7 Things You Shouldn’t Do with a Swiffer Sweeper

updated Nov 1, 2022
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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Have a dense dust population in a hard-to-reach area? Sounds like a job for a Swiffer Sweeper. This small space-friendly floor tool—plus its sister cleaners, Swiffer Dusters and Swiffer WetJet—has made itself indispensable for sweeping in tight quarters, making it one of the most cost-effective, versatile tools in your home—but the Swiffer Sweeper isn’t great at everything.

What to Remember About a Swiffer Sweeper

Want to get the most out of your Swiffer tools? Here are a few things not to do.

1. Don’t Swiffer sweep without vacuuming first

The Swiffer Sweeper pads will do a better job picking up dirt on floors when the larger dust bunnies are out of the way, so a quick pick-up or vacuum job beforehand could help your duster pack a mightier punch.

2. Don’t use them on your floors right away

You can get extra cleaning mileage by using your Swiffer pad to wipe off less-dirty areas, like a tabletop or shelf, with the clean pad before starting on the floors.

3. Don’t use a Swiffer Sweeper for major cleaning jobs

While a Swiffer is a great tool for everyday cleaning (especially if you vacuum first), don’t use it if there’s a lot of dirt or other debris on your floors. These bigger messes might be a better job for the Swiffer WetJet, or a regular mop or vacuum.

4. Don’t use generic pads

While generic pad options may seem more cost-effective upfront, many generic, non-Swiffer brands aren’t as effective as the real lab-tested deal, which means you won’t get as much use out of them and may spend more money in the long run.

(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn)

5. Don’t throw away dirty pads too soon

Used Swiffer Sweeper pads and Swiffer Dusters may be effective longer than you think. They may look super dirty, but due to the electrostatic charge, you don’t have to worry about making a bigger mess as you dust. Also, you can try removing the bigger dust bunnies from the Swiffer before you continue cleaning, so you get more use out of them.

6. Don’t dismay if you run out of pads

About to dust, but no Swiffer pad in sight? A fuzzy sock will do the trick, picking up dust, dirt, and hair from your floors. No socks of the fuzzy caliber? In a pinch, a hardy paper towel, old washcloth, or microfiber cloth could also work.

Don’t throw the dirty dusters away

To save a little money and keep things green, think twice before tossing your dirty Swiffer dusters. They can be washed and reused with a quick rinse under the faucet.