Swiffer Alternatives: Microfiber Cloth vs Swiffer Duster (2024)

I love a good TV commercial.

You know, the ones that pull on your heartstrings. Like the Clydesdales that save the Labrador puppy from the wolf.

Or the disabled vet who is now able to clean his home because a HUGE box of Swiffer products was mysteriously left on his doorstep.

I don’t drink Budweiser, but I did try the Swiffer dusters and here are my discoveries:

• Swiffer's dust-trapping claims may just be marketing hype
• The importance of considering your financial and environmental impact of your cleaning choices
• The shocking price difference between microfiber dusters and swiffers in the long run

In the cleaning industry, people are constantly searching for that one duster that lives up to its marketing buzz. I understand some of you have been disappointed by Swiffer dusters and are seeking a practical cleaning choice that offers performance and value.

Together we'll compare my cleaning experience using Swiffer duster vs microfiber.

If you're here searching for a Swiffer alternative, I can confidently tell you microfiber dusters are the best. Continue reading and we'll recommend a few we know you'll love.

Do Swiffers actually clean? Swiffer is great at marketing but their dust collecting prowess and ease of use leaves something to be desired.

Their main claim is that their dusters trap and lock twice as much dust as a feather duster. Feather dusters do not trap and lock dust.

Like and old fashioned feather duster, I found that the Swiffer duster was actually just moving dust around, not trapping it.

Yes, the top of my book shelf was less dusty after using it, but the edge of the shelf had a line of dust that had just been pushed there. It didn’t appear that much got trapped within the duster itself. It was just resettling the dust elsewhere.

Next, I used the duster extender to get the blades of a ceiling fan. The dust and dirt was removed from the fan blades and much of it was relocated to the floor under the fan and the top of my head. Maybe I was using it incorrectly or the disposable pad (more on that later), was already too dirty.

I decided to switch out the used duster head with a new one, which wasn’t as simple as it would seem.

Removing it took some time and as I was trying to get it off of the handle, the minimal dust I just “captured” was not having any trouble escaping back to the freedom of my living room.

I was sure it would be easier with more practice. Trying to find the correct sleeves for the duster prongs was a bit of a challenge too. And then, you have to spend the time to fluff out the fibers on the pad—annoying.

The amount of time it took to switch out and fluff up the pad gave me some time to think.

The Swiffer duster kit, extender and a box of 16 refills cost just under $24. I had gone through 2 refills in my living/dining room alone. If I were to dust only this area once a week, my supplies would last for 2 months.

Refills cost about $11.50.

If I kept this up, I would spend $115 more this year, just in refills; just for the living room, and $139 just to dust.

And, aside from the plastic dust handles, all of those dusters would wind up in the landfill.

Let's look at some advantages of swiffer dusters:

• Disposable pads that can be used to clean contaminated surfaces once
• Has a duster extender that reaches high surfaces such as a ceiling fan
• Convenient for sweeping and relocating dust from floors

Here are a few cons of using swiffer dusters:

• It doesn't absorb dust, simply relocates it
• It has a complicated duster head changing process
• Refills are expensive
• Disposable pads contribute to landfill waste

"I will never buy another Swiffer. This microfiber duster keeps the dust from spreading around and holds onto it. I am also going to save a lot of money not having to purchase any more swiffer dusters." - Linda Seiple, Verified Buyer

I bought the Mini Duster and the Chenille High Duster. The mini duster is about the size of a regular Swiffer.

It actually did attract and capture dust. No more lines of dust on the edges of the shelves and I wasn’t just sweeping it onto the floor either. It stayed on the duster.

The same thing happened with the Chenille High Duster. The foam core handle was super flexible and there weren’t any dust bunnies in my hair when I was finished with the fan and hanging light fixtures. The Swiffer/microfiber comparison showed microfiber dusters to be the best Swiffer alternatives.

"These are so much better than Swiffer Dusters. I really like that they are reusable." - Amy Taylor, Verified Buyer

With the microfiber as an alternative to swiffer dusters, I didn’t have to stop midway through to switch the duster covers.

To recap, a microfiber duster has the following benefits:

• Attracts and locks dust particles: The tiny hair-like fibers carry a strong positive charge that attracts and holds onto the negatively charged dirt particles.
• Washable hundreds of times: Made from a blend of polyseter and polyamide (nylon) which are extremely durable and can withstand over 300 wash cycles.
• Environment-friendly: The fact that microfiber is reusable means theat less of them end up in landfills everyday, contributing to a more sustainable environment.
• Saves you money: Though the initial cost of microfiber may seem high, it's reusability hundreds of times without fraying saves you from constantly purchasing cloths.

Once I was finished cleaning, the sleeves were easy to pull off and toss into the laundry and I would be able to re-wash them hundreds of times, according to my brother, who is strangely passionate about microfiber.

Cleaning microfiber isn't complicated at all. Here are the steps to follow to clean your microfiber cloths using a washing machine:

• Load the washing machine ¾ full with microfiber cloth and other non-linting fabrics
• Add a small amount of detergent, just enough to remove the dirt and not dry out the fibers
• Set the washing machine to Normal Wash with warm water.
• After washing, transfer to the dryer and add dryer balls to remove stuck hair and fur.
• Air dry to maintain the maximum microfiber lifespan, Dry in the sun only when sanitizing.

You can also wash microfiber cloth manually using warm water and a small amount of detergent. Scrub with a soft bristled brush if extremely dirty, then rinse thoroughly, wring, and line dry.

Just bear in mind there are several guidelines to follow in order to maintain the integrity of microfiber:

• Use mild detergents without softeners or brighteners: Fabric softeners block the pores, preventing proper absorbtion of dirt, while optical brighteners fade the cloth.
• Air dry or dry at low heat: High heat slightly shrinks the microfibers, lowering their cleaning ability, so it's best to avoid it.
• Use dryer balls to remove hairs and lint: Microfiber picks up hair and fur well, and consequently holds on to them. Plastic dryer balls help knock them off.

• Don't soak in bleach: Microfiber is very sensitive to bleaches. It damages the fibers, which split and start shedding, leaving lint on surfaces.
• Dont keep dirty microfiber in airtight containers: They're a breeding ground for germs and the odor remains even after washing it.
• Don't wash microfiber with natural fabrics: Natural fibres such as cotton and wool shed fibres easily. If you mix microfiber with these other fabrics, it will attract lint then deposit it on surfaces while cleaning.

The retail for the mini duster, Chenille High Duster, and one extra cover for each is $30.37.

That’s all.

More than $100 less than keeping me in Swiffer refills for a year. And, if I truly dusted, then laundered once a week, that $30 investment would stretch out at least over two years, probably closer to four before I had to replace them.

Now, let's do a recap comparison of Swiffer dusters and microfiber dusters in the table below.