I knew you could make your own reusable Swiffer pads, as I'd seen them on the 'net, but I hadn't gotten around to looking at patterns. Finally one day the hair got to me and I resurrected the Swiffer - and remembered the old flannelette nappies I'd been cutting up for reusing in something else. I grabbed out a swatch and whacked it on the Swiffer to try out - and Hey, Presto! A new, reusable Swiffer pad.
As you can see, it works just as effectively as the disposable ones - at least I think so anyway. Once again, I can Swiffer out the pet-hair bunnies from under the cupboards and fridge where I couldn't reach with a broom (and they breed under there, let me tell you!).
Making: The beginnings of Bircher muesli for tomorrow's breakfast.
Hummus and vegie sticks for afternoon tea.
In the Garden: Harvesting snow peas. Pulling out the cherry tomato that over-wintered in the vegie garden. Trying to decide if the broccoli seedlings I planted out the other day have succumbed to damping off (they have fallen over and look a bit ill). Discovering that something inside my greenhouse is eating my seedlings - argh!! It decimated my strawberry spinach and ground cherries, ate two of my squash seedlings completely and had started on the tatsoi. I couldn't find any snails, slugs or caterpillars, so it looks like the culprit made good it's escape :-( Let's hope it doesn't come back to eat the rest of them!
Dinner: Kanga bangas (kangaroo sausages) in hot dog buns with homemade coleslaw.
Contemplating: Which seeds to plant into seedlings trays over the weekend...
11 comments:
Very neat swiffer!
I just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying these simple days posts :)
Ditto Julie, I look forward to your simple days post each day.
I had a similar issue with chomped on seedlings last year. In the end I had to do a midnight raid with the torch to find a big fat snail that managed to hide under the seedling trays during the day, and gobble the seedlings up all night. I never did get those rockmelon seedlings in last year!
Gav
I cannot believe you talked about a swiffer today - I have been going back and forth about using mine. I didn't like the waste that the disposable cloths created and quite frankly I am tired of sweeping everyday. the swiffer is so much faster.
anyways, could you tell me more about the reusable cloths you are using. are they just swatches of flannel? thanks. that muesli looks good.
I am a huge lurker here...but I just want to say that your blog and your cooking and homemade things for your simple life are just so inspiring for me!!! I have so much to learn still and I am working on making more things from scratch. Thanks for all the info on your blog!!
My children are long past the diaper days. If I'm lucky though I might find some at the thrift store or yard sale to use this idea. You are so ingenious!
BTW, that wet tray thing with the marshmallows, that was a "duh!" on my part. I was so sure that it was some sort of item that I'd never heard of.
Hi Cat,
Thanks :-) I'm enjoying doing them!
Hi Gavin,
Thanks mate - I might have to get out the torch tonight too I think. It's depressing to spend all that time giving then TLC to find them gone in the morning isn't it?
Hi dmoms,
Wow, what a coincidence LOL. Yes, it's just a swatch of flannel. Mine is an old nappy (diaper) I cut up, but old flannel sheets would work just as well. I didn't think it would pick up the pet hair the way it does, so I was very pleasantly surprised. It is quicker than sweeping, isn't it?
Hi Beth,
Oh thank you! I often wonder who is reading my blog, so I really love it when lurkers leave a comment :-) I'm so glad you are getting a little use out of it, keep up the great work!
Hi Barbara,
You could also try old an flannelette sheet or a pillow case, I'm sure that would work the same way. It isn't as smooth to push across the floor as the original pads are, but it still picks up the dirt and hair, so I'm happy with it. Oh and about the 'wet tray', that is definitely something I would do, so I'm not laughing at you for it :-)
Cheers, Julie
I have been using a swiffer since they came out. Over the last year I have had trouble with the cost of the throw away pads also. I started cutting up my husbands old t-shirts or long johns and using those. I use mine for both sweeping and mopping. I keep a bag hanging on a door handle and when I mop I use a bucket of vinegar and water, I dunk a cloth in it put it on the swiffer and use that. When the cloth gets too dirty or too dry I throw it in the bag and put another one on, then I just throw the contents of the bag in a bucket of warm water and borax I keep soaking beside the wash machine. It works great.
sorry to be a pest - I just got some felt pads - so how do I go about cleaning them when they are covered in dog hair in order to reuse them?
Hi Cindi,
That's a great idea! Thanks for that :-)
Hi dmoms,
I have several pieces of flannel that I use in rotation; Once a week or so I pull the majority of the hair balls off by hand (only takes a second) and throw the hair in the compost bucket, then throw the flannel in the washing machine with the other cleaning rags and towels. To prolong uses you could try shaking some of the dust off outside when you are finished each time? Hope that helps :-)
Cheers, Julie
yep, that is exactly what I did and was planning to do! I only paid 20 cents a sheet for my flannel - that sure beats $10 for a box of disposable swifer sheets! again, thanks.
Hi dmoms,
Wow, you can't beat 20 cents :-) Well done!
Cheers, Julie
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