Swiffer is a well-known brand of disposable cleaning products owned by Procter & Gamble. Swiffer mops are some of their most popular products, using disposable pads to trap dirt, dust, and debris from floors. But with different types of Swiffer mops available, it can get confusing understanding the differences between each one.
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Types of Swiffer Mops
There are three main types of Swiffer mops currently available:
- Swiffer WetJet – This mop uses disposable pads that you attach to the head and spray with cleaning solution. The WetJet pads have absorbent fibers on one side to pick up dirt.
- Swiffer Sweeper – This is a dry mop with disposable cloths that use static electricity to attract dust and hair. The Sweeper cloths have textured fibers on both sides.
- Swiffer SteamBoost – This steam mop heats up tap water and blasts it onto the floor. It uses the same disposable WetJet pads.
Swiffer WetJet
The Swiffer WetJet is designed for wet mopping floors. Here are its key features:
- Uses disposable WetJet pads – These have a scrubbing strip on one side and absorbent fibers on the other.
- Pads attach to a plastic mop head with Velcro.
- Has a trigger sprayer to dispense cleaning solution onto the pads.
- Solution options include Wash & Shine, Wood Floor Cleaner, Pet Cleaner, etc.
- Has a 22-foot cord that connects to the sprayer.
- Available as a starter kit or as individual refills.
The WetJet is great for picking up spills, stuck-on dirt, and grime from hard floors. The spray loosens dirty while the pad scrubs and absorbs. The wet pads also help reduce streaks. Just throw away the pad when finished and attach a new one.
WetJet Pads
There are a few varieties of WetJet pads to choose from:
- All-Purpose Pads – For everyday cleaning on finished hard floors.
- Wood Floor Pads – Gentler pads for sealed hardwood.
- Scrubbing Pads – Have extra scrubbing strips for heavy dirt.
- Antibacterial Pads – Kill over 99% of bacteria when used with antibacterial solution.
The WetJet pads come in 8-count, 16-count, and 24-count packs. Prices range from $5-$12 per pack depending on the size.
WetJet Cleaning Solutions
Swiffer makes a variety of cleaning solutions designed for use in the WetJet. Options include:
- Wash & Shine – For everyday cleaning. Cleans dirt and adds shine.
- Wood Floor Cleaner – pH neutral formula safe for sealed wood.
- Antibacterial Cleaner – Kills over 99% of bacteria and viruses.
- Oxy Boost – Removes stuck-on dirt and stains.
- Pet Cleaner – Eliminates pet stains and odors.
The solutions come in either 16 oz or 28 oz bottles costing $3-$5. You can also buy multi-packs with solution and pads bundled together for convenience.
Swiffer Sweeper
The Swiffer Sweeper is a dry mop designed for quick dusting:
- Uses disposable, dry Sweeper cloths.
- Cloths have textured fibers and contain a static charge to attract dust.
- Handle telescopes to reach under furniture.
- Comes with a compatible duster accessory.
- Available as a starter kit or individual cloth refills.
This mop excels at collecting dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris from hard floors and carpets. The electrostatic cloths cling to particles and trap them within the fibers. And you can sweep mess right into the cloth without needing a dustpan.
Sweeper Cloths
The Sweeper uses dry, disposable cloths to clean. Cloth options include:
- All-Purpose Cloths – For most dry dusting tasks.
- Expert Clean Cloths – Have greater dirt-grabbing power.
- Febreze Cloths – Help eliminate odors while cleaning.
- Pet Hair Cloths – Designed to attract and trap pet hair.
These are sold in packs of 12, 24, and 36 cloths. Prices range from $4-$9 depending on the quantity.
Swiffer SteamBoost
The Swiffer SteamBoost uses steam power to clean hard floors:
- Heats up tap water and blasts steam onto floors.
- Uses the same WetJet cleaning pads.
- Steam helps loosen stuck-on messes.
- Has washable/reusable pads for extra scrubbing power.
- Creates a streak-free shine as you clean.
This steam mop requires no chemicals and kills over 99% of bacteria with just the power of steam. The high temperatures blast away dirt from cracks and crevices. It’s great for sanitizing sealed hard floors without harsh fumes.
SteamBoost Pads
The SteamBoost uses WetJet pads to absorb loosened dirt. Pad options include:
- All-Purpose Pads – For everyday cleaning.
- Scrubbing Pads – Have extra scrubbing power for heavy dirt.
- Reusable Pads – Can be machine washed and reused.
You attach the pads to velcro on the rectangular mop head. Pads easily rip away when one side gets dirty. The reusable scrubby pads give extra cleaning power for grout and grime.
Comparing Swiffer Mop Features
While all Swiffer mops use disposable pads, each is designed for different cleaning purposes. Here’s a comparison of the main features:
| Mop | Cleaning Method | Best For | Pad Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| WetJet | Wet mopping with cleaning solution | Cleaning stuck-on dirt and grime | All-purpose, wood floor, scrubbing, antibacterial |
| Sweeper | Dry dusting with electrostatic cloth | Quick dust and hair removal | All-purpose, Expert Clean, Febreze, Pet Hair |
| SteamBoost | Steam mopping | Sanitizing and loosening stuck-on messes | All-purpose, scrubbing, reusable |
Other Common Features:
- Telescoping handles extend to reach under furniture
- No batteries or power cords required
- Disposable, non-washable pads
- Lightweight mop heads
- Easy assembly right out of the box
Comparing Cleaning Performance
In terms of actual cleaning performance, the WetJet generally outperforms the other Swiffer models. Here’s a detailed comparison:
Surface Cleaning Ability
The WetJet with its wet pads does the best job of thoroughly cleaning dirt and grime from floor surfaces. The scrubbing strip lifts dirt while solution dissolves sticky messes. SteamBoost also cleans surfaces well with steam power but has less scrubbing ability.
The Sweeper performs decently for quick cleanups but doesn’t clean as deeply. The static cloths mainly attract loose dust and debris but may leave some stuck-on dirt behind.
Cleaning Tight Spaces
All three Swiffer models have slim mop heads that can reach into tight spaces. The WetJet head may have slight difficulty since it’s dampened with solution. The Sweeper and SteamBoost perform best for cleaning along edges and into corners.
Pet Hair Removal
The Sweeper probably works best for removing pet hair from floors. The electrostatic cloths attract hair and pull it up off surfaces. The SteamBoost can also grab pet hair fairly well with the scrubby reusable pads.
The WetJet doesn’t pick up hair as easily since the fibers get saturated with solution. You’ll need to change pads frequently when cleaning up lots of hair.
Odor Elimination
For odor elimination, the WetJet has the advantage when using its Pet Cleaner or Antibacterial solutions. These formulas help destroy odors at their source while mopping.
The SteamBoost can also reduce odors through the sanitizing power of steam. The Sweeper is not very effective at odor control.
Ease of Use
All three mops are fairly quick and easy to use, especially compared to traditional string mops:
- Lightweight mop heads glide easily over floors.
- Disposable pads mean no laundry or wringing out.
- Easy Velcro attachment for new pads.
- No power cords or batteries to worry about.
The WetJet has the extra step of dispensing solution before mopping. The Sweeper is simplest to use since there are no liquids involved.
In terms of maneuverability, the SteamBoost swivel head provides the best control around furniture and into corners. The Sweeper head is not very maneuverable.
Time Savings
All the Swiffer models provide time savings over traditional mopping:
- WetJet – Saves about 50% of time compared to string mops.
- Sweeper – Saves over 90% of dust mopping time.
- SteamBoost – Saves around 45% of time versus steam mopping.
So the Sweeper provides the greatest time savings for quick dust-ups. But the WetJet and SteamBoost still save lots of time over their conventional counterparts.
Cost Comparison
The ongoing cost of using Swiffer mops includes buying replacement pads and cleaning solution. Here’s how the models compare:
Starter Kit Costs
| Mop | Starter Kit Price |
|---|---|
| WetJet | $15-$25 |
| Sweeper | $15-$20 |
| SteamBoost | $90-$100 |
The SteamBoost costs the most upfront since it includes the mop unit with steam generator. The WetJet and Sweeper just have disposable mop heads.
Refill Costs
| Mop | Refill Price (12-16 pads) |
|---|---|
| WetJet Pads | $5-$12 |
| Sweeper Cloths | $4-$9 |
| SteamBoost Pads | $5-$12 |
The refill pads and cloths cost about the same for each system. The WetJet and SteamBoost pads are a bit more expensive than Sweeper cloths.
Solution Costs
The WetJet also requires purchasing cleaning solution, which adds to the ongoing costs. The solutions cost around $3-$5 per bottle.
The SteamBoost and Sweeper do not require any liquid cleaners or solutions.
Environmental Impact
Since all Swiffer products utilize disposable pads, they generate more waste compared to reusable mops and pads. However, some models have less waste than others:
- Sweeper uses least material since pads are just dry cloths.
- WetJet includes pad + up to 28 oz plastic solution bottle per refill.
- SteamBoost disposable pads + reusable pad option.
The WetJet generates the most plastic waste from all the single-use solution bottles. The SteamBoost has the advantage of reusable pad options to cut down on waste.
Refill Recycling
None of the Swiffer disposable refills are readily recyclable in standard municipal recycling. The materials used make them difficult to process at most recycling facilities.
However, Swiffer offers a recycling program where you can mail in used pads and bottles to be properly recycled. This helps cut down on waste ending up in landfills.
Conclusion
Here are some final recommendations based on the key differences between Swiffer models:
- Get the WetJet if you want thorough cleaning power for stuck-on dirt and grime.
- Choose the Sweeper for quick and easy dust removal throughout your home.
- Pick the SteamBoost for sanitizing sealed floors and eliminating odors.
- Buy a bundle with both WetJet and Sweeper to cover all your cleaning needs.
While the Sweeper is the most affordable option, the WetJet provides the deepest clean for heavily soiled floors. The SteamBoost gives a greener clean using only water. All the Swiffer models provide convenience over traditional mops with their disposable cloths and quick cleaning action.