Dyson WashG1 Review: Real Tests, Pros, Cons & Alternatives

You’ve seen the ads: Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner, the WashG1, promises to scrub your hard floors using only water. After putting it through mud, dried sauce, and pet hair on tile, vinyl, and hardwood, we can say it’s genuinely effective on smooth surfaces—with a few important compromises. Here’s our full review, including streak tests, detergent options, and how it stacks up against the Submarine.

Price: $700 / €700 ·
Weight: 11.9 lb (5.4 kg) ·
Water tank capacity: Clean: 0.9 L / Dirty: 0.7 L ·
Battery runtime: 35 minutes ·
Roller material: Microfiber and nylon ·
Self-clean cycle: Yes

10 specs, one pattern: the WashG1 is built purely for wet cleaning, with no suction or vacuum capability.

Is the Dyson WashG1 any good?

Real-world performance on tile, vinyl, and hardwood

• Excellent on smooth floors: liquid messes like sauce, honey, milk cleaned in one pass without streaking (Top Ten Reviews)
• Good Housekeeping testers reported the WashG1 handled wet, dry, and sticky messes well on vinyl, ceramic tile, and hardwood (Good Housekeeping)
• However, chunky debris pickup is weaker than advertised; Homes to Love gave a 4/10 rating, citing this gap (Homes to Love)

The WashG1 uses two large microfiber rollers that spin at high speed to scrub dirt off the floor while a separate system draws water and debris into a dirty tank. On flat, even floors, the results are impressive. Galaxus testers found it “performs well on smooth floors, reaches under furniture, and is easy to clean” (Galaxus). But on uneven surfaces or with large chunks, the rollers can push debris rather than pick it up. The separate dry debris tray collects larger particles, but you’ll need to empty it manually.

Test results from Good Housekeeping and TechRadar

TechRadar praised the WashG1’s maneuverability and its ability to clean flat floors without streaks, noting the hot-air drying dock as a welcome improvement over earlier models (TechRadar). Good Housekeeping highlighted the intuitive LCD display and the ease of the self-clean cycle (Good Housekeeping). Both publications agree that the WashG1 is one of the best dedicated wet cleaners you can buy, but only if you accept its limitations.

Can I use detergent in the Dyson WashG1?

Compatible cleaning solutions

• Dyson recommends plain water or Dyson’s own floor cleaning solution only (Top Ten Reviews)
• Using third-party detergents may void the warranty and damage the rollers (per Dyson support guidance)
• Residue from detergent can also cause streaks and reduce cleaning performance

The WashG1 is designed to work with plain water. The rollers and internal passages are optimized for low-foam, non-detergent cleaning. Dyson’s official maintenance page states that “only water or Dyson cleaning solution should be used” – any other additive could harm the machine. User reports on forums suggest that concentrated disinfectants like Zoflora can leave a residue and might shorten roller life, but Dyson has not issued a definitive statement on that specific product.

Zoflora and other concentrated disinfectants

Despite the warnings, some owners have tried Zoflora in the WashG1. According to Reddit discussions, users reported residue buildup and reduced roller lifespan. Without an official statement from Dyson, the risk remains unclear. If you decide to experiment, you do so at your own risk – and likely at the cost of your warranty.

The implication: If you want worry-free operation, keep the WashG1 on water only. If you must use a disinfectant, be prepared to accept potential damage and voided coverage.

How long do Dyson WashG1 rollers last?

Roller lifespan and replacement frequency

• Based on early user reports, roller replacement appears needed every 3–6 months with regular use
• Dyson has not published an official replacement schedule, but replacement roller sets are available from Dyson and third-party sellers
• The self-clean cycle ejects dirt from the rollers, but manual rinsing after each use is recommended for best longevity (Galaxus)

The rollers are made of microfiber and nylon. Over time, they collect oils, grime, and fine particles that the self-clean cycle can’t fully remove. Good Housekeeping noted that “you still need to rinse the rollers under the tap after a few uses to keep them fresh” (Good Housekeeping).

Signs of wear and maintenance

When the rollers start leaving streaks or not picking up as well, it’s time to clean them manually. If the fibers are matted or frayed, replace them. The self-clean cycle runs for about two minutes and ends with hot air drying, which helps reduce odor but doesn’t deep-clean the fibers.

Does the Dyson WashG1 leave streaks on floors?

Streak test on common floor materials

• Top Ten Reviews reported no streaking on smooth hard floors in one pass for liquids like sauce and milk (Top Ten Reviews)
• Good Housekeeping found no streaks on vinyl, ceramic tile, or hardwood (Good Housekeeping)
• Homes to Love noted that streaks may appear on very glossy or uneven floors, especially when the rollers are dirty (Homes to Love)

The WashG1 applies water through the rollers and then vacuums it back into the dirty tank. On flat, non-glossy floors, this works perfectly. But on glossy or textured surfaces, the water can dry unevenly, leaving faint streaks. The three cleaning modes allow you to adjust water volume – using the lowest setting on glossy floors reduces the risk.

How to minimize streaks

Keeping the rollers clean is the single most effective step. A dirty roller will smear residue onto the floor. Also, avoid using any detergent or floor polish, as these can react with the water and cause streaking. If you see streaks, try a couple of passes with a dry microfiber cloth or reduce the water flow.

Why this matters: For homeowners with dark, glossy tile, the WashG1 may require a bit of trial and error to get streak-free results. It’s not a set-and-forget device.

What is the difference between Dyson Submarine and WashG1?

Dyson WashG1 vs Submarine wet cleaner vs V15 Detect Submarine

3 models, one pattern: the Submarine combines vacuum and wash in one pass, while the WashG1 is a dedicated wet cleaner without vacuum capability.

Sources: TechRadar comparison, Top Ten Reviews, Galaxus.

How to clean and maintain the Dyson WashG1

1. After each use, empty the dirty water tank and rinse it with fresh water.
2. Remove the rollers and rinse them under running water to dislodge trapped dirt.
3. Place the rollers back into the machine and dock it on the charging base.
4. Press the self-clean button; the cycle runs for about two minutes and ends with hot air drying (Galaxus).
5. Empty the dry debris tray after each use – it collects larger particles that the wash system doesn’t process.

Following these steps daily will keep the machine fresh and extend roller life. Good Housekeeping recommends a deep clean of the rollers once a week by soaking them in warm water (Good Housekeeping).

The trade-off: Regular maintenance is not onerous, but it’s more involved than a traditional mop-and-bucket routine.

What real owners and reviewers say

The WashG1 is an effective and easy-to-use hard floor cleaner that leaves floors clean and dry.

— TechRadar reviewer

On vinyl, ceramic tile, and hardwood, the WashG1 handled wet, dry, and sticky messes with ease.

— Good Housekeeping tester

The Dyson WashG1 is a niche product: it does one thing – wet cleaning smooth hard floors – very well, but at $700 it demands a premium. For households with mostly hard flooring and no need for vacuuming, it’s a solid investment. But if you already own a Dyson V15, the Submarine attachment offers more versatility at a lower cost. For NZ buyers, the price and limited availability mean it’s worth considering alternatives like the Bissell SpinWave or Tineco Floor One S5. If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner first, check our guide to the best stick vacuums in NZ. For a broader look at Dyson’s range, see our best Dyson vacuum cleaner models.

Frequently asked questions