There’s no denying the appeal of the Swiffer WetJet. This compact, lightweight mop replacement promises to help you clean hard floors faster and with less effort—no dragging around a bucket of soap or wringing out gross mop heads. With the simple press of a button, you can spray solution onto your floors, scrub them down, and be done with it. Seems too good to be true, right? To see if the Swiffer WetJet Floor Spray Mop is really the game-changer it appears to be, I put it to the test over the course of several days, using it on a variety of hard floors to determine its strengths and weaknesses—here’s what I found.
Setup: Minimal
When you first see the box for the Swiffer WetJet, you might question whether there’s actually a mop in there—it really is compact! Rest assured the product and its accessories are all inside, but you do have to assemble the flat mop itself. To get my WetJet ready for duty, I needed to connect the various parts of the handle, which clicked into place easily. Next, I had to remove the battery compartment and insert the four AA batteries that come with the mop. From there, it’s just a matter of loading the included cleaning solution (simply pop into place) and sticking on one of the cleaning pads (it comes with two regular mopping pads, and three “Extra Power” pads).
Cleaning Performance: Some elbow grease needed
The floors in my apartment hadn’t been mopped, well, ever, so it’s safe to say they were a good place to test the Swiffer WetJet. The main living area has sealed hardwood throughout, and there were more than a few splotches and stains, many of which were from salty slush that got tracked in during the winter, marring the pretty finish. I was impressed at how well the Swiffer WetJet managed to trap dirt and scrub off those old stains, even just using the standard cleaning pad. Some of the tougher marks required a bit of pressure on the handle, but within a few strokes, the splotches were history. Plus, after giving the main area a once-over with the mop, I was shocked at how dirty the cleaning pad was—it turns out I need to mop more often. I also used it with one of the “Extra Power” pads to clean the laminate floors in my bathroom. I didn’t expect the different pad to make a big difference, but it did a good job scrubbing off stains without too much effort—always a plus! Want to make your tile or laminate floors really shine? Check out our top picks for the best tile floor cleaners.
Design and Comfort: Straightforward and easy to use
The Swiffer WetJet was definitely designed with ease-of-use in mind. Everything from attaching the cleaning pads to spraying the solution is straightforward. It takes no effort to maneuver the mop around obstacles, and if at any point you want more solution, just press and hold the button on the handle to activate the spray. The mop head has a hook-and-loop fastener-like finish that grabs onto the cleaning pads, so it’s simple to attach and remove them. I particularly liked the curved handle of the WetJet, as it makes it more comfortable to hold and steer around the floor—no awkwardly turning your arms to get into corners. It’s a small detail, but one that’s often overlooked with other mops. My only complaint is the materials that make up the WetJet feel somewhat flimsy in places. In particular, when I was loading the batteries, I noticed that the compartment is made of thin plastic—one wrong move and you could easily break it.
Included Accessories: Supplies won’t last long
Because this is a “starter kit,” it comes with a variety of supplies, including the aforementioned 500ml bottle of cleaning solution and pads (two regular and three “Extra Power”). At first, I didn’t realize that the cleaning solution was just a “trial” version—full-size jars are 1.25 liters, more than double the size of the container I got. That said, I put a significant dent in the cleaning solution that was included, so you’ll probably find yourself needing more within a few uses. What’s nice is that there is actually a variety of cleaning solutions to choose from, including a special option for hardwood floors and several fresh scents. It’s usually around $10 for two refills, which should last you significantly longer than the trial jar. Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best floor cleaners.
Ease of Cleaning: As easy as it gets
The great thing about the Swiffer WetJet is that it’s incredibly quick and easy to put away once you finish cleaning. Simply pull off the dirty pad—unfortunately, you do have to touch it, but I didn’t find it to be that bad—and throw it away. The cleaning solution can be stored right on the mop, so all that’s left to do is put the WetJet back into storage. Easy, right?
Price: Just right
Considering the inexpensive material of the WetJet and limited supplies in this kit, a price of around $20 seems pretty fair. If it were any more expensive, I would expect more cleaning pads and solution, but I’d definitely be willing to spend the $20 for this starter kit, and I don’t think you’ll regret the purchase.
Competition: Swiffer wins in terms of convenience
Swiffer Sweeper Wet: I’ve had a Swiffer Sweeper for as long as I can remember, and while its dry pads are unbeatable for picking up dust and hair, the wet pads leave something to be desired. They frequently run out of cleaning solution long before you finish mopping, and sometimes they even dry out in the pack. When comparing these two Swiffer products side-by-side, the WetJet is miles ahead of the Sweeper in terms of mopping performance. With the WetJet, you can apply as much or as little solution as you need, and it’s quicker and easier to attach and remove the cleaning pads. O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System: The O-Cedar Microfiber Spin Mop is another popular product I tested that more closely resembles a traditional mop and bucket. While the design is unique and effective, the product itself isn’t top-quality and will likely break with frequent use. Plus, it takes longer to clean up after using, making the Swiffer WetJet the winner once again when it comes to convenience. Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best flat mops. The Swiffer WetJet Floor Spray Mop doesn’t have too many negatives to speak of—it’s affordable, easy to use, convenient, and effective on most floors. Yes, you’ll have to stock up on Swiffer-brand cleaning pads and formula, but overall, this product is a great cleaning solution for anyone who’s sick of old-fashioned mops and buckets.
