I Tried the Viral Wet-Dry Vacuum and It’s a Game-Changer

With children and a dog in my home, I am resigned to the fact that my floors will be dirty, every single day of my life. That’s why I jumped at the chance to try the internet-famous Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Essentially, I saw Emily Henderson vacuuming soup (yes, soup!) with a Tineco, and I was sold.

The Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is a cordless wet-dry vacuum that works on hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum, and other hard surfaces. The reason the internet has become obsessed with it is simple: There’s no pre-clean required before mopping. The Tineco vacuums both wet and dry messes and mops the floor simultaneously, saving tons of time (and paper towels). 

This model self-propels forward, which is something to keep in mind, as running back and forth in the same area will require some work. It has a runtime of 35 minutes before it needs to be charged (which I’m content with — who wants to clean the floors for more than that anyway?)

To use this wet-dry vacuum, fill the clean water tank to the max line and add a capful of Tineco Deodorizing and Cleaning Solution (the first bottle is included with the vacuum purchase). Turn on the vacuum and roll it over the mess. Soiled water and debris are filtered into the dirty tank, and the floors are mopped with the cleaning solution. When the floor is clean, simply empty the dirty tank, return the Tineco to the charging base, and start the self-clean function. Yes, this vacuum even cleans itself. 

There are many reasons why I love this specific model, including the following:

• It’s indestructible. I cannot break this machine — it won’t let me. The automated voice assistant tells me when to fill the clean water tank, empty the dirty tank, unclog the debris channel, and activate the self-clean function. There’s no guesswork involved.
• It’s easy to use. I love how mindlessly I can use it. The Tineco automatically detects wet or dry messes and adjusts suction power and water flow. It is lightweight and cordless, but still powerful enough to do the job as promised. The floors even dry quickly, which is a huge plus for my dog who hates to be exiled from the kitchen. 
• My floors are cleaner than ever before. Clean water is stored separately, making the Tineco much more sanitary than a traditional mop. Best of all, my floors have never looked cleaner — they’re a different color than the floors that have yet to receive the Tineco treatment.
• It solves a problem I’d accepted as unavoidable. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where it rains half the year and muddy floors are pretty much a constant. Knowing I will never have to scoop mud from my floor on my hands and knees again is something I didn’t even know I could wish for.

With all the things I love about this vacuum, there are a few things that might be limiting to others that I still enjoy.

• The clean tank is compact. To clean mud off a small area of my kitchen floor I had to refill the small clean tank once to finish the job. In my experience, it beats filling a mop bucket any day. 
• You have to use their cleaning solution. The Tineco only works with Tineco Cleaning and Deodorizing Solution. It has a neutral scent, which I like. 
• You have to take it apart after each use. Yes, it self-cleans (and quickly!), but you still have to remove the tanks and the roller to let them air dry. The machine is incredible, but not magical. 

There are also the occasional clogs, but that’s expected with any cleaning device that sucks up large pieces of junk. The Tineco makes this as painless as possible, though, with its self-clean function. When the occasional clog happens, the parts are easy to rinse clear, and the whole process is much more pleasant than scooping soggy cereal with a paper towel or dealing with a soiled mop head. 

Yes, despite the compact tank, no substitute for the cleaning solution, or that you have to take it apart after each use, I still think the Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is worth it for the mess it’s able to handle in my busy home. You can purchase the vacuum on Amazon or on the Tineco website.

Buy: Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner, $399.99