The thought for this re-usable swiffer cover came about when I was expecting. I’ve always bought the disposable swiffer covers before, but it seemed when I would run out I would always forget to pick more up at the store. That being said, I’m afraid my kitchen floor went 3 weeks without being mopped when I was pregnant because there was no way I was going to get down on my hands and knees and scrub. I think I finally convinced my husband to wash the floor for the remainder of my pregnancy, or he just did it because the floor was disgusting.
Then it dawned on me one day that I could so make my own reusable covers. So that is what I did, and they work great. No more running out and scrubbing on my hands and knees.
Here’s how I did it, in case you’re interested 🙂
Trace your swiffer mop on a piece of paper.
Measure an inch away from the tracing, and cut it out.
Place your pattern on some fabric and cut out as many as you think you will need. Sorry my pictures are pretty dark, but I hope you can tell I used terry cloth. You don’t need to go buy any terry cloth or even a towel for this project. If you are like me, you can find several old towels in your linen closet to use.
You will need to finish your edges or the cloth will keep fraying. I simply serged mine, but you could easily zig zag around the edges for the same effect.
The only thing you may need to purchase for this project is some elastic, unless you have some on hand. A good rule of thumb to use when determining how much elastic you need is about half the length of the perimeter. Plus a little just in case.
I little advice from experience, don’t use the cheap elastic you find at Wal-mart, even though that huge roll of it seems like a smokin’ deal. It just doesn’t have the same “boing” (is that a word), or retraction that the good stuff from Joann’s has. Therefore, it won’t curl up as much, even when stretched to the max. The elastic I used was 1/4 inch, knitted elastic.
The next step is to begin sewing the elastic on, around the outside and on the wrong side of the fabric, if there is a wrong side. The key here is to stretch the elastic as much as it will stretch while sewing. Sometimes a little practice for this technique would be useful. It can be kinda tricky. Make sure you are using a zig zag stitch so the stitches will stretch and retract with the elastic.
Once you have sewn the elastic completely around, you are finished. You can even give it to your children to wear as a hat. (Yes, I have a thumb sucker. Any suggestions?)
Make sure you make several of them, unless you are way better than me at doing laundry. I just love my new swiffer covers!
And for some added interest to this blog post, I used the same technique to make some bar stool covers at my mothers request. She uses one in her bathroom when she gets ready, and wanted some removable/washable covers.
I used slightly thicker elastic for this project.
Personally, I thought it was ingenious for my mother to think of this. Imagine the possibilities. You could change out the look of your bar stools almost daily!
Thanks for stopping by!
I've used my own Swiffer "sheets" for years. And I'm even more lazy about my homemade version.<br /><br />I found that you can use any soft fabric (like a microfiber cloth, etc.) cut big enough to push into those parts on the Swiffer head. No need to really sew them ;-)<br /><br />When dirty (a one-time use for our house…two dogs!) they go into the laundry. I have used this
Thank you for sharing your gift of creativity with us. I am amazed at the talent God has blessed you with.<br /><br /> As far as the thumb sucking. Let her suck. I sucked my thumb until I was probably 11 or 12. My parents tried everything to try to get me to stop. I became a closet thumb sucker. I never needed braces either. I think they give it up when they are ready. Just love them, love
Love It And Your Little Girl Is Way Too Cute !!!
Awesome idea! I'm off to get out the sewing machine! 🙂
I love this idea! I don't have a Swiffer, but something similar that use and the reusable covers I get for it look exactly like yours. I only wished that I sewed ;o) Thanks for sharing!
What a good idea! I have the stick, but can't bring myself to keep buying the money suck..uh..cleaning pads…but this is a MUCH better idea! 😀
What a great idea! I've tried using micro-fibre cloths but this is genius! And so "green"; you aren't throwing away disposable cloths, AND you are reusing old towels!<br /><br />I'm visiting from Just Something I Whipped Up. Have a great day!<br /><br />http://thenestyblog.blogspot.com/
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Great idea!<br />I have a swiffer and I would always run out before getting to the store the buy more.
Very cute.
Thanks for the reply. I am definetly not on top of the floors, lol. I'm going to make one of these soon though, for sure 🙂
What a clever idea. Thank you for sharing. You have a great little blog & I'm a new follower.<br />CAS
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on <a href="http://www.craftcrave.net" rel="nofollow">CraftCrave</a> today [25 Feb 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Great idea! I am a big swiffer fan but hate shelling out the money for the cloths! Do you use these for the sweeping and the mopping (swiffer and swiffer wet)? <br /><br />Jill<br />womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com
Great Idea! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Love this. I think i need to do this too. I use my swiffer a little too much and this would be much much cheaper!