Building a zero waste mopping routine is as much about developing good habits as it is about finding the products you need. Below, you will find everything you need to know as well as several eco friendly Swiffer alternatives to consider.

Complete your zero waste mopping transformation by pairing your eco friendly Swiffer alternative with some green accessories. Most of the tools listed below are long-lasting, one-time investments that fit right into a low waste lifestyle. Spray BottlesAnother popular green alternative is the steam mop, which heats water in its chamber to release steam through a cloth or pad. Apart from loosening up dirt and grime, the high temperatures also aid in killing germs and bacteria from surfaces without having to depend on any harmful chemicals. The All-Purpose Spray by the Home Farm is a sustainable floor cleaner (suitable for any surface) made from a blend of 100% non-toxic organic oils. Once the mop cover is dirty, just throw the item in the wash with your regular wash and tumble or air dry. The Multi-Use Home Cleaner is similar, but in powdered form. It can either be used as a zero waste laundry detergent, dish soap, or mixed with water to clean surfaces.

While Swiffer products captivated us with promises of speed mopping, they’re now viewed as the K-Cups of the cleaning world. Swiffer’s fragrant cleaning solutions have been known to cause various allergies, sinus infections, headaches, loss of coordination, and respiratory problems, as well as ear, nose, and throat irritation. Furthermore, the fumes from these solutions have been found to be extremely toxic to both aquatic plants and animals. I like to use my mops with a spray bottle of water, white vinegar and a citrus essential oil. See my tutorial on how to make a natural floor cleaner. This keeps my laminate and vinyl flooring looking clean and dust free! Wrap these around your Swiffer, spray them with some homemade cleaning solution of hot water and vinegar, and you’ll have yourself a zero waste mop. You could also put your DIY solution into the Swiffer Wetjet compartment for speedier cleaning. Microfiber MopsFinally, once the mop cover has become too worn or dirty to use, cut up and compost everything but the velcro strips! Having said that, there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to truly transparent (complex) supply chains and reassurances against greenwashing. I placed the mop head on the 1cm seam allowance line at both top and bottom and drew a line along the other side of the mop head.