The following is a user submitted tip from Sandra Hogan. We thought it was useful enough to save people some time, so we are sharing it below. We love to spread the word about new tips that reduce effort and eliminate frustration, so if you have your own, please submit it to us [1] to share with others.
Cleaning Tip:
When you don’t have a dust pan, use a paper towel by wetting only one end with water and sweep dirt over wet end then use dry part of towel to wipe up.
Our Take
So, if you are without a dustpan, or the one you are using is giving you trouble, replace it, or improve it, with a simple paper towel. If we understand it correctly, the wet side will cling to the floor and allow you to push all of the dirt up and onto the paper towel. Once up there, you can sort of fold it over, and grab it to lift up, and throw it all into the trash.
This technique would quickly solve the problem of a missing tool, but it may also become your preferred method because it’s so fast and easy. You don’t have to search, and you don’t have to worry about pushing everything into a pan to eliminate it because instead of a fat edge, you will have a paper-thin ramp.
Not only would this work as a replacement for a dustpan, it would also work to improve an existing one by adding a ramp. When you drape it over the front end of a metal or plastic pan, the paper will make up for thick edges that cause problems with fine particles. Once the towel is in place, the front edge will basically be flush with the floor, so it will even outperform products with rubber edges.
The super thin entry ramp will allow you to sweep everything into the pan, instead of pushing it across the floor without picking it up. By using this technique, light dust and minute particles will not slip underneath, or brush up to the edge without going in. Once the pan is full, flip the wet edge back, and proceed to empty into the garbage.
It’s not exactly the most eco-friendly way to move swept dirt from the floor to the trash, but it is effective. If you’re trying to go green, you may not like the whole disposable aspect of this tip, but as far as universal replacements go, it is hard to beat. If you’re at the point of annoyance, or if you just can’t find what you need, try this tip to finish the job and move onto something better. Almost everyone will have this item on hand, so it’s a quick, go-to solution that can allow you to finish cleaning your floor without running out to the store.
How To Do It
- Begin by sweeping your floor. A good rubber broom can make it easy.
- Use a systematic sweeping motion, and collect everything into one or more piles.
- Once your piles are set, get a paper towel and get the front third damp.
- Lay the towel down next to your pile so that the wet edge is just barely touching.
- Once in place, use your broom to push the dirt over the wet part, and onto the the dry potion.
- After your pile is transferred to the paper towel, use your hand to wad it up and lift it off the floor.
- Dispose in trash can.
- To enhance an existing dustpan, simply place the dampened towel into the pan with the wet edge hanging out the front.
- Align next to your pile in the same way, and the wet ramp will make it easier to get everything in with one try.
Other Home Remedies
If you don’t have a dustpan on hand and need to clean up a small mess, you could use a paper towel like the tip above suggests, but you can also use several other household items as makeshift dustpans. For anyone that doesn’t have paper towels, or for those that would prefer to avoid using them for this job, here are a few other home remedy options:
- Paper or Cardboard: Fold a piece of paper or cardboard in half to create a makeshift dustpan. It won’t be as sturdy as a regular one, but it can help you scoop up debris in a pinch.
- Plastic Lid or Container: An empty plastic container, like a yogurt or margarine lid, can work as a makeshift dustpan. Simply bend it slightly to create a scoop shape.
- Plastic Bag: Lay a plastic grocery bag flat on the floor and use it as a temporary dustpan. Hold the handles and gather the open end to create a scoop.
- Newspaper: Roll up a newspaper tightly, twist one end to form a handle, and then shape the other end into a scoop. This works well for lightweight debris.
- Card or Thick Paper: If you have an old greeting card, an index card, or a piece of heavy paper, you can bend it into a scoop shape to collect dust and debris.
- Broom: If you have a broom with a long handle, you can turn it upside down and use the bristles to sweep debris into a pile. Then, carefully use the broom’s edge as a makeshift dustpan.
- Your Hands (with Gloves): For very small messes, you can use your hands, preferably with disposable gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out to protect your skin. Scoop up the debris and dispose of it.
- Tin Foil: Fold a sheet of aluminum foil into a scoop shape. While not the most durable option, it can work for light cleaning.
Remember that these makeshift dustpans are temporary solutions and may not be as effective or long-lasting as one that you buy at the store. They are suitable for quick cleanups but not for heavy-duty cleaning tasks, or long-term use. Once you have the opportunity, it’s probably a good idea to invest in a proper dustpan for more efficient and convenient cleaning.
How To Make a Homemade Dustpan
Making a homemade dustpan is a simple DIY project that requires minimal materials. Here’s a basic guide on how to do it:
Materials Needed:
- Cardboard: You’ll need a sturdy piece of cardboard. You can use an old cardboard box or buy a sheet of thicker cardboard from a craft store.
- Ruler or Straight Edge: This will help you measure and cut straight lines.
- Scissors or Utility Knife: To cut the cardboard.
- Pencil: For marking measurements on the cardboard.
Steps by Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Cardboard:
- Lay out your piece of cardboard on a flat surface.
- Decide on the size of your dustpan. Typically, they are pretty rectangular in shape with a wide opening for sweeping up debris.
- You can make it as large or as small as you like, but a common size is around 12-18 inches in width.
- Measure and Mark:
- Use a ruler or straight edge to measure and mark the desired width of your dustpan. Draw a straight line across the cardboard at this measurement.
- Decide how deep you want the dustpan to be. This determines how much you can scoop up.
- Mark a second line perpendicular to the first, extending from the top edge of the cardboard down to your desired depth. The deeper you make it, the more debris it can hold.
- Cut Out the Dustpan Shape:
- Using scissors or a utility knife, carefully cut along the marked lines to create the perfect shape. Be sure to cut along both the width and depth lines you marked.
- Shape the Handle:
- To create a handle for your pan, cut a diagonal line from the top corners of the cardboard down to the bottom edge of the dustpan. This creates a triangular-shaped handle.
- Smooth the Edges:
- Use scissors or sandpaper to smooth and round off the edges of the dustpan and the handle to make them safer and more comfortable to use.
- Test it Out:
- Before using your homemade dustpan, test it out by sweeping some small debris into it. Make sure it’s working effectively and that the handle is comfortable to hold.
- Decorate or Reinforce:
- You can choose to decorate your cardboard dustpan with paint, markers, or stickers if you like. This step is entirely optional.
- To make your dustpan more durable, you can reinforce it with duct tape along the edges and the handle.
Your homemade dustpan is now ready for use. While it may not be as sturdy or long-lasting as a store-bought version, it can serve as a quick and temporary solution for cleaning up small messes around your home. Remember to recycle the cardboard when it wears out or if you decide to replace it with a more permanent solution.
Have your own cleaning tip? We would love to hear about it, and share it with everyone else. If you have other cleaning suggestions or handy tricks that you consider good, please submit them to us [1] and help others save time and money too.