The Swiffer Trick Cleaning Experts Say Is Worth Trying

If you’ve ever gone to your cleaning supply closet in search of a Swiffer pad only to realize that you’ve run out of refills, you know how annoying it can be—especially if you’re trying to clean up a real mess. Next time that happens to you, we’ve got a Swiffer sock hack for you to try.

The idea behind the Swiffer sock hack is simple. Instead of using a Swiffer pad, stretch a sock around the base of the mop. Finally, a use for that pile of mismatched socks! That said, cleaning pros share that a sock is a good temporary substitute for a Swiffer pad, but won’t be effective long-term.

One way to ensure you rarely run out of Swiffer pads or other cleaning supplies is to buy the ones you like in bulk and put them in a designated spot (like a “Costco closet”). You can also set reminders for yourself or set up auto-replenish orders for supplies you go through quickly, like Swiffer pads.

But if you do run out of Swiffer pads, don’t worry. Below, experts explain how the Swiffer sock hack works and why you should try it next time you’re in a pinch. For more expert takes on social media cleaning trends, read our pieces on what pros think of this “lazy” shower cleaning hack that Reddit loves and the TikTok laundry hack pros say you should never try.

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,” said Carolyn Forté, the former 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.