Reusbale "Swiffer" Dusters

Tired of buying those Swiffer Dusters?  Man, they're expensive!  A box of ten refills, which includes a new handle and some dusting spray, runs for $9.49 at Costco.  All you need for this project is some fleece fabric, which you can get on sale or clearance usually.  Probably a half yard would do, which might cost $3.  Thus, you'll SAVE about SEVEN DOLLARS after using your reusable dusters just ten times.

I put Swiffer in quotes because these aren't really by Swiffer now, they're made by you and me!  However, they do fit the Swiffer Duster handle, or you can make them to fit any other similar duster handle.  Also, I can't take credit for this idea; I saw it on Pinterest.  If you don't have access to a sewing machine or refuse to sew, you can purchase reusable Swiffer dusters from Mitsuyo Day's Etsy shop.  I also just noticed that she sells reusable sweeper covers which could be used for your Swiffer Sweeper or similar sweeper.

If you have a sewing machine though, you can make some reusable "Swiffer" dusters, like I did.  These could also be great as part of a housewarming gift or wedding shower present, along with some other household cleaning necessities like dish soap, detergent, glass cleaner, surface cleaner, dusting spray, and bathroom cleaner.

What you'll need:
21" x 9" piece of microfleece fabric for one three-layer duster or 14" x 9" for a two-layer duster
A Swiffer Duster handle
Your usual sewing needs: scissors, thread, measuring tape, marking pen or chalk (I prefer chalk)

From the edge of the fabric, measure in 2.5" and place your duster there.

Measure about 1/2" from the bottom of the fabric to the bottom of the center tab of the duster.  Make a horizontal mark at this spot.

Now, trace around the inner and outer edges of the duster--free hand or with a measuring tape is fine.

If you didn't cut a 9" high piece of fabric already: Move the duster out of the way and measure 2.5" up from the top of your trace marks.  Put a horizontal mark here.

Measure 2.5" from the side of your trace marks.  Put a vertical line here, then mark a dashed line along this spot.

Now, fold your fabric under your trace marks to the point where it meets your side trace marks and repeat (if you're layering your duster with three pieces of fabric).  When I did this the first time, I actually did four layers, which proved to be a little much for my machine.

Cut along the folded edges to make two (or three) pieces of the same size.

If you're making a three-layer duster, set aside one layer.  Leave two layers on top of each other, and pull the top layer down a half inch.

Continuing with the three-layer duster instructions: Turn over the two layers and pin the half inch of fabric you pulled down on to the back of the other layer. You may also want to create a half-inch seam on the third piece of fabric, but you don't have to.

If you're doing a two-layer duster, you may want to create a half-inch seam at the bottom anyways.  It will make the duster look nicer and maybe even last longer.  However, you will have to create SEPARATE seams on EACH piece of cloth, not layered on top of each other.

Sew the bottom seam (for each piece of fabric, if you choose), pulling the fabric as flat as you can while you sew. 

Now you should have two pieces of fabric ready to be sewn together; pin them together.  You may want to make sure your duster handle still matches the marks you made earlier on the fabric before you begin sewing.  Only sew the outer edges first.

Once you've sewn the outer edges, insert the duster completely in to the pocket you've created.  Pull the pocket back so you can see where the end of the center tab rests and mark it.  Now, sew down the middle up to the mark you just created.

Last, make cuts around the edges of the fabric in order to create the little "dusting fingers," and you can choose to round the corners at the top if you want to.  Here's the finished product:

For the most effective dusting, pull the top layers of the "dusting fingers" toward the center so that there are more exposed layers of the duster to reach those crevices and corners.


BEFORE YOU WASH, I suggest running a lint roller over the duster to pick off any large dust bunnies you picked up so those don't end up on your clothes or towels.  Otherwise, just throw in your duster with a regular load of laundry as often as you need to!