Thursday, January 30, 2014

A New Pad For My Shark - A Tutorial

Yes- It's true.
I know you didn't expect it but 
I HAVE A SHARK.
 When I said NEW PAD did you think of 
something like this?
Well, I hate to disappoint you but I am talking about
THIS KIND OF SHARK
A Shark steam mop
By the way,
This is NOT a paid advertisement for them.
I have had my Shark for about 5 or 6 years
and it is still going strong,
although someone that shall remain nameless,
but not picture-less
was trying to "help" and
pushed the mop SIDEWAYS...helllooooo.
and now my handle has some tape on it.

I have lots of hardwood floors and 
this really cleans great.
BUT
the pads are pretty bad.
Yeah- so bad I don't want to show them to you.
New they look like this.
Let's just say my own are no longer white!
SO
I decided to make my own using old towels that I 
no longer want to use personally.
First I made a pattern-tracing around the head 
of the cleaner
I added about 1/2" 
when I cut out the pattern.
I cut out three layers of terry
from an old towel.  
I saved the end pieces that were hemmed.
Then I zig-zagged the edges of the three pieces together.
I then took the end pieces of the towel and 
cut two strips to go across the "top" of the head
putting one on each end I then
 stitched them in place using a zig-zag stitch..
Then I turned them right side out 
I then put them on
the head to "fit" them.
That way they will stay in place as you are
moving the mop back and forth.
See the pins?
I put velcro under each pin and 
also on the piece below it 
(stitching them in place)
Here is how it looks on the bottom.
Is it pretty?
Nope!  But it sure is functional AND cheap
and it took less than 15 minutes from
start to finish!

Steam cleaned floors are REALLY clean-
Just like I like them!
Oh- yeah- there is one more kind of shark, too.
A LOAN SHARK.
You will want to avoid him at all costs!
your photo name

53 comments:

Tete said...

You crazy woman. I thought you bought a dolphin! I like the idea of making your own stuff. My mop takes pads, but I use bar towels...so you don't use and throw away, just wash again.

Rick Watson said...

You are too funny Nana. I love work arounds. You new pad sounds better than the old store bought ones.

Gail said...

I have a shark too and I LOVE mine as well! My pads probably looks just like your old ones...LOL! I never thought to make my own pads....thanks for sharing how you made new ones. Enjoy your day, Gail

Lori said...

What cleaner do you use on your hardwoods? The last one I bought left them with a whitish film.

Kathy said...

Diana, I love reading your blog because you always bring me a smile. Loan shark indeed! I don't have a shark (any of the three kinds), but I have a robot that Joe bought me for the kitchen floor. Unfortunately it uses only the wet throw away pads. Don't know how I would make the kind you did. But I love that you can just wash them and save money.

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

I had something similar to the Shark at our old house but it finally gave out. Since the floors of this house will be redone, I just used the old mop. I will get a Shark for the new flooring, though! I have heard nothing but great things about it. Thanks for your "testimony"! Oh, I do love the Swiffer. I don't buy their expensive pads. I use microfiber towels then toss in the wash. You can even mop with it.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That's a great idea, Diana! I don't have a Shark but I do have a steamer like it. We use it all the time on our wood {and tile} floors. You are right about the pads, especially since I believe you can't use hot water or bleach on them to wash them, so they always look dirty now. I just cleared out a bunch of towels from our linen closet and I think I may have to do this so we have some extras.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Great way to recycle Diana:) I love my shark steam mop!

Ron said...

I love the shark steam mop. Your talents are endless.....

Vee said...

Great idea! I have a steam cleaner and I love the way it cleans; however, it is lifting my old floor in places. It is old very so I try not to get too upset.

Paulette said...

I love my steam cleaner. What a great idea.

Pam Kessler said...

You did not! That is a fabulous idea!!! Plus you're being all "green". Thanks for the idea!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You are so smart my friend! I think I need one of these for my tile kitchen floors! What a great way to clean. But I wonder....why did you have HIM cleaning? heehee!

Sylvia said...

You got me at first, thought you had one of those fish that you hang on the wall and when you pressed the button it would sing! :LOL
You are one smart and thrifty Lady!

camp and cottage living said...

You are definitely a smartie pants!!
I need to get a shark..

Anonymous said...

Those pads are expensive and your idea works great and is economical.

Susie said...

Diana, You know those Swiffer pads..I use paper towels on it sometimes. I like your idea , making your own pads. I have been thinking of purchasing a "shark" myself. Your shiny floor has convinced me. Hope all is well and you are having sunshine. xoxo,Susie

Patty Patterson said...

My husband uses a shark like that. I use the Sonic Duo. It scrubs - but doesn't steam. And Walmart now carries the pads here. They'd be more expensive than making them, though.

Anonymous said...

Smarty, smarty your pants are on fire or is it Lier. lier.


Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhps. Wrong song.

Not you Nan. Your the Best's of the Best.

Hugs

Unknown said...

I think I'm going to need a loan shark to finish all these renovations lol -
Great idea you had Lady Di !!!
XOXO

20 North Ora said...

Diana - I made some of these for my granddaughter's Shark. I used the microfiber towels you can buy at Dollar Tree. They are thick and I only had to use one layer. Give them a try. After I made hers, I noticed at the auto supply store, they had big packages of them at a pretty inexpensive price. (Don't ask me what I was doing at the auto supply store) You never have enough of those covers. Tiff's house is all wood floors so she really goes thru them.

Stay warm and cozy.

Judy

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

WOW, you are so talented. I need to get a Shark Steamer. Just got a Shark Vacuum and I love it - it works great. So now I'm on the hunt for a steam Shark.
Have a great weekend.
Mary

Simply LKJ said...

Genius! I love our Shark steam mop.

Nellie said...

Excellent work, Diana! We don't have one of those appliances here. I let the central vac system attachment do its work.:-) Your talents never cease to amaze me! xo Nellie

Curtains in My Tree said...

how funny
My daughter has one I guess thats why her floors are cleaner than mine. course she uses hers every other day and me well I mop once a month if needed or not LOL

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I wasn't sure where you were going with the shark thing! Lol! I don't think I'd put it past you to actually buy a real shark! :) You sure are smart to make your own pads. Your floors are beautiful by the way!

cards4ubylouise and other treasures said...

Oh, I have a little shark too....dust buster which we got for Christmas. Been thinking of getting one of those steamers....that will be next on my list. Otherwise I don't do much with my floors except dust mop....suppose they could use a little steam heat to clean. Guess I am a "lazy" house keeper.

My Garden Diaries said...

Brilliant!!! That is a fantastic idea friend!! And yes I totally thought you got a shark!!! Ha! Well once I figure out my sewing machine I will be able to make these!!! Happy days!!! Nicole

LV said...

These do work very well. I do not have hardwood floors, (wish I did ) but my daughter-in-lay does.

Stephanie said...

Oh Diana, you are the cutest and quite clever :) I will have to remember this for my floor cleaner when the pad gets too nasty to use. Have a lovely afternoon!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diana, what a great idea to make a new pad. I got my Shark steam cleaner last spring and love it. I am going to remember this when new pads are needed. What a great post. You always bring a smile with your creativity.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs

farmhouse-story said...

my son just got me a shark, and i love it! thanks for sharing the tutorial, diana.

Gypsy Heart said...

Quite clever my friend! I have hardwoods here but someone told me the steam cleaning would damage them. Now I have no idea! I do have to buy a new vacuum and a good friend recommended a Shark ~ she loves hers! You're welcome to come down here and try yours on my floors. :)

xo
Pat

lynn said...

First of all you make me laugh almost daily.
Second I have a shark and would never buy anything but.
And third I would never go near a loan shark. They are bad boys.

Savannah Granny said...

I knew exactly what you were talking about. I have one just like yours. I am not sharing pictures of my pads either. I use the stained ones for the first once over and follow up with the clean looking. I know, I probably don't have to go back over. Maybe that's why I never get finished with anything.
I might try you tutorial next time I need new pads. Making those was quicker than going to Walmart!
xoxoGinger

RURAL said...

Oh Nandi, Diandi...you are so clever. I have something similar, not a shark, but it's going to need new pads one day too...hello old towels.

And I bet they are easier to get on and off then the commercial ones.

Jen

White Lace and Promises said...

I've heard these are great! I used someone's dyson steamer and it was awesome. I have hard wood floors and need it sooo much. Thanks for sharing.

Ivy and Elephants said...

What a cute post, Diana. You are so clever to make your own pads. Thanks for telling us about a great product that you love.
We can't always believe the ads.
Hugs,
Patti

Cranberry Morning said...

You frugal lady, you! And yes, I most definitely need a SHARK! It's next on my list, thanks to you.
And BTW, if your friend needs encouragement after her hip replacement, put her in touch with me. ♥

This N That said...

You are so funny..It would take me that long to set up my sewing machine...I have a Shark as well..Just bought some new pads..I was told not to use steam on my hardwood floors..It dries a lot faster than the cleaner they want you to use..Gonna do it anyway..My floors are engineered hardwood and glued because they're on a slab..They have about 6 coats of polyurethane on them..Can't hurt??? Hope not..

Donna-s Lair said...

I'm getting me a shark! Didn't know you could use it on hardwood floors!! As soon as the ice melts....dun dun dun dunnn

Donna-s Lair said...

On eBay a lady sells rags....sanitary rags. No kidding....made out of printed cotton. You and that lady could open an etsy shop ;-)

Babs said...

You are so funny! Glad to know you like the Shark steam mop. I've thought about getting one, but never knew anyone who had one to ask if they liked it.We have a lot of hard wood floors, too.and this would be just the thing. Great idea to make your own pad. You're so smart and frugal.

Kim said...

I may need to get a shark, my floors are always in need of a good cleaning, especially this winter. The rock salt has been brutal on my wood floors. I really hope it comes with the pads though, I just don't think I could handle anymore sewing jobs!! You do give the absolute best tutorials though! :)

Mindy said...

Buahahahahaha. Too funny. And if you lived closer, I'd TOTALLY be knockin' on your door to borrow that damn shark. My hardwood floors get mopped once a year whether they need it or not. LOL

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I think we're all going to be running out at the first opportunity to buy a shark! Great job on the homemade pad!

Junkchiccottage said...

Ha Ha Diana I have that same shark cleaner. You need to sew me up some of those new pads! I have been using the one that came with mine.
Love that shark.
Kris

Lucille said...

Brilliant! It must have taken a long time to do that! I am not a seamstress. I can do stuff but I am no expert.

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

When I saw your first picture of the shark, it reminded me of a cocktail table I had back in the 80's that was a fish tank and I had some small shark fish. It laid on top of a shag rug and one day the shark decided to jump out of the tank and work it's way under the rug and die. Took a while to figure out what happened and yes, it was kinda gross. But enough about me, let's talk about steam mops. I'm gonna get me one. And when I do I'm stealing your idea.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful idea!! Good work done by you.Happy weekend!!

Maureen Wyatt said...

That's clever!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love this my friend, I usually do my pods like this, but not sewing them, so this is fabulous! You cracked me up with the shark at first, lol!
I'm under the weather with an ugly cold for a week, which I have acquired it after 15 years at least, without getting any!!!!!!
Hugs,
FABBY

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Very clever. I like my floors clean, too. Wanna come do mine? :)