The New Standard

The ads for Swiffer are right—you’ll never go back to your old mop and broom after trying the WetJet. Cleaning floors now can take less than half the time and the result will be a floor that is cleaner than if a regular mop (any kind—sponge or the antediluvian swab-the-deck version ) were used for the chore.

The idea for the Swiffer WetJet, which came on the market in 2001, emanated from studies that found that people who cleaned were looking for something that would eliminate the strain and fatigue of floor cleaning, rated as one of the most tiring tasks. So the Swiffer WetJet was born, reducing a lot of the drudgery and inefficiency associated with floor cleaning. It’s more efficient because there’s no scrubbing on your hands and knees or carrying buckets from room to room. With one less thing –a heavy bucket filled with cleaning solution and water--to drag around the house, cleaning the floor is a bit less tiring.

In 2005 P & G’s Swiffer WetJet underwent some upgrades including reconfiguring the pump and nozzle to reach a wider distance and streamlining the spray pattern. A triple layer core was implemented to the WetJet pads to trap and lock away all the dirt leaving behind virtually no residue. That’s also about the time the color was changed to purple. And now there are several formulas, including the new Wood Care line, complete with WetJet Wood Floor solution that dissolves dirt and is quick drying so there are virtually no streaks or hazing. They are also about to launch a new and improved Swiffer WetJet Antibacterial cleaning solution that kills 99.9% of bacteria.

Here are a couple of suggestions, though. How about using a refillable container to hold and dispense the cleaning product liquid? It seems like a bit of a waste to have to buy a new container when a concentrated refill should do just as well.

The cleaning pads are easily attached to the WetJet by Velcro strips and for the most part work very well. After a period of time, however, sometimes the Velcro strips can start to become separated from the machine and so partially come off when you remove the dirty pad. Crazy Glue works to reattach the Velcro but this might be an area for some improvement. It is true that Swiffer is constantly enhancing its products based on consumer feedback and insight and they are genuinely interested in consumer comments.

Again, these are just a few suggestions. The Swiffer WetJet as a whole is a superb and truly innovative product. It is lightweight, cleans more thoroughly and is easier to use than a mop and a bucket and is now pretty much the benchmark for how to clean a floor.

You never will go back.