Robot vacuum cleaners that also wash floors have become increasingly sophisticated. Some automatically dose detergent, others wash and dry clothes in the station, and some even have separate tanks for the cleaning solution. But what happens when the original bottle runs out? Can we just buy a cheaper floor cleaner or use another brand?
The answer, contrary to what you might think, does not apply to all robots. The indications change depending on the manufacturer and above all the model.
The first thing to clarify is precisely this: we cannot take for granted that a detergent compatible with one robot is also compatible with another. The reason is that washing systems are not all the same. The way in which the detergent is dosed, the path of the water, the materials in contact with the liquid and, in the more advanced models, also the automatic dispensing system change.
For this reason, manufacturers can have very different indications.
What the main manufacturers say
The indications change quite a lot from one brand to another and, in some cases, even between different models of the same brand. According to the support pages and manuals consulted, this is the situation.
Ecovacs recommends its own solutions and warns that third-party products can cause problems, such as tank blockages or robot slipping. For models with automatic dosing, it indicates to only use Deebot detergent and not to pour it directly into the water tank.
Dreame also recommends its own cleaners and does not recommend those of other brands, as they may damage the device. In some models the detergent is only used to wash clothes in the base, so it is advisable to read the manual for your robot.
Narwal is among the most categorical: the official support indicates not to use detergents from other brands and specifies that the resulting damage is not covered by the warranty. For the Freo X Plus, in particular, third-party solutions are not recommended because they can cause water pumping problems.
Roborock instructs you to use only your own detergent in the tank to avoid corrosion or damage. The automatic dispenser, where present, is designed for detergents approved by the company.
With Xiaomi we find an even different situation: for some robots, such as X20+, the company indicates that they only use water, without detergents or disinfectants; for others, a specific detergent solution is provided, to be diluted according to the instructions.
Tineco also recommends its own solutions and warns that different products can cause excessive foaming and impair function.
The experience of those who have tried alternative detergents
Yet there are those who haven’t found it so bad with an alternative detergent. Nathalie Kleczinski, journalist for NeozOne, says in an article that she has repeatedly tried products other than those recommended by the manufacturers, including traditional detergents and home remedies, sometimes without knowing whether the manufacturer prohibited them.
Today he uses Purivita, a detergent designed generally for robot floor cleaners, not for a specific model. It costs 13.29 euros per litre, compared to 29.99 for the official Roborock solution, cited as a comparison. The author claims to have had no problems so far but does not specify which robot she uses it on.
Among the differences noted is the smell of dirty water in the tank, which according to her is almost absent with the detergents recommended by the manufacturers and more pronounced with a traditional detergent that stagnates.
However, it should be remembered that this is a personal experience, not a laboratory test: it shows that an alternative can work, not that it is safe on every robot. In fact, the same article calls for caution:
So can we use another brand’s detergent? The answer is: only in a few cases and always following the manufacturer’s instructions. As we have seen, some robots require a specific solution, others work exclusively with water and still others require a detergent, but only in certain modes and concentrations.
For this reason, before replacing the original product with one from another brand, the most important thing is to check the manual for your model. It is not enough for a detergent to be indicated as suitable for floor cleaning robots, it must be compatible with that specific appliance.
If in doubt, it’s best not to improvise: following the manufacturer’s official instructions is the easiest way to avoid problems with the robot.
