Looking for an eco friendly swiffer alternative? Swiffers are a convenient way to clean your floors, but they can be very wasteful. Each swiffer pad contains synthetic fibers, and once you throw it away, it takes centuries for it to decompose in a landfill. Not only are disposable swiffers bad for the environment, but they’re also expensive. A reusable swiffer mop can save you money in the long run and help reduce waste. In this blog post, we will discuss why disposable swiffers are not eco friendly and how you can switch to a more sustainable option. We will also provide a list of the best eco friendly swiffer alternatives available on the market today!
Why Avoid Disposable Swiffer Pads?
Swiffer pads are one of the most popular cleaning tools on the market, but the fact that they are generally single-use makes them a major source of waste. Each single use pad is made of multiple layers of fabric, plastic, and adhesive, and takes centuries to break down in landfill conditions. In addition, the manufacturing process for swiffer pads uses large amounts of water and energy and generates harmful emissions. As a result, swiffer single-use pads have a significant environmental impact, even when compared to other disposable cleaning products. By swapping to reusable pads, you can create even less waste, which will help you save money and protect the environment too.
What To Use Instead Of Disposable Swiffer Pads?
If you’re looking for a more eco friendly swiffer alternative to achieve clean floors, consider using reusable cleaning cloths instead of swiffer pads. Reusable cloths can be washed and reused many times, significantly reducing their environmental impact. In addition, they are often made of natural materials like cotton, which break down more easily than synthetic fibers.
Another option if you want to avoid a swiffer entirely is to switch to an electric steam mop. Electric steam mops use water to generate steam, which loosens dirt and debris from floors. They are a great eco friendly alternative to swiffers because they do not require the use of disposable pads or chemicals.
How To Save Money With An Eco Friendly Swiffer Alternative
Swiffer is a popular brand of cleaning supplies, known for their dust mops and sweeping pads. However, swiffer products can be expensive, especially if you need to mop a large area and use a lot of disposable pads. If you’re looking for an alternative to Swiffer that’s both wallet- and earth-friendly, consider using an alternative with a reusable microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths can be used wet or dry, and they trap dirt, dust, and hair effectively. Best of all, they can be washed and reused over and over again. Using a microfiber cloth instead of a disposable swiffer pads will help you save money in the long run, and it’s better for the environment too.
The 10 Best Eco Friendly Swiffer Mop And Pad Alternatives
There are many different eco friendly swiffer alternatives on the market, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. To help you make a decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best eco friendly swiffer alternatives, including pros and cons for each.
Compatible With The Swiffer Mop
Turbo Mops Reusable Floor Mop Pads
These reusable pads by Turbo Mops are perhaps the most similar to disposable swiffer pads. They stick directly to the mop head so are easy to apply and remove. These pads are thick and absorbent, so they’re good to use when cleaning up spills or mopping larger areas. However, they are not as effective at trapping dust and hair as some other eco friendly swiffer alternatives. One downside to these mop pads is that they are only suitable for the swiffer wet jet mops and won’t fit a swiffer sweeper.
Pros
- Made of absorbent microfiber that can be used wet or dry
- Pads are easy to apply and remove
- Thick pad absorbs more water than some other options
Cons
- Pads are not as effective at trapping dust and hair
- Only compatible with the swiffer wetjet mop
- May not stick to the mop as well after multiple uses
VanDuck Reusable 100% Cotton Mop Pads
These reusable mop pads by VanDuck are made of 100% cotton, making them eco friendly and durable. The pads are machine washable and can be reused many times. They are also compatible with most types of mops, including the swiffer sweeper. However, they don’t fit the swiffer wetjet mop. These pads are effective at trapping dust and hair, making them great for everyday cleaning. However, they are not as absorbent as some other eco friendly swiffer alternatives and may need to be changed more frequently when cleaning up spills. These pads have elastic to secure them to the mop instead of velcro, so they’re less likely to become less sticky over time.
Pros
- Made of eco friendly 100% cotton
- Strong elastic makes them less likely to fall off
- Effective at trapping dust and hair
Cons
- Not as absorbent as some other eco friendly swiffer alternatives
- May need to be changed more frequently when cleaning up spills
- Only compatible with the swiffer sweeper, not the wetjet mop
Turbo Mops Reusable Mop Pads
These reusable mop pads by Turbo Mops are made of eco friendly microfiber. They are machine washable and can be reused many times. They are also compatible with most types of mops, including the swiffer sweeper. However, they don’t fit the swiffer wetjet mop. These pads are effective at trapping dust and hair, making them great for everyday cleaning and they’re extra thick, which makes them nice and absorbent. These mop pads attach securely with velcro straps that wrap around the head of the swiffer sweeper.
Pros
- Washable mop pads are made of eco friendly microfiber
- Attach securely to the mop with velcro straps
- Effectively trap dust and hair
- Extra thick and absorbent
Cons
- Only compatible with the swiffer sweeper, not the wetjet mop
- May become less absorbent over time
Swiffer Mop Alternatives
O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
This eco-friendly alternative by O-Cedar is a spray mop, so it doesn’t require any disposable pads. It comes with a reusable microfiber pad that can be machine washed up to 100 times. The mop has a built in sprayer that dispenses water or your favorite cleaning solution. The microfiber pad is effective at trapping dust, hair, and dirt. However, it’s not as absorbent as some other eco friendly swiffer alternatives and you may need to use more solution to get the same level of cleanliness.
Pros
- Reusable microfiber pad can be machine washed up to 100 times
- Built in sprayer dispenses water or cleaning solution
- Doesn’t require batteries or power cords to operate sprayer
Cons
- Microfiber pad is not as absorbent as some other eco friendly swiffer alternatives
- You may need to use more cleaning solution to get the same level of cleanliness
Bycarm Squeeze Mop And Bucket Set
This eco friendly swiffer alternative is a mop and bucket set. The bucket has a built in wringer that squeezes the water out of the mop head. This allows you to rinse the mop pad between rounds of mopping, allowing you to reuse the same pad more times before it requires washing. The mop head is made of microfiber, making it eco friendly and durable. It’s also machine washable. The mop head is effective at trapping dust, hair, and dirt.
Pros
- Mop head is made of eco friendly microfiber
- Bucket has a built in wringer that squeezes water out of the mop head
- Mop head is machine washable
Cons
- Need to fill up and empty the water bucket
- Bucket may create more mess
MR.SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop
This eco friendly swiffer alternative is a professional-grade microfiber mop. The mop head is made of eco friendly microfiber and is machine washable. It’s also compatible with most types of mops, including the swiffer sweeper. However, it doesn’t fit the swiffer wetjet mop. The included pads are effective at trapping dust and hair, making them great for everyday cleaning. They’re also extra thick, which makes them nice and absorbent. This mop includes a dirt removal scrubber, which makes it easier to clean debris off the pads before you throw them in the washing machine.
Pros
- Mop head is made of eco friendly microfiber
- Dirt removal scrubber makes it easy to remove debris from pads
- Extra thick and absorbent pads
Cons
- Only compatible with the swiffer sweeper, not the wetjet mop
- May become less absorbent over time
Studio 24 Cuban Style Mop
A Cuban mop is a t-shaped piece of wood that it used with a cleaning cloth to mop floors. It’s a super simple alternative to a swiffer and is a very environmentally friendly option. This Studio 24 Cuban Style Mop is a great choice if you want to avoid plastic as it’s made entirely from wood. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a disposable pad, so you’ll need to provide your own.
Pros
- Very environmentally friendly
- Made entirely from wood
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a disposable pad so you’ll need to provide your own
- Easy to use
Electric Steam Mops
PurSteam Steam Mop 10-in-1 With Detachable Handheld Unit
This eco friendly swiffer alternative is an electric steam mop. The mop head is made of microfiber and is machine washable. It comes with a detachable handheld unit, making it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas. This unit can also be used as a handheld garmet steamer, making the PurSteam Steam Mop one of the most versatile options on this list. The unit is lightweight and maneuverable, making it easy to use. The mop head is effective at trapping dust, hair, and dirt.
Pros
- Versatile steam mop can be used on multiple surfaces
- Detachable handheld unit can be used as a garmet steamer
- Lightweight and maneuverable
Cons
- Handheld unit may not be as powerful as a standalone garmet steamer
- Smaller 12.8oz water tank
- Provides 12-25 minutes of steam per tank so you may need to refill multiple times for mopping larger areas
Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop
The bissell steam mop is another popular steam mop alternative. The head is made of microfiber and is machine washable. It has a built-in scrubber, making it easy to remove stubborn dirt and debris. The mop also comes with a fragrance disk that releases a fresh scent while you clean. It has a removable water tank, making it quick and easy to refill. The mop is lightweight and maneuverable, making it easy to use. It’s also easy to assemble and comes with a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Built in scrubber makes it easy to remove stubborn dirt and debris
- Fragrance disk releases a fresh scent while you clean
- Removable water tank makes it easy to refill
Cons
- Might leave water spots on some surfaces
- Some reviewers note that the unit is not overly sturdy and may fall apart within the 2-year warranty timeframe
- Replacement pads can be expensive
Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop
The Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop is another popular option. It comes with two microfiber pads, making it easy to clean large areas. The mop pads are made of microfiber and are machine washable. The mop is lightweight and easy to use, although is does have a shorter power cord than other options.
Pros
- Two microfiber pads make it easy to clean large areas
- Mop pads are made of microfiber and are machine washable
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
- Shorter power cord than other options
- Some reviewers find that the mop leaves water spots on some surfaces
Final Thoughts
There are many eco friendly swiffer alternatives on the market. Some popular options include reusable microfiber mops like the MR.SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop and electric steam mops like the PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner. When choosing an eco friendly swiffer alternative, consider your needs and preferences. If you have a large home, you may want to opt for a steam mop with a large water tank. If you have pets, you may want to choose a mop with a built-in scrubber to help remove pet hair and dirt. Whatever your needs, there is an eco friendly swiffer alternative on the market for you.
If you’re looking for more ways to reduce waste and live a more eco friendly lifestyle, we also recommend checking out the following posts for some more tips and tricks:
- Getting Started With Natural Household Cleaning Products
- 8 Zero Waste Essentials For Your Kitchen
- 11 Best Eco Friendly Coffee Cups That Will Help You Save Money (And The Environment)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are some eco friendly cleaning products?
A: Some eco friendly cleaning products include white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. You can add a few drops of essential oils to a homemade cleaning solution and use this when mopping to add a fresh, clean smell. You can also find eco friendly cleaning products at your local grocery or health food store. Check out our post on Getting Started With Natural Household Cleaning Products for some more ideas on eco friendly and natural cleaning products.
Q: What kind of cloths are the best to use with a Cuban mop?
A: The best type of cloths to use with a Cuban mop are reusable microfiber cloths. You can find them at your local grocery or hardware store. You can also use most kinds of reusable cleaning pads with a Cuban mop, so if you already have some of these around the house they’ll work too.
Q: How often should I mop my floors?
A: How often you mop your floors depends on a few factors, such as how many people live in your home, whether you have pets, and how much foot traffic you have. In general, it’s a good idea to mop your floors at least once a week. If you have a large home or lots of foot traffic, you may need to mop more often. If you have pets, you may need to mop more often to remove pet hair and dirt.
Q: What kind of floors can a swiffer alternative mop be used on?
A: Most swiffer alternative mops can be used on hardwood, tile, vinyl, and laminate floor. Some mops are designed specifically for hardwood floors or laminate floors. Be sure to read the product description carefully to make sure the mop you choose is suitable for your type of floor.
Q: Can I use a swiffer alternative mop on carpet?
A: No, you should not use a swiffer alternative mop on carpet. Mops are designed for hard surfaces and will not work well on carpet. If you need to clean your carpets, you can rent a carpet cleaner from your local grocery or hardware store. You can also hire a professional carpet cleaning company to clean your carpets for you.