I am a mum and have tried the new Dyson mop. It is magical but is a £40 purchase any good?
WHEN it came to cleaning the floor in my kitchen, I always had only one choice.
Should I use a traditional wire mop or a more luxurious sponge in combination with my bucket?
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Even though they were both relatively inexpensive, it took a LOT of water and muscle to get the sticky stains off my vinyl tiles.
And by the time I was done, my mop head was left wet, taking forever to dry and a breeding ground for bacteria.
With more and more people living in hard floors, there’s a new kind of electric mop to do the cleaning. And Dyson is entering the market.
Yesterday, the WashG1 was launched here, a handy wet cleaning device that promises to remove dry dirt, suck up spills and rinse away stains and grime.
It costs £599, but unlike other electric mops and floor steamers it can tackle dry debris like food crumbs and hair, separating them from the wet stuff for disposal.
There is also a self-cleaning cycle that flushes the appliance after use to prevent dirt and odor build-up.
As a mother of two with hardwood, tile, and vinyl floors, I tested the Dyson WashG1, along with five cheaper alternatives, and rated them from 1 to 5 to see if I could throw my cheap mop and bucket out the door for good.
Dyson WashG1, £599
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Like all Dyson products, the WashG1 looks a lot better, with a sleek, ergonomic design and electronic menu display.
Since it is a cordless vacuum cleaner, you need to charge it first. It comes with a handy stand so you don’t have to put the microfiber cloth on the floor.
It is sturdy and a bit heavy, but it takes little effort to push it along. It glides almost independently over the floor and gets close to skirting boards.
I love that you can see the dirty water flowing into the bottom container, separated from the clean water above, so you can dispose of the water hygienically and without any problems.
But even better is its ability to suck up not only spills, but also dirt like cereal – when set to one of three hydration levels – collecting the debris in a container.
This means you can throw it away without it clogging the sink.
The cleaning time is a whopping 38 minutes, with a digital countdown, plus a ‘max’ setting for stubborn stains and little wet residue left behind.
While it is undoubtedly the most efficient, the price is way too high for my budget, costing almost TWENTY times more than the cheapest option I tried. I have to deduct a point for that.
JUDGEMENT: 4/5
Floating Mop, £29.99
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THIS simple floating mop is a bargain and is very light indeed. It comes with three sets of different cloths: two microfibre options and scouring pads.
And the best part is: they are all machine washable.
Charging is fast, but there is no indicator to show when the battery is empty.
There is a foot button to activate the spinning pads. They are smooth and easy to use.
Unlike the Dyson, this one doesn’t have a water tank, meaning you have to spray the pads with water or your cleaning solution of choice. It’s a hassle, but less of a hassle than using a bucket.
And if something does spill, it’s surprisingly clean because the wipes are absorbent.
The advantage is that it is very flexible for cleaning under furniture and can be used sideways on skirting boards. Brilliant!
And what’s even better: for the price of the Dyson you can buy 19 – and still have some change left over!
JUDGEMENT: 4.5/4
Looper Electric Spray Mop, £77.99
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I am used to a Vileda sponge mop so this one is in a class of its own. It has two sets of microfiber cloths that are attached with velcro so you can wash them between uses.
It’s wireless but charges fast. The red light goes off when it’s done.
It comes with a stand to protect the pads and floor, which I really like.
It has hand controls that allow you to rotate the pads and spray water from the tank, and a light that allows you to see stains.
The bottle holds about 450ml but lasts a long time and you can add floor cleaner if you want. Tricky to loosen but easy to fill.
The Looper is lightweight and easy to maneuver, but it does stop quite often when it hits obstacles. It needs a lot of pressure on spots.
JUDGEMENT: 2.5/5
VAX Steam Fresh Total House Cleaner
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This steam cleaner is larger than the Aeno, but has a removable section for smaller manual jobs like cleaning shower heads or removing wrinkles from shirts.
There are no fewer than 14 accessories, from a concentration nozzle to a window nozzle, and you can also use it to freshen up carpets.
This one is not as easy to operate as some other devices. You have to learn more functions, such as whether to refill the steam tank and the water tank.
But the instructions are detailed and clear, and I really like the steam button on the handle and the foot-operated steam boost.
It also removes sticky stains excellently.
JUDGEMENT: 3.5/5
TurboClean floor cleaner, £79.99
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The TurboClean is heavier than other rotary mops, but is still easy to maneuver over the floor.
I like the battery indicator lights so you can check the battery level. Also the light on the front that shows stains is very bright.
The water tank in the mop head has a healthy 300ml capacity, but it is not removable. This means you need a jug to fill it and it is difficult to pour the water out.
The cleaning power is amazing, with two rotating microfiber cloths, a scouring pad and bristles that allow it to be used as a dry broom too.
A complete replacement set is included.
The water jet is powerful, has a long range and cleans efficiently without leaving too much moisture on the floor.
JUDGEMENT: 3.5/5
Aeno Steam Cleaner SM1, £149.99
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MY mom swears by her steam cleaner, so I was curious to see what all the fuss was about.
The Aeno is pricey, but it’s multifunctional, with seven attachments that let you steam everything from greasy hobs and grout to clothes and carpets.
Once you plug it in, it takes a few seconds for the device to heat up and start generating disinfectant steam. The water tank has a capacity of 380 ml.
It is feather-light to push and the thin mop head reaches under the narrowest openings.
But like me, you might find the plug cord a bit cumbersome. Even though it is long, the closest power outlet to my bathroom is quite a challenge.
The electronic control panel is also not as instinctive as a normal push button. The steam is great for removing stubborn stains and the microfiber cloth is large for wiping afterwards.
It also looked pretty clean after use, compared to the floating mops.
However, you can’t use it to clean up spills. You have to wipe it with a cloth first and then steam it to remove the residue.
JUDGEMENT: 3/5
Pronunciation
YES, the Dyson WashG1 is a magical tool. I hate mopping but this makes it easy. The spill function is a game changer.
You can get rid of the mess in seconds, without having to wring out the wet mop.
But, and it’s a big “but”, there’s the astronomical cost. You’d have to do a deep cleaning and have miles of hard floors to get your money’s worth.
But if the price ever drops again, I’ll be sold.
For now I would be happy with the High Street TV floating mop. It works – for a fraction of the cost.
