The Swiffer WetJet is an expensive mop. It is great for grease and oil. The Swiffer claims to dissolve dirt on contact. Is this really possible? Does it work equally well on all kinds of floors?

If you have read my article entitled, "Swiffer WetJet: Product Review, How Much Is It And What Exactly Am I Getting?" you will have a bit of background information on the Swiffer WetJet (sometimes spelled Swiffer Wet Jet). Once you have priced it, it is time to see if it is a worthwhile mop. There have been many mixed reviews on the Swiffer. The biggest complaint is that it is expensive. Most people will say that aside from the cost, it does the job pretty well with a few exceptions.

There are all kinds of floors you can get. Not all of them should be cleaned the same way. Some floors are more difficulty than others to clean. The commercial makes the Swiffer look like it works effortlessly on most floors and for all kinds of messes. This is not entirely true.

If you have perfectly flat floors, you will probably have good results from the Swiffer WetJet. However, if you have any ledges on your floors, good luck. Often bathroom and kitchen tiles are textured. Many varieties of linoleum flooring are textured. The Swiffer WetJet will not do a good job on a textured floor. If you use a Swiffer cleaning pad on textured tiles, there is a good chance that the cleaning pad will get ripped up. If you have tiled floors, the Swiffer will push the dirt into the grout (the area in between your tiles). Usually the grout area of your floor is slightly lower than your tiles. This makes for a good dirt catch!

The Swiffer WetJet is not an abrasive cleaner so if you have really tough spots that require scrubbing action, the Swiffer will not do the job. It does not come with any scouring head unlike a lot of other mops. For example, on very caked on stuff like mud or gum, you probably won't have luck with the Swiffer. You will need to do a spot clean after. However, on grease and oil, the Swiffer will do the job. The manufacturer claims that the Swiffer will remove grease and dirt on contact. This is deceiving. There is no product that will truly remove dirt on contact! There is a button on the Swiffer WetJet that you press to make the cleaning solution spray out. This is only power-activated by your own power! You can work hard at the tougher areas but you will probably need a different cleaning device or product for spot cleaning.

The manufacturer of the Swiffer claims that the pole is strong and durable. It isn't. It is made from a combination of plastic and aluminum. If you have tough dirt and grime caked onto your floor, you will be exerting more energy to lift the dirt up. When you exert more energy, this also means that you are putting more stress on the pole.

There are no specific problems with the cleaning pads. They work well. However, you should only expect to get one use out of your cleaning pad. The manufacturer states that one cleaning pad will only do 2 rooms or 323 square feet. This is not a good deal. Besides, many people are finding that they have to replace their cleaning pads before they clean 323 square feet. The back and forth motion doesn't work evenly on the Swiffer. Often there will be one half of the cleaning pad that remains clean while the other part is dirty.

Regardless of whether or not the product works, once you buy the Swiffer WetJet starter kit, you will be hooked on getting the cleaning pads and cleaning solution too. These propriety products are how the company makes their money. Even though it looks like an effective and easy-to-use mop, it isn't worth the money. However, if you don't mind spending the money and are committed to buying the replacement cleaning pads and cleaning solution, it is handy for quick spills in between serious mopping sessions.

Besides, if you suffer from back pain, the Swiffer WetJet may not be such a bad idea. It doesn't require lugging around a bucket of soapy water. The Swiffer WetJet is lightweight. It also doesn't require bending down to replace the cleaning pads. You can throw a cleaning pad on the floor and it will stick. Even though they make it sound like it is effortless, this is not true. They tell you that it is a power-mop, but you are the power! You are the one pushing the mop around. The button only sprays out cleaning solution. It will save your back but not completely. You will still be using physical energy to clean your floors.