleaning. Here's another stick vac I'm looking at. It's more expensive but I like that you don't have to buy replaceable filters for it, it lays flat for vacuuming under furniture, and looks easier to empty the dirt without spilling it. But I'm afraid I'll come in one day and find her vacuuming with the beater brush on by accident so maybe I'd better stick with the bissell. ugh, I realize this is a dumb thing to be hung up on but those floors were expensive and I want them to last until she's an old lady. Thanks for the help. Here is a link that might be useful: Hoover cyclonic stick