I wanted to begin my blog with something profound, but really it started with this. I could not for the life of me find how to refill my Swiffer solution to my satisfaction all in one place. Vinegar? Uh, no... dislike the smell/may be bad for my floors. Herculean efforts to remove the lid? Ok, let me resume my weight training program and try that in a few months. Power tools? Yeah, right! (Heavy on the sarcasm, in case you missed it.) I was frustrated. After hours (yes, and it was wee hours in the night when I should have been sleeping), I pieced together what I liked. I wanted something that smelled good, was relatively easy, cheap, and good for the environment (reusing the bottle and a greener cleaner). Why was that so difficult?! I just wanted to take off the lid and refill it, for crying out loud! So, without further ado, here is what I came up with: (and yes, I'm using dangling participles and I don't care LOL)1. Fill up a cup 3/4 of the way with the hottest water from your tap. (Must be tall enough to fit the lid part of the bottle.)
2. Heat the water up even more in your microwave for 2-3 minutes. *Watch out - it gets REALLY hot.* You'll probably need a hot pad to remove it unless you enjoy singed finger pads. You could boil water on the stove, but I think this is easier and the cup makes the bottle stay upright while soaking.
3. Pop the bottle out of your Swiffer mop.
4. Put it top (lid) down in the cup and let it sit for an hour or so.
--- Go take a break, feeling good about yourself that you are so incredibly clever, or search for more great ideas like I do.---
5. Take it out and twist off the lid. If you're lucky, it will come right off, but the first time is the hardest. You may need rubber gloves or a silicone hot pad to help with friction and protect your dainty, delicate hands from getting beat up from the lid.
* If it doesn't, you can soak it for longer - OR - smile sweetly and ask someone who has stronger wrists than you.
* If that doesn't work then - and ONLY then - do you whip out the heavy artillery (pliers) and pry it off.
6. Now to refill (drumroll, please!):
• Fill with water to the neck (where it starts to get narrow).
• Add 1/8 -1/4 C cleaner (liquid dish soap, Murphy's oil soap, all-purpose concentrate, etc.) I used Mrs. Meyer's geranium this time. Last time 18 YO DD picked the basil scent; she is my cheerful mopper, so she gets to choose. :)
* The key here is to use: what you have, what you like, and what's good for your floor.
- If you forget and add the cleaner first and then the water, just squeeze out the bubbles or wait for them to evaporate on their own and then fill up the rest of the bottle with water.
7. Now click it back into your mop and - VOILA - Swiff away!
* And now I can sleep easy. Zzzzzz....
