The Dyson WashG1 is a cordless floor cleaner powered by a rechargeable battery. It features two microfiber rollers located underneath the unit, which are fed water from a 1-liter tank. Users can select from four settings—low, medium, high, or max—to control the amount of water dispensed onto the floor. This system ensures that clean water is always used for mopping, as dirty water is collected in a separate 800-milliliter tank, eliminating the need to reuse contaminated water.
Functionality and Maintenance
The Dyson WashG1 is equipped with internal brush bars that remove debris like crumbs, fluff, or sand from the rollers, depositing it into a debris tray. However, long hair can become tangled around these brush bars and will need to be manually cleared during regular maintenance.
Design and Usability
- Handle: The handle locks into the main body of the WashG1 and is not designed for removal except when repacking. It operates similarly to traditional upright vacuums and hard floor cleaners.
- Water Tanks: The WashG1 includes two clear tanks that snap into a collar on the main body. The 1-liter tank holds clean water, while the 800-milliliter tank collects the dirty water. This capacity is significantly larger than that of the Submarine attachment, which has a 300-milliliter capacity.
- Water and Detergents: Dyson recommends using only cold or lukewarm water. If desired, “gentle, low-foaming common household detergents” can be added—no more than one tablespoon per liter of water, and bleach is not recommended.
- Controls: The LCD display on the handle allows users to adjust the water output and view the battery life. It also provides access to the self-cleaning mode.
- Rollers: The WashG1’s large microfiber rollers span the full width of the cleaning head and counter-rotate during use. An internal brush bar helps clean the rollers of solid debris when removed.
- Battery: Dyson claims a runtime of up to 35 minutes on a full charge, though this can vary based on the selected power level. The LCD display tracks remaining runtime, which depletes faster on higher settings. The device continues to charge while in its dock, and an additional battery is available for $199, though this is a significant investment.
- Debris Tray: This tray, which collects solid waste, should be cleaned after each use to maintain optimal performance.
- Self-Clean Mode: Activated when the unit is docked with a full clean water tank, this mode runs for 140 seconds to wash the rollers.
- Noise: The WashG1 produces noticeable noise during operation, but testers found it less annoying compared to some other vacuums.
Ease of Use
Initial reactions to the WashG1’s weight were mixed, but once operational, users found it easy to maneuver across various hard floors. It glides smoothly over kitchen kickboards and around furniture but may struggle to reach under very low furniture due to its design.
While it performs well on hard floors, transporting it over stairs or across carpets requires careful handling to avoid spillage. The controls on the handle offer convenient adjustments, and the water output can be tailored to suit different cleaning needs. The lower setting is ideal for daily use and delicate surfaces, while the max mode is effective for tackling stubborn spots, though it reduces the tank’s water supply considerably.