This dollar store hack will save money on Swiffer pads

If you own a Swiffer or a similar type of mop, you know how it can make cleaning your house so much easier! But the cost of refill products can be super expensive.

How to make your own Swiffer pads

Read more: Putting the Dollar Tree cleaner ‘LA’s Totally Awesome’ to the test!

When we checked Walmart.com, a Swiffer Sweeper starter kit sold for about $12. It includes the Sweeper, plus dry and wet cloths. On the other hand, a Swiffer WetJet starter kit was priced around $24.

The problem is that the cleaning pads that come with the starter kits don’t last long, so you’re constantly having to buy replacements.

A 48-pack of Swiffer Sweeper dry pad refills is $11.47, almost as much as the starter kit.

Although you can find generic brands of these products, including at the dollar store, I recently learned on YouTube about a way to make reusable Swiffer pads for just a dollar!

After following these three steps, you may never have to buy those refills again.

Step 1: Head to your local dollar store and look for the Handy Shammy, which is the cheaper version of the ShamWow cloths you’ve seen advertised on TV.

I found the Handy Shammy in the auto parts section of my local Dollar Tree.

Step 2: Cut the Handy Shammy to the proper size. I used a leftover Swiffer dry cloth to help me measure. You may want to cut it a bit larger in case the cloth shrinks in the wash.

Also, don’t throw away the extra material! I use mine to spot clean the baseboards.

Step 3: Attach your DIY cloth to your Swiffer mop and get to work around the house!

I should mention that the YouTube video I saw (scroll down to watch) recommends this for the Swiffer WetJet, but I used it on a Swiffer Sweeper and had excellent results.

Look at how much dust, dirt and dog hair the cloth picked up:

One final tip: Instead of buying Swiffer Sweeper wet cloths, apply your own cleaning solution to the Handy Shammy or directly to the floor and mop away!

Read more: Do you clean your dishwasher every month? Here’s why you should and 3 steps to make it sparkle