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Money Saving Tips

Swiffer cloths: Dusting/Mopping

22 years ago

Reusing swiffer cloths: I use scraps of flannel or fleece wrapped around my dust mop or for dusting. These attract dust as well as the antistatic cloths (esp. if you mist them first). And are free if they are made of used fleece clothing or fleece scraps.

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Comments (3)

cupajoe
22 years ago
Actually,I use clients swiffer cloths.Since they toss them in the trash,I take them home and wash them instead.They will last as long as about five washings.what I wanted to mention about them though is that they are great for capturing the dust on unclean fans so that it doesn't land all over the room.They are so much easier then ,to wipe with a damp cloth when the dust isn't there to turn to mud.and that is a real lifesaver for me since I suffer from dust allergies,and it keeps me from going into distress on the job.I used them today in a really dirty house and the cloths ,plus the foresight to take allergy meds before I walked through the door probobly saved me a trip to the doctor's office.Sandy
joyfulguy
21 years ago
My underwear tops, old shirts, etc. usually don't last too long as dust cloths - for they are usually in pretty bad shape before i quit wearing them.

I find such material better than such as bed sheets.

Old towels are great, as well.

ole joyful
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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
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Rubbing alcohol is also frequently mentioned as an ingredient in many home-made window cleaning solutions for the same reason that krissie mentioned.
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LindaC has an innovative, low-cost solution that sure makes sense. If bending is an issue, as it is for me (age, you know) the March 2008 issue of Good Housekeeping shows a new Oxo Good Grips Under Buster that "has a special joint in the handle that bends a full 90 degrees, so the mop can slip easily below furniture that's low to the ground. The included microfiber pad is washable and extra wide, but if you prefer a dry disposable cleaning cloth, just attach one to the head." It's a bit pricey at $25, but my back is telling me it might be worth it. It's supposed to hit the stores this month, but we haven't yet found it in any stores where we live. My guess is that this would meet your clearance requirements, which don't appear to be unusually low.
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The ones I got from Walmart are working. My laminate floors took a beating when my 4 kids, 3 spouses, 2 grandkids and 3 dogs were here for a week! I tucked a wet microfiber cloth onto my Swiffer and it did the job! And no streaking! I think I'll cut the one down so it fits the Swiffer better. Kathy G in MI
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Baumer
21 years ago
I use micro cloths,vacuum off. Also I have the red lint brush for vacuum. Hooks on like furniture brush. . Great for drapes -have house I clean . Cat should be bald. But micro cloths I have had some for 5 years. The dust mop held on with velcro. Just vacuum them off and wash.

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