- #CleanTok is full of hacks and creative solutions to cleaning-related dilemmas.
- Some users suggest using this household item to replace Swiffer pads when you run out.
- The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab weighs in on the trend.
Nothing disrupts my cleaning routine more than realizing I’ve run out of supplies. Whether I'm out of clean microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaner or wipes, I lose my groove — and when it's gone, the last thing I want to do is think of a creative solution to keep chugging along.
Luckily, TikTok — specifically #CleanTok — is full of genius ideas from people who have also run out of supplies in the middle of cleaning (but unlike me, are still capable of maintaining their motivation).
If you're an avid Swiffer user, you've probably ran out of refills unexpectedly at some point and had no time to replenish your stash. When this happens again, stretch an old sock around the base of the Swiffer — it'll act as a substitute pad for the time being. After you're done cleaning, just throw the sock in the wash. It's that simple!
Still, it's important to note that using socks shouldn't fully replace typical Swiffer refills. "Swiffer cloths — wet and dry — are designed to pick up and trap dirt. A sock will likely do that at first, but maybe not so much as it gets wet, saturated or covered in dust," says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Because of that, socks might not cover as large of an area as a Swiffer cloth or pad would, meaning you'll probably need to replace the sock more often than you normally would when working with refills.
But if you find yourself scrambling for Swiffer pads you don't have, reach for a sock instead — it may not be a permanent solution, but it'll save you some time and frustration in the moment.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
