Hello Moms!
I have a very large yellow lab that is very loving but he sheds a lot, especially now with the heat. We currently use the swifter sweeper dry clothes for the floor. I'm getting sick of spending $4 every couple of weeks and was wondering if there was something else out their that I could use to pick up the dog hair? I don't mind if its something that I have to throw in the washing machine either; something better for the pocket book and for the environment.
Thanks for your input!
If you're talkin about a wood or tile floor, you could just tie an old T-shirt around a broom. A vacuum is all I can think of for rugs. I had a yellow lab for 14 years. They're worth the shedding!
I vacuum the kitchen floor to get up the hair- if your vacuum is good on hardwoods or tiles might want to try that. The hose can at least get all the hard to reach places.
I haven't tried one, but I know there are several out there with washable heads that slide over a flat part, so that might work.
I have two shorthair dogs, so we dont have the dog hair issue quite as bad as you do.... we use Bona Hardwood floor cleaner. Sold at HD and some other stores. Microfiber cloth can be washed, you will eventually have to buy spray cleaner. Or mix your own homemade non toxic spray. I also use a steam cleaner on my tile, uses no chemicals.
Floor Cleaner and Polish:
vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.
wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.
We found a great "mop/sweeper" at Lowes-it is a micro-fiber head and yes it removes off the handle and can be washed in the machine/or by hand if you really want to take that time. Now I use it all the time and even use it with my wood floors with wood floor cleaner for daily use-it has saved my time and makes my floors look wonderful and picks up all the hairs from not only the dog but the cats too!!!!! Just ask them for any of the styles with the microfibers and you may want to purchase a new handle for it also-as it will be used daily with a smile.
We have a black lab and to keep her cooler in the summer we have her shaved. Not her head or tail just the body. It also helps on the amount of hair we have to sweep up. Just a suggestion.
You could also check Etsy for something hand made and reusable.
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=swiff...
I bought a great little Bissell floor vac at Kohls for about $20 (on sale and with coupon), and it picks up dog hair and crumbs great. When the floor needs to be wiped and not just vaccumed, I put an old kitchen towel on my Swiffer, spray a little vinegar and water solution on the floor, and wipe it with the "towel on a stick"!
Try some of the great cleaning tools on http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop.asp
FlyLady's Rubba Sweepa
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_rubba_sweepa.asp
A rubber broom that sweeps up pet hair from floors and carpets, as well as dust, food, wet messes, you name it. Washes easily.
$9.99 currently sold out but they'll probably have more in stock soon.
FlyLady's Rubba Scrubba
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_rubba_scrubba.asp
I have several of these around the house and one in the car. It picks up anything and everything - great for pet hair, cheerios in the car, and just today, I used it to clean out my vacuum's filter bag.
The FlyLady Mop
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_mop.asp
A sweeper with removable microfiber pads - $21.95
Refills (3 pads) - all washable - $9.95
Having a long haired persian cat, I've found these better than anything else I've tried. Good luck!
I just use our old t-shirts for rags, cut them into different sizes for everything from dish clothes to car washing rags, and toss them when they've gotten too gross to launder. I very rarely even buy paper towels anymore and do all of my cleaning with rags or cheap wash cloths. We don't have dogs but have small kids, so I have to at least damp-mop the kitchen floor after every meal and snack. I would imagine a damp rag would collect everything pretty efficiently. I've never used a swiffer or anything else with a stick to clean with (except maybe to try it once and hate it) so I'm not sure what might work for that particular cleaning tool.
