Can you use floor cleaner in a robot mop?

Quick answer: it depends on the robot maker. Read the manual first: some brands only allow their own cleaning solution, and using another may affect your warranty. If ordinary floor cleaner is allowed, choose a low-foam type, dilute it well and never pour it undiluted into the robot’s water tank.

Why are robot mops fussy about floor cleaner?

• Water tanks and drip outlets are tiny. Thick or foamy solutions can clog them and spread water unevenly.
• Mop pads spin constantly: foam makes them slippery and leaves streaks.
• Robots don’t rinse with clean water the way you might when mopping by hand, so strong solutions stay on the floor.
• Self-cleaning docks can trap residue and smells if the solution leaves a lot behind.

If the maker allows floor cleaner

1. Choose a low-foam cleaner that doesn’t need rinsing.
2. Dilute far more than for hand mopping. A few drops to half a capful per tank is usually enough, depending on tank size. Start low and increase only if needed.
3. Never pour floor cleaner straight into the tank.
4. Empty leftover water after each run; don’t leave solution in the tank for days.
5. Clean the tank, pads and dock regularly as the maker recommends.

Floors that need extra care

• Wooden floors: use a low-water setting. Overly wet pads let water seep between boards. See: How to clean wooden floors properly
• Natural stone: avoid strongly acidic or alkaline solutions.
• Rugs: remove or lift the mop pad before the robot crosses a rug.

SPY Floor Cleaner

SPY Floor Cleaner is a low-foam formula that cleans quickly with no need to rinse, for tiles, wooden floors and granite. For hand mopping, add 1–2 capfuls to a bucket of water. Five scents: Blossom Relax, Pink Relax, Green Relax, Cinnamon, Ginger & Lemongrass. Sizes: 3.6L can and 950ml bottle.

For robot mops, check whether your robot maker allows ordinary floor cleaner, then dilute much more than for hand mopping.

Read more: Why floors feel sticky after mopping, and how to dilute correctly