How to Make WetJet Multi-Surface Solution Refills for Pennies

If you own a Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop, chances are you absolutely love it. But let me guess: You’re not wild about those expensive refills—the bottles of cleaning solution and disposable cleaning pads. Read on for everything you need to know about making your own Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Solution Refill! Even if you don’t use a Swiffer, you’ll love these DIY recipes for cleaning wood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and tile floors, dispensing them from your spray bottle of choice.

Perhaps even more annoying than the high price of required consumables, WetJet Solution “refill” means throwing out the empty dispenser bottle entirely and the need to purchase the refill liquid in a new bottle. Know what I mean?

And just try to pry the lid off an empty bottle to refill it yourself. That thing is impossible to get off without destroying it; yes, I speak from experience. WetJet refill bottles can be north of $10 each. And the disposable pads? At least $.75 each—and that’s on a good (sale) day.

Well, you can forget all that bad news because I’ve discovered how to open that bottle—not with a wrench or vice grips—making it totally reusable (it won’t leak!), and how we can save money by making our own Swiffer floor cleaner solutions and reusable cleaning pads, too.

How to Open the Swiffer WetJet bottle

First, let’s open that empty Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Solution bottle to refill it.

1. Set a pan of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Leave the pan on the stove, but turn off the burner.
2. Carefully hold your empty Swiffer Wet Jet bottle upside down and dunk it into the water until the whole cap and a little bit of the bottle are submerged.
3. Hold it there for up to 90 seconds.
4. Using a hot pad holder, grip and twist the lid, and it will come right off.

The hot water softens the tiny plastic nubs that hold that lid on for dear life, just enough to let you twist it off without damage.

CAUTION: Don’t try to cut those nubs off to make it easier next time—that will make it leak like a sieve!

Using a funnel, pour your homemade refill solution of choice (below) into the bottle, re-apply the lid, and you’re good to go. Here is a quick video demonstration.

DIY Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner

• 1 part alcohol (isopropyl, denatured, plain vodka, gin)
• 4 parts distilled water
• Few drops of Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid

 

 

Pour all ingredients into a small bucket or container. Mix thoroughly and pour the mixture into your spray bottle of choice or into the recycled Swiffer WetJet container using a funnel.

Alcohol is a fantastic cleaning product—rubbing alcohol (70% is most common, but 91% works well, too), denatured alcohol, even gin, or plain vodka. Alcohol is also a disinfectant, as you know from visiting a doctor’s office or hospital.

The great thing about alcohol as a cleaning agent is that like water, it has a nearly neutral ph—neither acidic nor alkaline. And it helps to dry the floor quickly. This makes alcohol the perfect ingredient in your homemade cleaner to clean, protect, and preserve beautifully finished wood and laminate floors.

• MORE: How to Clean and Care for Hardwood and Laminate Floors

 

DIY Luxury Vinyl and Tile Floor Cleaner

• 4 cups hot water
• 3 tablespoons citric acid OR 1 cup lemon juice
• 3 cups white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid

Pour all ingredients into a bucket, bottle, or another container. Mix thoroughly and using a funnel, pour the mixture into your spray bottle of choice or the recycled Swiffer WetJet container. (If using the lemon juice option, avoid Meyer lemons or other varieties that have a high sugar content. The problem is that these types may leave behind a sticky residue. Citric acid is the preferred option)

NOTE: DO NOT use this solution on wood or laminate floors. The vinegar and citric acid are too harsh and will soften and dull the finish.

Swiffer WetJet Cleaning Pads

You can easily make your own reusable Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Solution cleaning pads.

Cut a microfiber cloth or bath towel into rectangles. Use the Swiffer mop head as a guide to gauge the correct size. Give it about 1 1/2 inches of overlap on the long sides so you can tuck the ends of the cloth into the Swiffer mop cloth holder.

Another idea? Use a fuzzy sock. Stretch it over the mop head as if it were a big foot. Works like a charm.

After using the cloth (or sock), just throw it in the washing machine with your other cleaning rags.

Photo credit: The Spruce

 

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