How to remove the cap on a Swiffer Wet-Jet cleaner bottle.

In this, my first instructable, I'll show you how to remove that pesky cap on your swiffer wet-jet bottle that makes it impossible to refill and causes you to buy their overpriced solution. All you'll need is a pair of fingernail/toenail clippers and a pot of boiling watter (and the bottle of course).

Step 1: Removing The Cap

In a small pot, bring just enough water to cover the cap to a boil. Once you've brought it to a boil, place the bottle, cap first, into the water. After about a minute and a half, remove the bottle from the water, and give the cap a good, hard twist. It should pop right off as the boiling water will have softened the plastic cap.

Step 2: Making the Cap PERMANENTLY Removeable.

When you get the cap off, you'll see that it has a number of prongs which cause it to catch on the bottle. With a pair of finger nail clippers, remove these prongs. You could also use an exacto knife, or even a razor blade, but I had a pair of clippers sitting around when I thought about doing this.

Step 3: Refill the Bottle

Now you're ready to refill the bottle with your cleaner of choice. Vinegar and Water, Pine-sol, or anything else you may want to clean your floors with. Place the cap back on the bottle firmly and you're good to go.

Hope this saves you some cash in the long run.

Comments

[garyncarol]

just get a pair of channel lock pliers. I've been refilling for years that way.It twists right off. Forget the hot water.

[zuckerrr]

I just did that and after some trying got off the lid, clipped the inside pieces- but alas, when i refilled it and put it back on, no liquid came out.. Any idea why this could be? I'm trying to understand the mechanics of it, but im not even sure through which hole the liquid is supposed to go out..

[Lalena]

T his is great! Now I don't have to spend all my money on refills. Thanks for this instructables.

[zomfibame]

Haaaa! ... I wish I'd seen this instructable last week.... I was in the mood to clean my floors, but in in the mood to fight with that cap..... I just took my Dremmel-tool and cut a very small triangle shaped hole in the "bottom" of the bottle. when it is in the Swiffer upside-down the hole is on top. I poured some lemon scented ammonia and warm water in it. It works like a charm........ as long as you don't lean it back too far going under the coffee table while it's full to the top. Man I wish I'd seen this ibble before hacking a hole in that bottle.

[kbell8]

Not only can your Refill Your Swiffer Wet Jet, and also make Re-usable pads. Check out this tutorial: She sure did an amazing job at explaining everything as well with her photos.
http://doityourselfdivas.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-reusable-swiffer-wet-jet-pad.html

[Faquad]

Thank you very much. My wife just bought one of these yesterday, and the refill it came with was empty when I tried it out only moments ago.

I found the water doesn't need to BOIL, just be VERY hot. Then, rather than clipping the "teeth", I just cut that whole ring away with a sharp utility knife.

Now I can just mix water and a bit of cleaner. WHOO! looking at only pennies to refill now, rather than $5+ for the damn things!

[kbell8]

You can also make reusable pads for it


http://doityourselfdivas.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-reusable-swiffer-wet-jet-pad.html

[lurarose]

Thanks, now I can use the Swiffer Wet-Jet that my daughter left for me. I had tried many times to get that darn lid off but was unable to. Just hope I didn't throw the bottle away. Guess I will find out when I go to the basement to retrieve it.

Would also like to be able to make re-useable pads for it. I will keep looking on this site. Thank again

[kbell8]

Yes you can your Refill Your Swiffer Wet Jet, and also make disposable pads. Check out this tutorial: She sure did an amazing job at explaining everything as well with her photos.
http://doityourselfdivas.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-reusable-swiffer-wet-jet-pad.html

[ciyona]

http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-swiffer-cloths/

This is where you can learn to make cloths to fit your swiffer if you don't have it by now. Hope it helps.

[kbell8]

Yes you can your Refill Your Swiffer Wet Jet, and also make disposable pads. Check out this tutorial: She sure did an amazing job at explaining everything as well with her photos.
http://doityourselfdivas.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-reusable-swiffer-wet-jet-pad.html

[goodlookin]

Thanks, thanks, thanks!! Been trying to get that thing off for ever! I just held mine under running hot water for about a minute and then used a rubber "twist off lid gripper" and it came right off. And for some reason the little flippers on the inside of mine were much smaller than those shown and I didn't have to remove any!

[ricegirl]

sooo Awesome! Thank you so much! Worked like a charm in only a few seconds :)

[sally137]

Awesome! You absolutely ROCK!

[Techieehippiee]

Awesome! thanks

[tmontague simmons]

worked great! thanks!

[ClevelandWhiteout]

Thank you! This is a great money saving and waste saving tip. And super quick and easy too!

[jessyratfink]

Thanks very much! I just ran out tonight while cleaning and this was just what I needed. :D

[Marshal Banana]

Instructables 1
Swiffer 0

[mclovin823]

Excellent tip! Just tried it, and it totally works. Submerged for exactly 90 seconds in almost boiling hot water, and pop! Comes right off! The nail clippers were perfect, as you only need to trim off the majority of the plastic pieces on the inside of the cap...doesn't have to be perfectly flush by a long shot. Thanks for the awesome hack!

[greenclean216]

You are a super genius. This worked and I used the nail clippers (so do not worry if you do not have a special file). I have a cleaning business and my clients are going to flip. Also, instead of buying the pads on this or the green Swiffer, simply attach a microfiber or other looped cloth to the velcro or poke it into the holes. Just make sure the the front edge aligns with the cloth edge on the Wet Jet so that it does not block the spray jets. I like to wet it and wring it out first. On the green Swiffer, I just saturate the cloth with whatever cleaning solution I am using and then rinse and wring as I go. THANK YOU!!!!!

[ramos96]

this worked awesomely, just like the others I removed the little plastic nubs with a dremel and sanding tool.

[Cocco]

Thanx for the tip. I tried removing the top with pressure pliers, but was afraid I would break the top off. I'll give it a try later on this week. I hate those prongs!

[greeneyedJill]

Super cool! I did it and it works yeah!

[lynette80012]

Thanks, that worked like a charm. I'm passing this on to my friends.

[rdoobie]

Yay! Thanks for the money saving tip!

[kessa1111]

I never would have even thought to try something like this before I read this instructable.  Very nice, thank you!

I used the hot tap water for about 1/2 a minute, twisted it off with my hand and a towel, whipped out the dremmel sanding bit and zip zip, had it done in less than 3 minutes!

Thanks again!

[butterbattle]

used hot water from tap, a gentle grip with a pair of channel locks, and a file to remove the nubs which are supposed to prevent unscrewing.  worked like a charm. thanks all

[jcurtiswood]

I refill my swiffer mop all the time with much less work by doing this:

1. Get a pair of channel-lock pliers.
2. Adjust the pliers to the width of the bottle cap so that you won't crush it when you apply pressure.
3. Twist off the cap.
4. Fill the bottle with floor cleaner.
5. Replace the cap.

The cap will screw back on without a problem and you won't need the pliers to remove it the next time.

[frankenp]

 Sweet! Thank you.

[escape_artist]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou. This beats a turkey baster!

[Nikki213]

Wow, thanks! I have tried to do this in the past, but could not figure out how to take the hard-headed cap off!

[littleangelfire]

I have wondered for a couple years now how to get the stupid cap off. THANKS!

[wombat7]

just ran the hot water for a bit and then unscrewed it using the bottom of my t-shirt for grip. thanks for the tip!

p.s
plastic polutes the ocean. i pickted this "swiffer wetjet" out of the garbage so it does not end up in the North Pacific subtropical gyre.

Plastics in our Oceans

[Ram2645]

Brilliant! Worked like a charm. Thanks so much.

[spinningjennie]

Thanks! Works like a charm.

[vrk]

Nice job,thanks for sharing.

[dandichka]

What do you fill it with?

[cpd_trigger]

You could fill it with anything really. All purpose cleaner, Pine-Sol, etc. I use Basic H (it's a Shaklee product that's environmentally safe).

[A2thaB]

Thanks for the hack! I've been doing it the stupid way by injecting cleaner in with a needle. i tried your method and it sure made cleaning much easier and cheaper!