Time Review
I think Time is the first to give an initial review of the Scooba (someone correct me if i’m wrong). Anyhow, here it is.
It looks like the device works well:
..it managed to cover every inch of the kitchen floor in that time [20 minutes]. The linoleum that had been greasy and sticky, with the occasional crusted food spot, was buffed to a smart shine.
Something new to me:
They also suggest that, if you’re out of the solution, running the Scooba with plain water will work to at least some extent.
I’d be interested in comparing the cleaning results with solution compared to without!
On battery life:
The Scooba cleans up to 200 square feet on a single tank of cleaner in an estimated run time of around 45 minutes. Its battery lasts a little longer than that, but only a little…
Scooba F O R C E S You To Use Clorox Solution
Got my Scooba today, will be sending it right back. We do not use smelly cleaning solutions in my house.
I had assumed I could just use water w/ the product - who cares about voiding the warranty - my right. Well, there is a sensor that detects for the product. Not only that, it is quite accurate. I tried 1/4 recommended mix , 1/2, 2/3, but would only work with the exact specified mix amount. Got a “check tank” error otherwise.
Really sucks! It is amazing that they would implement technology to enforce a marketing arrangement. Is this even legal?
Comment by John — December 22, 2005 @ 5:01 pm
Marketing arrangments are perfectly legal. And in many cases they help to increase consumer choice, rather than decrease it. Undoubtedly iRobot’s development of the Scooba was helped out by capital from Clorox, and there’s nothing illegal or even remotely negative (from a consumer’s perspective) about that.
And actually, it’s only illegal if other cleaning product companies could be prevented from offering a solution with the same necessary chemical components as the Clorox solution. Just because there is currently no competing product, doesn’t make the Scooba/Clorox marketing illegal. Check your antitrust laws (as well as basic economic common sense) before rounding up the class action lawyers, please.
Comment by Janet — March 20, 2006 @ 4:24 pm
Janet, do you work for Chlorox? That’s the most glowing review of “marketing arrangements” I’ve seen.
Comment by tedder — March 20, 2006 @ 10:08 pm
It cannot get into corners, but who cares!?!?!
I love it!!
I’m buying a couple more for Christmas gifts~
Comment by Ted — April 8, 2006 @ 1:35 pm
Bought the Scooba 3-4 weeks ago, after using Roomba for a while. My wife agreed with buyign Scooba mainly because she was skeptical about Roomba and now we use that everyday.
We had some trouble getting it to wrok properly - it would give messages about the tank being empty but it was not, etc, etc, etc. Finally got it right. Works very, very well for MAINTENANCE. Once a week we clean the fllor with water and rubbing alcohol…. recommend it, but by Roomba first.
Comment by Pedro — June 21, 2006 @ 4:53 pm
got one last week and lovin’ it!!
Comment by unique gifts — June 24, 2006 @ 12:22 am
Love it. Period. And the cleaning solution - don’t mind the smell at all. And as for price - it’s 37 cents per wash for the solution - no worries there either. It totally works and our kitchen looks great. Except for the up-front cost, which took a little consideration, the rest has been wonderful.
Comment by Dave — December 12, 2006 @ 3:08 am
You didn’t get a “check tank” error because of not using the Clorox solution. Many Scoobas on the first use, or if the unit has been dormant for a period of time, need to have the pump primed. The easiest wasy is to take a turkey baster with water in the intake valve by the battery until water comes out from the underneath of the unit. The unit can’t determine what you put in it. Can you imagine the cost of a chemical detector for a floor washing robot. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s a vast conspiracy.
Comment by Lynn's Swan — January 5, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
The Scooba warranty says:”! Use only Clorox (R) Scooba cleaning solution. Use of other fluids may corrode electronic parts, cause excessive foaming, create poor traction, and void the warranty…..Do not use bleach in Scooba…” The Scooba is a pain: many small parts to clean; only does a very small area and not even well, at that; dumps water on the floor; awkward to empty and fill…and you have to use the iRobot cleaning solution. I know other people who’ve had problems with their batteries and problems getting them replaced. The Scooba is a half-baked product.
Comment by Brad — July 16, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
Does anyone know what happens if you use a bit of bleach with the regular solution? Thanks, Dan
Comment by Dan — March 22, 2008 @ 4:28 pm