Knitting Pattern for Reusable Swiffer Cover
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One of the handiest cleaning tools to come along in recent history (in my humble opinion) is the Swiffer, those rather ordinary looking floor sweepers that can make a quick clean up of a hard surface floor so much easier. Swiffers are made so that their disposable cloths can be wrapped around the mop for easy dusting – or – you can just make your own Swiffer cover!
This knitting pattern for a reusable Swiffer cover uses soft fuzzy yarn and I’ve found that these types of yarn do a very good job of picking up the dust and hair on the floor, just like the store-bought Swiffer covers. The bonus with the homemade Swiffer covers though is that you can wash them and use them over and over, saving you lots of money.
The availability of yarns will change as time goes along. My homemade Swiffer covers were knit with Bernat Pipsqueak yarn but other soft fuzzy size 5 bulky yarns will work too that are type usually sold to be used for knitting baby blankets.
How To Knit A Homemade Swiffer Cover
These knit Swiffer covers are a super quick and easy knitting pattern. I use my size 9 (US) knitting needles and cast on 22 stitches. Then you just knit every row (garter stitch) until your piece measures 10½” long and cast off loosely (so the end will have a little stretch). Yup, all you have to do it knit a simple rectangle!
Once you’ve cast off, you will need to do just a bit of sewing to complete your knitted Swiffer cover. You’ll fold each of the long sides toward the middle and then take a few stitches to sew together and close up the short ends.
These fuzzy yarns are pretty forgiving too when it comes to seaming your piece which is always a great bonus for any knitting project. Also there’s really no right side or wrong side to your finished piece, another very helpful benefit of this type of yarn.
Once that’s done you’ll sew the long sides together for 2″ on each end, leaving you with a 6″ opening in the middle which is where you’ll insert your Swiffer mop.
And now your reusable knitted Swiffer cover is complete! Just stretch each end over the Swiffer to put it onto your mop and start your dry sweeping. These knit Swiffer covers can be put through the washing machine and dryer too. I usually pick off any larger bits of dust or fuzz first before giving it a wash.
My gauge for this project is about 2½ stitches per inch. If you knit a little tighter or looser, simply cast on more or less stitches as needed to get a piece that’s about 8½” wide. The free printable pattern is below and I hope you’ll enjoy your knitted Swiffer covers as much as I’ve enjoyed mine!
More Free Knitting Patterns:
Knit Swiffer Covers
Equipment:
- Soft fuzzy yarn labeled size 5 bulky (I used Bernat Pipsqueak)
- US size 9 Knitting Needles
- Tapestry needle for sewing seams
Instructions:
- Cast on 22 stitches.
- Knit in garter stitch (knit every row) until piece measures 10½".
- Bind off VERY LOOSELY. Finished piece should be about 8½" x 10½".
- To create the Swiffer cover, fold the long edges towards the middle. Sew each of the ends of the piece together. Then sew the long edges together for about 2" toward the middle of each side. This should leave you with an opening of about 6" in the middle for inserting your Swiffer.
Notes:
Can these be used for wet swiffing? z love the idea and pattern
The homemade swiffer covers made with the fuzzy yarn work much better for dry swiffing. For a frugal solution for wet swiffing, I usually use an old washcloth with my homemade “no vinegar” floor cleaner.
should apply to dry & wet options.
I have made several of these and love them, making some for a friend of mine.
Thanks for the pattern.
I also crochet, make jewelry, and quilts and of course knit all kinds of things and even sell things I make.
Happy crafting every one.
Thank you! I appreciate this pattern.
Super!! 👩🦱
I can’t wait to try this! I have lots of this kind of yarn, so I can start now. I think it work well for cleaning ceiling fans also. Thank you for sharing.
The fuzzy sock works a bomb!! I think you are onto something with the fuzzy yarn being the secret. Now if I could only knit….
Yes if you can’t knit, the fuzzy socks are an easy peasy solution instead! 🙂
Hi can these covers be used to dry an already mopped floor?if yes will it dry the floor without leaving any streaks on the floor?
I don’t think these covers are thick enough to absorb enough water to do a good job of drying the floor. These covers are more about using soft fuzzy materials to attract fuzz and hair as you do dry dusting of the floor.
For the wet cloths I have cut some of the microfiber cloths to fit and simply zigzagged the cut edges on my sewing machine. They work just fine for mopping
Can you used any kind of wool.
Yes, you can use different kinds of yarn/wool for these covers, however I find that the softer fuzzier ones do the best job of grabbing the dust and hairs off the floor.
MERVEILLEUX QUEL ÉCONOMIE
Thank you Claudette (as your comment translated let me know “wonderful, what savings!” 🙂
Have you tried “Scrubbie” yarn ? It a scratchy element that may be what you’re looking for.
Thank you for this useful and great way to save money and help save the planet!
There’s another person named Barbara, with the Sugar and cream almost at the end of the post. Did you see her post? She has an Esty so you would be able to purchase them from her. God bless and I wish you both the bes
Beverly, is there a yarn that might be a bit coarse/scratchy so it could be used on the wet jet mop? I don’t think a regular yarn would work. The disposable pads have an abrasive area on them for light scrubbing on floors….i.e. spilled & dried juice/foods. Thanks for any info you might have.
Hmmm, that’s an interesting idea. Perhaps you could try one of the scrubby yarns that are available. Red Heart makes one called Scrubby, and also has one called Scrubby Sparkle. Hobby Lobby also has one called Scrubology. These types of yarns are designed for crafting homemade dishcloths, pot scrubbers, etc., so they do have some gentle abrasiveness.
Does the dog and cat hair come off easily?
I don’t have pets, but I’ve found that the bigger clumps of hairs and fuzz that are on it after sweeping can be picked off pretty easily, and then I throw it in the washing machine for the final cleaning.
It will not let me see the pattern when I click on printable patter
Sounds like a great idea. Will start knitting it tonight. Hope it turns out great. Thanks for all your information.
Can’t wait to try these. Thank you. Marlis
I made these for my father for Christmas and he absolutely loves them!! He asked me to make them for his larger swiffer too. Do you have a pattern for the larger size swiffer??
I currently do not, but I will get some info on those dimensions and see if I can adapt the pattern and let you know.
Wow thank you so Much
I do not knit but would love to buy them. Where can I get these ??
Maybe someday I will sell them, but for now I only have the free pattern available.
You could always set up on Etsy. To sell. I knit but good idea if you wanted to sell.
These are great!! I hate spending $$ on disposables!! I have a truck load of Sugar n Cream….why didn’t you like it? I have cat hair to pick up. ?
Do you have an Etsy store I can buy these from? I don’t knit butwould love them for our home.
I do have an Etsy store (West Window Studio) but currently am just selling a downloadable planner there. However I have thought about selling some knit goods there too so maybe someday I will have these swiffer covers available (thank you for asking) 🙂
Can these be used for Swiffer wetjet as well? Or just dry dusting? Great and easy pattern!
These are intended to just use for dry dusting. The soft fuzzy yarn works great for picking up dust and hairs, but I don’t think it would work well if it was wet.
I think the Sugar n Cream, or any cotton yarn, would work wet. I love cotton wash cloths. However, while wet they are quite stretchy. That quality is great for releasing crumbs and other particles when rinsing, but it might make the fitting seams challenging.
Thanks will try this pattern. Always lots of dog hair
At my house.
I think you’ll find that these covers will pick up the those dog hairs Alicia!
Ever had a really duh! moment? I have made swiffer covers out of fleece but never thought of knitting one. And I have a bundle of yarn ends left from community service knitting. Great timing for a perfect double winning idea. Thanks!
duh moment
Well I’m glad you have joined those of us who love to knit our swiffer covers! 🙂 I think you’ll find this to be a fun pattern that knits up quickly and yes, it can be a way to use up leftover yarns too.