Cleaning the floors!

I was so addicted to my Swiffer Wet Jet I never conceived the idea of giving it up.  But at almost $7 for 12 refill mop cloths  and I can't even remember how much the cleaning solution was...I had to find something else.  So, I conceded to the mop and bucket.  But, I HATED it...my floors never seemed to be clean, were always sticky no mater what I used, and the mop always looked nasty...and of course it had to be replaced periodically.  Mop heads if it was a rag mop, sponges, or the entire thing when it broke...no thank you!  After watching a few infomercials Jim and I decided we should invest in a steam mop.

Why a steam mop?  Well, no chemicals, reusable, uses water, cleans well...So, we headed to Target.  It was a toss up between 2...this is the one we chose:

Shark Steam Pocket Mop

 The retail value of this is $119.  However, we were able to get it on sale for $99 with a $10 Target Gift Card...nice, huh?

This has been great!  It comes with 2 mop heads that are very easy to change.  As you can see it comes with a triangle which has been very usefull for getting into tight corners and around the toilet.  The XL Open Area covers everything else.  This mop also comes with 2 of the triangle microfiber mop covers, 2 XL microfiber mop covers, 1 XL Steam Duster mop head, and a carpet glider.

The carpet glider allows the mop head to glide across your carpet...which can freshen and deodorize your carpet.  I LOVE this!  I have used it on several occasions.  Does not leave the carpet wet, sticky, matted, etc.  It is NOT a carpet cleaner however!

Carpet Glider Attachment

Another nice feature is the mop can "flip" so that both sides of the mop cover can be used.  No stopping to change when it is dirty!  Just flip and go!  Each mop covers is washable, reusable, and cleans up very nicely!   ***Note ~ DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER!!! Fabric softener causes microfiber to loose its absorbency and will ruin the cloth!***

Now, I will admit... I do miss the smell of my Wet Jet solution.  Funny I know...but it is what it is!

There are other options.  If you absolutely LOVE your Wet Jet (or other style such as Mr. Clean, Orange Glo, etc.) there is a reusable option!   Kristy Tillman of The Daisy Company is a WAHM that makes reusable mop heads.

Go Green Starter Kit 2 (picture NOT mine, taken from website)

She even makes them for the Swiffer Sweeper and Swiffer Duster (something else that I am tired of paying to replace, so gonna check it out myself!).  All of her items are washable, reusable, guaranteed, and even better...MADE IN THE USA!  Go check her out!  Her site is supported by The Wading Pool; this site support several WAHM's and their families.

As of right now I haven't found a suitable replacement for the Swiffer Solution. I searched Tip Nut.com for ideas. The only thing I found were patterns for making your own Swiffer Cloths and a tip on how to remove the cap off the Swiffer Solution bottle.  But, no advice on what to put it in.  Vinegar maybe?  Just one idea that I could think of.


So, just another idea of being green and saving money while I am at it.  I've had my Shark for 6 months now.  And in the past I would purchase 2 boxs of Swiffer Wet Jet Mop Cloths and 2 bottles of Wet Jet Cleaning Solution every month (Okay...so I like a clean floor!!!!).  That averages out to having been about maybe $100 or more by now?  So, in 6 months my Shark Steam Mop has paid for itself!