Stop spending money and creating more trash with disposable dusters. Make your own reusable Swiffer duster cloth to use instead.
Swiffer Dusters are very convenient but they can create a lot of waste. You don’t have to stop using it though, you can make a reusable Swiffer duster cloth to use instead of the refills.
How to Make a Reusable Swiffer Duster Cloth
Supplies and Tools You Will Need
- Sewing Machine
- ¼ yard of flannel fabric
- Matching thread
- Fabric marking pen
- Sewing pins or clips
- Standard sewing scissors
- Pinking shears
- Cutting mat and ruler, measuring tape or ruler
Reusable Swiffer Duster Cloth
Skip the disposables and try this washable Swiffer-type dusting cloth. You can use it on its own for dusting as well.
Materials
- ¼ yard of flannel fabric
- Matching thread
- Fabric marking pen
- Sewing pins or clips
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Standard sewing scissors
- Pinking shears
- Cutting mat and ruler
Instructions
- Cut the following pieces from your fabric (2) 5” x 7”, (2) 4 ½” x 7”, (2) 4” x 7” and (2) 3 ½” x 7”
- With wrong sides facing, place the two 5” x 7” pieces together.
- Using a fabric marker and ruler, draw a line down the center.
- Draw a line that is ¾” on either side of the centerline. Pin in place and sew a straight stitch down each marked line. This will form the pockets your handle will slide into.
- Place your 5” x 7” piece on your work surface and the center one of the 4 ½” x 7” pieces on top. Center one of the 4” x 7” inch pieces on top of that. Finally, center one of the 3 ½”x 7” pieces on top of that. Flip and repeat with the remaining pieces, largest to smallest.
- Using your fabric marker, draw a line down the center of your stack. Pin in place and sew a straight stitch down through all the layers on the marked line.
- Using your fabric marker, draw a line that is ¾” on either side of the center stitch you just made. This is your guide that you don’t want to cut into on step 11.
- Using your fabric marker, mark at ½” increments across each side.
- You can feel there are two layers. Lift the “top” layer and you will see where you stitched your 3 lines in.
- Using your pinking shears, cut ½” slits on each side, just shy of the stitched lines on either side.
- Now you are going to do the same thing with the rest of the layers, being careful not to cut through the centerline you stitched.
- Insert the duster handle into the pockets you’ve created. Fluff the slits that you cut, and you are ready to use your reusable duster cloth.
Notes
To keep your fabric from fraying when you wash it, you will cut on the bias or on a 45-degree angle to the selvage edge. When using a cutting mat, you will already have bias lines marked for you to make this easier to follow!
Buy Reusable Swiffer Duster Cloths
If you can’t sew or just don’t want to take the time for this project you can buy already made reusable Swiffer duster cloths. There are many different options out there so you can find the best one for you. A great place to order them is Etsy.
Another great option is to buy a duster that comes with reusable cloths. Grove Collaborative carries two great options. One is from their own brand and can be used on a handle that works for other cleaning tools as well. They also carry one that is just a duster. You can purchase refills for both so you can have one clean at all times.
No matter what option you choose you will be reducing your waste and saving money.
Leave a Reply