This Viral Wet-Dry Vacuum Is a Game-Changer

Two red and white bistro bar stools in front of a white bar countertop in an all white kitchen with brick walls and stainless steel appliances.
Credit: Chinasa Cooper Credit: Chinasa Cooper

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.

Tineco Floor ONE S3 Cordless Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Tineco Floor ONE S3 Cordless Hardwood Floor Cleaner

What Is the Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner?

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?)

cereal and milk spill on wood floor with wet vacuum in background
Credit: Meg Asby Credit: Meg Asby

How to Use theTineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner

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.

cereal and milk spill on wood floor with wet vacuum in background
Credit: Meg Asby Credit: Meg Asby

Why I Love the Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner

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.

clean wood floor
Credit: Meg Asby Credit: Meg Asby

Good to Know

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.

wet vacuum and all its parts on wood floor near rug
Credit: Meg Asby Credit: Meg Asby

Should You Buy the Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner?

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