[Treasuremapper]

I tried all of the suggestions about getting the lid off the swiffer wet jet, and they are not working for me. Basically, I tried pliers and soaking the lid in hot water. Am I missing anything? I have my giant Costco Heinz vinegar and orange essential oil ready to go. I'm also ready to order microfiber pads. But I can't get the darned lid off!!!!

Can anyone give me an idea about what I am doing wrong?

 

[frogguruami]

I just use a spray bottle and spray the cleaner on the floor. I don't bother with the bottle.

 

[Kleine Hexe]

I also want to know. I noticed little plastic tab things that hook on each other. Not sure how I can get past those.

 

[Treasuremapper]

I'm too lazy for the spray bottle, that's why I bought the Swiffer in the first place. I'm gonna return the darn thing if I can't fill it with vinegar and essential oil.

 

[StrawberryFields]

You can get a Clorox Ready Mop. Same concept as the swiffer but the bottle has a screw top so you can refill it and the cloths are held on with little grippers so you can substitute rags.

 

[Kleine Hexe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawberryFields You can get a Clorox Ready Mop. Same concept as the swiffer but the bottle has a screw top so you can refill it and the cloths are held on with little grippers so you can substitute rags.

I must look into getting one then.

Hey, Strawberry....one more month for me.

 

[joybird]

Oh it will come off! It isn't glued but has tab things that are holding the lid on. I got dp to unscrew it the first time. I soaked it in hot soapy water cause I thought there was glue on it. That might've helped soften the plastic enough to screw it off. Once it had been opened once I could do it by myself. Now I love the thing. I use snappis to hold on the cheap washcloths I bought (12 for $4) at Target.

 

[StrawberryFields]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe Hey, Strawberry....one more month for me.

 

[cuttiebearmom]

If you wind up returning the Swiffer you could try this one (http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/10-9049). I got it 3 years ago (as a present) and I have all hardwood and lots of mopping. I fill it with whatever I want, no issues ever. The mopping cloths wash and dry excellent. Haven't replaced any.

It's more expensive but much better made and worth the $$ if you are mopping a large area frequently!

Good luck!

 

[Ambre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuttiebearmom If you wind up returning the Swiffer you could try this one (http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/10-9049). I got it 3 years ago (as a present) and I have all hardwood and lots of mopping. I fill it with whatever I want, no issues ever. The mopping cloths wash and dry excellent. Haven't replaced any. It's more expensive but much better made and worth the $$ if you are mopping a large area frequently! Good luck!

That looks like a great product! It's kinda a combination of all ideas

 

[Kleine Hexe]

Link doesn't work for me. I've tried 3 times

 

[Ambre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe Link doesn't work for me. I've tried 3 times

It didn't work for me either, so I just looked under home & outdoor, then household, then cleaning tools. It's called the spray mop kit. HTH

 

[artemis33]

I've been wondering about this too!

That Gaiam one looks nice

I think this year for x-mas I'll just ask for gift certificates to there- so much nice stuff.

I think I might go with the Clorox one for now - can anyone give me an idea what they should cost (like the best price you've seen?).

I finally saw them at the local grocery store and it was 16.99 for the starter kit. I thought I'd check around a bit before I spent that!

 

[StrawberryFields]

Quote:

Originally Posted by artemis33 I've been wondering about this too! That Gaiam one looks nice I think this year for x-mas I'll just ask for gift certificates to there- so much nice stuff. I think I might go with the Clorox one for now - can anyone give me an idea what they should cost (like the best price you've seen?). I finally saw them at the local grocery store and it was 16.99 for the starter kit. I thought I'd check around a bit before I spent that!

I think that is around what I paid for mine, $15 or so. I'm pretty sure mine came from Walmart

:

 

[Treasuremapper]

I guess I will give it one more try. The Clorox is less expensive and works better for other fluids?? Dang. I can't find the receipt for the thing. I'm going to try to return it anyway.

Ok, here is an odd thought: what about when my supercrunchy friends come over and see me with a Clorox ready mop or a Swiffer wet jet. Won't they think I'm using caustic chemicals, whereas if they see a "gaiam" they would think I am supercool and environmentally sensitive?

I am imagining getting the icky chemicals out, filling it with vinegar from my 2 1/2 gallon bottles at Costco, and adding a bit of lemon essential oil. Doesn't that sound perfect?

Joybird, when your dp got the lid off, what tool did dp use?

 

[swimswamswum]

I hate the Swiffer. I bought it because we needed a new mop and the others were as expensive. I had heard friends rave about it and decided to try it. I didn't realize all of that crap you have to buy with it. I also didn't realize that you couldn't control what you washed with (I have major sensitivities to most cleaners and am also convinced that they're unhealthy and contain chemicals that mimic estrogen). My solution was to empty the nasty solution and drill a hole in the top of the bottle. We put an old salt shaker plug in it and make our own solution with vinegar, water, and EOs. DH or I will then pour the solution in using a funnel.

It's a bit of a PIA and honestly, had I not used it all ready, I would return it. We ended up buying a new traditional mop in addition to this and hardly use the blasted thing.

 

[cottontail]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treasuremapper Ok, here is an odd thought: what about when my supercrunchy friends come over and see me with a Clorox ready mop or a Swiffer wet jet. Won't they think I'm using caustic chemicals, whereas if they see a "gaiam" they would think I am supercool and environmentally sensitive?

You could decoupage over the Swiffer branding and your friends will still think you are supercool.

The Gaiam was quite expensive, as were some of their other overpriced offerings.

 

[Treasuremapper]

:

 

[Treasuremapper]

Just a followup: my husband easily pried the lid off in two seconds with a pair of pliers. I had struggled and struggled to remove it, so this may be a strength issue, I don't know.

I peeled off the swiffer labels and poured the contents down the sink.

Next, I wrote on the bottles with sharpie "Vinegar and Lemon EO" one one and "Vinegar and Orange EO" on the other. Now my crunchy friends won't think less of me when they come over.

Thank you for encouraging me to persist with the lid.

 

[lucyem]

OK after a bit of searching I found a company called LeifHeit that makes the mop that looks suspiciously like the one in Gaiam. But they sell it for less.
http://www.theconsumerlink.com/Leifh.../TCL+56587/106
Gaiam does have different colored cloths. Gaiam also sells the rotary sweeper by LeifHeit and you can see the brand name on their photo of that. Anyway I found other sites selling the same or different model of the mop and all for less money. Like ikitchen.com. They all have the rotary sweeper too and for less.

I love the idea of the mop and will check into it myself.