For an upcoming project I realized I needed something that wasn’t readily available (and cheap): a DC electric pump. If you have ever used a Swiffer before you will know that when you press the button on the end of the handle you hear the distinct whir of the motor spitting out the washing fluid onto the floor. In my confidence and experience of 20+ years of taking things apart and putting them back together I decided to go out and buy one with one goal in mind: total tear down.
Disclaimer: this is purely for educational purposes only. If you choose to to this yourself you do so at your own risk of injury or loss of any kind. Also, what I will be doing to my Swiffer in the next steps will indefinitely void any warranty (if they have warranties..) it has.
Introduction: Disassemble a Swiffer WetJet Mop The entire unit can be disassembled easily, and you can recover the entire pump assembly to use in your own homebrew robotic micropipettor, DNA synthesizer, or bar-bot.
Grab the nozzles and tubing
I also had a use for the tubing and nozzles used to squirt out the cleaning fluid. Lets grab those while we’re at it!
After some wrestling with the lower portion of the Swiffer I figured out how to get the dang thing open. (Luckily the two pieces were not heat staked together)
Turns out there are hidden screws holding the two pieces lower housing together. To get at them you need to remove the velcro as seen in the steps below. (I am doing it this way because I still wanted to use my Swiffer as a mop for the apartment. Be as destructive as you want with your Swiffer. No skin off my back.)
- Remove the velcro. Tip: I used my trusty Weller 6966C. It does get a bit too hot for the velcro so I had to ensure it wouldn’t melt it. Did you know? That using heat makes removing anything sticky a breeze. Remember the last time you tried to remove a sticker off of your brand new computer only to leave a whole bunch of sticky residue? Residue no more my friends.
- Unscrew the hidden screws.
- Separate the housings and remove the tubing.
Lets remove some screws
- Remove the screw right behind the narrowest portion of the lower housing.
- Remove the screws located in the inside of the lower housing.
- Remove the last screw connected to the white “guts” inside. See below:
- You should be able to pull the white “guts” from the housing. Warning: There are two extremely sharp spikes inside the “guts” assembly. Be careful when removing.
- Remove the pump housing screws. You may need to hold back the plastic piece that slides forward and backward when a bottle is inserted.
- Pry off top plate with a flathead screwdriver.
- Once you have the screw heads exposed unscrew the ones holding the pump to the surrounding plastic wall.
- Remove the pump from the plastic wall. (Be Careful!)
- Cut the tip of the spike. (Mostly for safety reasons – I ended up using a Dremel to grind off the tip. Using any kind of cutters will most likely pinch the walls of the hollow spike together – see below)
- Use a paperclip, as needed, to ensure the hollow spike is clear of debris from grinding it.
How to Fix a Swiffer Jet
Does Swiffer WetJet really work?
According to Swiffer‘s internal testing, the WetJet system can clean floors up to 50% better than a standard mop and bucket. The secret lies in the dual-action cleaning. The solution dissolves messes, while the thick pad provides extra scrubbing power and absorption as it glides over the floor.
How to disassemble a Swiffer wet jet?
By following these steps, you can ensure your swiffer wet jet stays in top-notch condition and helps keep your home clean and tidy. Disassembling the swiffer wet jet is a simple process that can be done by anyone. First, remove the solution tank from the handle by pressing the release button. Next, remove the nozzle by pulling it straight off.
Can You Wash a Swiffer WetJet?
No, WetJet pads are designed for one-time use. Machine washing will damage the fibers. How long should the WetJet last? Properly maintained, the WetJet itself can last 5 years or more. Batteries last around 1 year with regular mopping sessions. And there you have it – everything you need to know to master the Swiffer WetJet like a pro!
How long does a Swiffer WetJet last?
Properly maintained, the WetJet itself can last 5 years or more. Batteries last around 1 year with regular mopping sessions. And there you have it – everything you need to know to master the Swiffer WetJet like a pro! Let‘s Get Mopping! Well my friend, we‘ve covered a whole lot of WetJet tips and tricks together today.