Customer Reviews

iRobot Scooba Hard Floor Cleaner, Natural Enzyme Formula, 16-Ounce

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've used my Scooba floor robot for more than two years with excellent results. I've always used the Clorox cleaning solution and have been more than pleased with this product. However, for some reason, iRobot no longer manufactures the Clorox product (according to their customer service department in response to my email). They now recommend using Scooba Natural Enzyme cleaning solution. It's useless. When I contacted iRobot for alternatives they simply pushed their new cleaning solution and gave me "environmental" excuses for its benefits. Hey, I just want clean floors. I emailed iRobot back demanding usable alternatives and was informed I could used plain lukewarm water and/or a white vinegar mixture. The vinegar does a better job than Scooba Natural Enzyme cleaning solution, if you don't mind the smell, but it still doesn't compare to the Clorox product. I think iRobot has shot themselves in the foot this time. Their Roomba product is fantastic---I own three---but I will not buy another Scooba. What good is the machine if it doesn't clean properly.

I have owned a scooba for nearly one year now. I was always pleased with the Clorox cleaning results. I recently ordered the
enzymatic cleaner and it does absolutely nothing different than plain water. Vinegar is more effective. Unfortunately The Scooba is not the same machine without the Clorox cleaner. You can buy this Enzymatic cleaner at Whole Foods for a fraction of the cost. It is called "Naturally It's Clean" By Enzyme Fresh Home whose parent company is Chem Free Solutions.
I am all for a better environment and run a 80% organic home, but my floors need to be clean.. and this solution does not cut it.

If you read the reviews of this at the iRobot.com forum, you'll see people who love it and people who hate it. It really all boils down to the smell. The original Clorox solution for Scoobas, which is no longer available from iRobot but is available here on amazon.com - iRobot 5950 Clorox Scooba Cleaning Solution - smells a bit ammoniacal, like Windex, and cleans quite well. This new enzymatic cleaner works about as well - maybe not quite as well, but very close, in my experience. It has, to my nose, a very slightly unpleasant smell, but one that disappears quickly once the floor dries. I would guess that the people who vigorously dislike this do so primarily because they are genetically more sensitive to the smell (just like some people can smell asparagus pee and some can't), or at least, find this smell more objectionable than the ammonia smell of the original cleaner. I like the original's smell a bit better but this isn't really that bad-smelling to me.

If you get the new Scooba 230 - which I just got - the compact bladder design means that you have to use this or just plain water. The Clorox solution will damage the Scooba 230's bladder.

And for those who complain about streaks - I get streaks with the Clorox solution, too - but only if I haven't mopped in a while. Just means you need to mop more or more often.

It smells like good cleaner, seems to clean the floor without residue, and the scooba likes it. Please disregard the "smelly" reviews, I wondered about that myself up until I opened/used the cleaner. It's fine.

Switched from the clorox brand floor cleaner to this stuff and WOW what a difference. It also smells far better then the Clorox or vinegar, and allegedly, the enzematic nature if this formula cleaner is safer too!

I have a Scooba 230 and have been using it for several months now and love it. I tried the sample packages of the Scooba Hard Floor Cleaner and it worked great. I am very sensitive to odors - strong odors frequently trigger a migraine - and didn't notice any unpleasant smell in the sample packages. While cleaners with bleach give the clean smell we have grow up to expect, I am glad to have an alternative to those harsh cleaners. I haven't noticed any streaking on any of my floors but that may be because I clean my floors very frequently, at least once a week. I always rinse both the clean water and dirty water bladders after every use and clean the bottom plate. I am very happily enjoying cool, smooth, clean floors under foot.

I hadn't used the other cleaning solution. This works great as far as I can tell. I did notice the odor with the sample packets that came with the machine (Scooba 230) but I didn't notice any bad odor from the bottled cleaner. I found this for far less money at the BB&B web site (not available in the stores when I checked.)

This being my first Scooba experience, I defer to the opinions of others who say that the old solution worked better. I'm just saying that it cleans the floors from my experience.

I still have not received this product and its been two months. Not sure what happened because I got the other product I ordered at the same time and day.