How to Make Reusable Swiffer Refills
Don’t waste your money on those expensive Swiffer refills. Learn how to make your own Reusable Swiffer Refills! Super simple sewing project! 
I love my tile floors. I can’t imagine ever going back to carpet. The amount of filth that is contained in the carpet blows my mind. On the other hand, I must sweep/mop my tile at least once or twice a day because I have kids and a dog. They are pretty much the reasons why I feel like I am always cleaning.
One thing that helps is my Swiffer, but those refills get expensive quickly. Instead of buying refills I made some of my own. They work great, and I can just toss them in the washer! Perfect for a quick floor cleaning without dragging out the vacuum.
How to Make Reusable Swiffer Refills
What you Need
- Any flannel fabric
- Any cotton fabric
- Sewing pins (optional)
- Sewing scissors
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine
Directions
1. Wash, dry, and iron your fabric to prevent any shrinkage (this is a must, you don’t want your Swiffer pads to shrink and go to waste)
2. Measure and cut an 8 1/2″ X 11″ piece of fabric from your flannel
3. Repeat step two with your cotton fabric
4. Place the backs of each of the fabrics together, lining them up evenly
5. (Optional step) if your not the best at sewing and you want to ensure your edges get lined up evenly, pin around all four sides with sewing pins
6. Sew along all four sides, making sure to do a back stitch at all corners and ends
7. Trim off any loose threads
To use:
Set your Swiffer on top of the cotton piece of fabric (you will be using the flannel side to clean) and tuck the four corners into your Swiffer. Use can spray a wood floor cleaner directly onto the floor to use as a wet pad, or without. Once you have used the Swiffer, just toss the reusable Swiffer refill in the washer.
To avoid fray after washing, you can use pinking shears to cut along all the sides or just trim off your frayed edges after washing
More Simple Cleaning Shortcuts
- How to make your own laundry detergent
- Simple Natural Cleaning with a Lemon
- How to Clean Outdoor Kids Toys
Great idea
I have used “orphan” adult socks. Just split up half way, slip the uncut end over the end of the mop head, bring the other end of the sock on around to the other end of the mop head and fasten as usual. It takes less time to do than typing this explanation. The best sock to use is a men’s white tube type athletic sock but any large sock will do. Can be thrown in the wash and tossed in the trash when worn beyond use, no loss no pain. Your sewing idea is great but this is cheaper and just as effective.
I use polar fleece. No sewing, just cut to size. If you have ever had a fleece vest or jacket you know every little speck of lint or hair sticks to it like glue. I dust the floor and then flip it over to the other side and keep dusting! You can use a coupon at JoAnn’s and get a yard of polarfleece and cut many from one yard and just throw them in the wash. I also dampen them and use the swiffer to wipe up the dog drool off my wood floors. I have flannel so I am going to make some of yours next to use for the bathroom floors!
Great idea on the polar fleece! Also, you can wash swiffer sweeper covers – use one side, flip it over use the other side. Keep a container of all your soiled covers and wash them together, they come out clean and can be reused.
I was just thinking if fleece would work because I have a ton of fleece! SOLD! Thanks for mentioning that 🙂
Great idea! I have laminate floors and even though I don’t have pets, quilt-making generates enough debris to require frequent cleaning!
I have a question though. Why not 2 layers of flannel? That way they would be reversible. Also would serging or zig-zagging the edges make it too bulky to fit in the little openings in the top of the swifter?
Thanks for the fabulous idea and the great tutorial!
I use my scrap batting to make my swifter cloths, both for dusting and wet mop. I wash them by placing them in a small or large mesh lingerie bag. Works great!! Always scraps of batting from various projects. Four dachshunds create a lot dust, dirt and mud!!
I use old wash clothes, work great and you can flip them if you wish. Then toss in the wash!
Works great too if you make homemade cleaning solution with essential oil such as Thieves or Tea Tree and store reusable sheet in container.
I thought of another way to improve on the refill. Sew both fabrics right sides together and leave a 3″ opening on one side. Turn right side out. Iron then top stitch around. That way there is no fray, and no need for pinking scissors. Thanks for the tutorial. I have been crochet refills. I like this better. Going to make some for me and both my daughters.