Guide | May 30, 2024

In the pursuit of a spotless and germ-free home, the battle between wet hard floor cleaners and a traditional a mop and bucket continues.

Technological advancements have brought about innovative solutions to age-old problems, transforming the way we approach floor cleaning. In this article, we explore the merits and drawbacks of both methods, aiming to guide you towards the most effective and efficient choice for your cleaning needs.

For generations, the trusty mop and bucket have been the go-to tools for cleaning hard floors. This method is simple, cost-effective, and requires minimal upfront investment. While mopping can be effective, it has its limitations.

A common and traditional approach, the mop and bucket method comes with its fair share of drawbacks.

One of the primary issues is cross-contamination. As the mop is repeatedly dipped into the dirty water in the bucket, it can spread germs and contaminants across the floor rather than removing them.

The mopping process is also labour-intensive. Wringing out the mop, carrying a heavy bucket of water, and scrubbing stubborn stains and grime can be physically demanding – leading not only to fatigue, but also inconsistent cleaning.

Additionally, traditional methods may not extract and remove all the moisture from the floor surface. Excess water left behind may take a while to dry and this prolonged exposure of the floor to moisture can cause damage and warping over time, especially in wood or laminate flooring.

Considering these limitations, many modern wet cleaning technologies have emerged as more efficient alternatives to address these drawbacks.

Enter the wet hard floor cleaner – a modern machine designed to simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide an efficient and hygienic solution. These motorised machines use either suction power or wet roller technology to ensure that dirt, grime, and liquids are effectively lifted from the floor and separated into a container.

Designed to clean hard floor surfaces such as tile, laminate, vinyl, and hardwood floors, wet hard floor cleaners tackle tough stains and sticky residues that may be challenging to remove with traditional cleaning methods.

The Dyson WashG1™, our first dedicated wet cleaner, is designed to clean hard floors properly. It’s the powerful way to remove dirt, spills, and even tough stains.

The machine washes tiles, vinyl, laminate and sealed wooden floors in your hall, kitchen, bathroom, and dining area.

Wet hard floor cleaners significantly reduce cleaning time by removing dry and wet dirt in one go. The Dyson WashG1™ covers up to 290sqm with a single tank of water, with up to 35 minutes of cordless run time. It uses two highly-absorbent microfibre rollers to simultaneously lift spills, debris, hair, and dried-on stains. This time efficiency is especially valuable in busy households.

Wet hard floor cleaners are equipped with a water reservoir and sometimes a cleaning solution compartment, allowing you to dispense a controlled amount of water onto the floor surface. The Dyson WashG1™ comes with three cleaning modes that let you set the hydration level to suit the task. So you can tackle anything from light spills to sticky liquids and dried-on stains.

Wet hard floor cleaners are equipped with a water reservoir and sometimes a cleaning solution compartment, allowing you to dispense a controlled amount of water onto the floor surface. The Dyson WashG1™ comes with three cleaning modes that let you set the hydration level to suit the task. So you can tackle anything from light spills to sticky liquids and dried-on stains.

The machines are manoeuvrable and easy to use, providing a convenient solution for keeping hard floors clean and well-maintained. The Dyson WashG1™ effortlessly glides forwards and backwards, reaching low under furniture and into awkward spaces. An LCD screen also lets you monitor and control your cleaning. 

Washing your hard floors used to involve the water getting dirtier and dirtier every time you put the mop back into the bucket. But with wet hard floor cleaners, clean and dirty water are kept apart in separate tanks.  

The Dyson WashG1™ uses a unique system to automatically separate debris from dirty liquid. Waste liquid is pumped into the Dirty water tank and dirt and debris collects in a quick-release, removable tray. 26 hydration points ensure water is evenly applied across the rollers, so clean water is added to your floors from start to finish.

Wet hard floor cleaners are suitable for a variety of floor types. The Dyson WashG1™ is engineered to clean tile, stone, sealed wood, ceramic, vinyl, linoleum and laminate floors.

Read more about the Dyson WashG1™ in our article Nine reasons to wash your hard floors with the Dyson WashG1™ wet cleaner.

While the traditional mop and bucket method has stood the test of time, newer hard floor cleaning technologies offer a compelling alternative.

The efficiency, hygienic benefits, and time-saving features make wet floor cleaners an attractive choice for those seeking a modern approach to floor cleaning. The choice ultimately depends on individual preferences, budget constraints, and your specific cleaning needs.

As technology continues to advance, the debate between these two methods will likely persist, but one thing is clear: the future of floor cleaning is evolving, and we have more choice than ever before.