Swiffer Wetjet mops are great for cleaning  kitchens and other non-carpeted floors. They use bottles of cleaning solutions that come in different scents.  The solutions are really good for cutting grease and spills.  You just press a button on the wetjet and the cleaning solution squirts out on the floor and you mop it up with the attached pad.

The problem is, once a bottle of cleaner is empty, the top appears to be sealed. So you can't unscrew it and refill it. Why? Because they want to suck you into buying more of their bottles of expensive, cleaning solutions at $7 to $9 a bottle.  

However, there is a way to release the cap on an empty bottle, refill it, recap it and use it again.  I have a little twist to the way I do it.  I also share a homemade cleaning solutions you can make and two you can buy.

How to Get the Cap Off of  an Empty Swiffer WetJet Bottle

You need:  

• Empty Swiffer WetJet Cleaning Solution Bottle
• Large mug filled with water
• A hand towel
• An Adjustable Jar Opener (Optional. Helpful if you have a weak grip)

Directions

1. Heat a large mug of water in the microwave until the water boils.
2. Using an oven mitt, put the mug of water on a counter or table.
3. Turn the empty Swiffer cleaning bottle over and put the top with the cap into the hot water in the mug.  Hold it there for approximately 3 minutes.
4. Take the bottle out of the water and using a dish towel, twist the cap open.  It will usually click and then unscrew.
5. If it doesn't, put the top of the bottle into the hot water again for 2 minutes.
6. Take the bottle out of the water.  Use an adjustable jar opener to open the cap. As you unscrew it, it will click and unscrew
7. Rinse the bottle out.  Fill it with the cleaning solution of your choice. Put the cap back on and screw it as tight as you can get it.  Put it back on your Swiffer WetJet.  I've never had one leak.

Replacement Cleaning Solutions for Your Swiffer

Commercial Floor Cleaners

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps are wonderful, organic, castile soaps that you can use in your bath or shower. You can also use them as a refill for your Swiffer WetJet.  Peppermint and Lavender work really well.  

1. Put one cup of the soap into a pitcher.  
2. Add 2 cups of water to the soap in the pitcher. 
3. Carefully pour the mixture into your wetjet bottle.  
4. Top off with more water and recap the bottle. Gently turn the bottle back and forth to mix the soap and water. 
5. Put the  wetjet bottle back on your Swiffer.

Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner is a favorite of a lot of people. You can get it at Walmart and other discount stores for ridiculously low prices. They come in a variety of scents.  The steps are the same as for the Dr Bronner Soap:

1. Put one cup of the Fabuloso liquid into a pitcher.  
2. Add 2 cups of water to the soap in the pitcher. 
3. Carefully pour the mixture into your wetjet bottle.  
4. Top off with more water and recap the bottle. Gently turn the bottle back and forth to mix the soap and water. 
5. Put the  wetjet bottle back on your Swiffer.

Homemade Floor Cleaner

This is the cleaning solution I use in my home. I usually use lavender or lemon essential oil. Some people like to use tea Tree oil which kills bacteria and fungus. It's a very easy, cost-effective cleaning solution.

Ingredients

• 1/2 water
• 1/2 white distilled vinegar
• 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I like lavender or lemon) 

Directions

1. Fill the empty Swiffer bottle 1/2 full with water.
2. Add white distilled vinegar to the water, almost to the top of the bottle.
3. Add the essential oil of your choice.
4. Recap the bottle and gently shake it to mix the ingredients.
5. Put the  wetjet bottle back on your Swiffer.

Photo: Pixabay.com

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