Today, almost every household in America owns a Swiffer Sweeper or a WetJet. However, as practical as they may be, the pads are single-use products, so concern has been raised about their effect on the environment. If you’re thinking about switching to a greener alternative for Swiffer dry pads, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll provide you with a list of the best replacement Swiffer pads, so make sure to read to the end.
When Swiffer Sweeper and Swiffer WetJet appeared, they were revolutionary at the time. The cleaning routine was completely changed. Swiffer offered a faster, more efficient and user-friendly cleaning. Can you recall a time when you were moving a heavy water bucket and a rag mop around the house while cleaning floors? If you’ve experienced this, you know that Swiffer and products like Swiffer are must more effective.
What are Swiffer Dry Pads?
The great thing about the Swiffer sweeper is that you don’t need any of the old-fashioned tools for cleaning like buckets, dustpans and brooms, which usually take up a lot of space and are not very convenient to use. Although Swiffer offers both dry and wet cleaning, today we’ll focus on their dry pads that are used for sweeping.
Swiffer dry pads are used to collect dirt, dust, hair, allergens, and pet dander from the floor. They can be used on all floor types. One of the most appealing things about pads is their ease of use. Simply attach one to the mop, and once you’re done sweeping, remove the pad and throw it away.
The reason these pads have become so popular and widely used is that they act as a vacuum, sucking everything off of the floor just by moving the sweeper back and forth. With the Swiffer sweeper, you can easily reach under shelves or beds and sweep away all the dirt.
Why Should You Consider Alternatives to Swiffer Dry Pads?
Many would say that the Swiffer Sweeper is the best cleaning tool they have ever had. However, these dry pads can pose a certain hazard to both your and the planet’s well-being. So, it’s better for you to have all the details so you can make an informed decision when shopping for cleaning products.
First, let’s start with the fact that these pads are disposable and non-biodegradable. Swiffer appeared in 1999, and since then millions of people have used the dry pads. When you add that the pads are made of polyester, a synthetic material with many toxic elements embedded in it, you once again realize what an impact they have on the environment. So, not only do Swiffer dry pads create a massive pile in landfills, but they also release toxic chemicals in the environment, contributing to the degradation of the ecosystem and wildlife.
Another thing about these dry pads is their flowery smell. If you think of this feature as positive, you should know that these smells contain fragrances and other harmful ingredients which can carry phthalates or asthmagens. When these fragrance chemicals vaporize into your household, they can cause asthma attacks or disrupt hormones, cause headaches, eyes, nose and throat irritations, or even trigger some more severe conditions.
Overall, Swiffer pads can have a severe impact on both human health and the health of planet Earth. Luckily, more eco-friendly alternatives exist and you can find them in the following section.
The Best Replacements for Swiffer Dry Pads
When you take into consideration everything previously said, you can see that it would be reasonable to start looking for alternatives when it comes to cleaning products. To make it easier for you, we’ve created a list of the best replacements for Swiffer dry pads.
Easily Greener Microfiber Mop Pads
For those of you who love their Swiffer Sweeper and wouldn’t want to give up on it, we have some good news. There’s a way to keep it and still have a greener option. Easily Greener offers microfiber mop pads that are compatible with Swiffer sweeper. You get machine-washable pads that can replace hundreds of disposable refills. They are also safe for all floor types and can efficiently pick up dirt, pet hair and debris. What is great is that these pads can be used for both dry and wet cleaning, for either sweeping or mopping.
Buy on AmazonTurbo Microfiber Mop
This mop is a great alternative to the Swiffer Sweeper, as it comes with reusable and machine-washable pads. These super thick microfiber pads can be washed and used up to 100 times before throwing them away, so they definitely create less waste. Turbo Mop has an advantage over Swiffer in terms of other features, too. It has a 17-inch mop head, which is bigger than most Swiffer models, and thus covers larger areas.
This mop also features a 360-degree rotating head, compared to Swiffer, which swivels at 90 degrees. It is designed for every floor type and easily picks up dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris. Another benefit over Swiffer is that the Turbo Mop has an adjustable aluminum handle that extends up to 60″ for easy cleaning on windows, walls, under the couch and in every other nook and cranny.
Buy on AmazonBona Microfiber Mop
The Bona Mop is an excellent substitute for the Swiffer Sweeper for various reasons, but first of all, it has microfiber pads that are reusable and can be washed in a machine up to 300 times. As in the previous example, the Bona Mop also has a 360-degree swivel head compared to 90 degrees on Swiffer. The mop head is 16.5 inches, which is wider than the standard Swiffer sweeper.
What is particularly great about this mop is that it has soft, flexible corners to protect baseboards and furniture from damage. It also features a telescoping pole with adjustable height for comfortable cleaning. And when it comes to cleaning efficiency, the electrostatic design of this mop traps dust and dirt the same as the Swiffer.
Buy on AmazonLibman Freedom Spray Mop
The Libman Freedom spray mop makes an excellent alternative to both Swiffer Sweeper and Swiffer WetJet because of dry mopping and dusting capabilities and spray-as-you-mop conveniences. Unlike Swiffer, which requires their cleaning solution, Libman has a removable reservoir that you can fill with water or the cleaning solution you choose. Moreover, Libman comes with a microfiber pad that can be washed up to one hundred times. As with Turbo and Bona mops, Libman also has a 360-degree swivel head. What’s most important is that the Libman mop is said to remove 99% of staphylococcus and E. coli on ceramic tile, even with water only.
Buy on AmazonBottom Line
If a Swiffer Sweeper is a part of your cleaning routine, you are probably delighted with its capabilities. But, now that you know what kind of impact these dry pads have on your health and the planet, you’ll probably think twice before buying them next time.
If you want to opt for some greener solutions, take a look at our list of recommendations or search for some other options more suitable for your cleaning needs. It’s time to start cleaning the green way.
