Two most common reasons why your Swiffer WetJet is not spraying are dead batteries or the lack of cleaning solution inside the tank. Start by pressing the eject button to get the cleaning solution out, and check how much is left. If there’s very little left, you should replace it and Swiffer WetJet should work fine now.
Don’t forget to check whether Swiffer WetJet is making any noise when pressing the spray button. If nothing happens, there’s a high chance that your batteries have run out of power. Simply replace the batteries and the cleaning tool should work fine. In case that didn’t help, keep on reading to find more possible solutions.
There can be many things that prevent your Swiffer WetJet from spraying. Proper troubleshooting needs to be done, in order to fix this. Some of the most popular problems include dead batteries, unclosed battery doors, clogged spray openings, and clogged or rusty pump motor. However, the good news is, it’s relatively easy to assess what exactly is the problem.
Swiffer WetJet not spraying – Troubleshooting guide
Proper troubleshooting is necessary to find the right solution. Based on our experience, we have created a quick scheme that will help you quickly find the origin of the problem. To find out more about each problem, go to the next section. Since there are many issues that can arise, we would recommend following those steps in the presented order.
- Press the spray button. Start troubleshooting by pressing the spray button. If Swiffer WetJet does not make any noise, the problem is most likely connected to the batteries. Check for them in a small compartment located in the tool’s handle. Replace 4xAA batteries just to be sure and close the compartment’s doors. If the problem persists, it may be related to battery connectors that need to be cleaned with acetone.
- Lubricate pump motor. If there’s no sound but you are positive that the batteries work fine, you should check for the pump motor. Fixing this problem will require disassembling the cleaning tool which will be described in the next section.
- Check for the cleaning solution. Your Swiffer WetJet shoots out the cleaning solution that is located in the tank. The lack or very minimal amount of solution will cause the cleaning tool to make a noise but not spray out any liquid. Press the eject button which is located at the back side of your Swiffer WetJet to remove the tank. Give the tank a shake, and look at it under the light. If the tank appears to have enough cleaning solution, this is not the problem.
- Look for clogged spray openings. The solution, often mixed with dirt, can build up clogging the spray openings. To make them work again, you will need to wipe off any dirt on the outside, and put a needle (pin and toothpick should also work) through the opening to push out the grime.
- Contact Swiffer. If everything else fails, you can always contact Swiffer customer service and explain the situation to them. There’s a chance, you may have gotten a faulty model that has manufacturing defects. The company also offers a 30 days money-back-guarantee for their products, and if this doesn’t work out, try asking for advice, a refund, or a discount.
How to fix Swiffer WetJet not spraying
Lack of cleaning solution
When Swiffer WetJet doesn’t have any (or very little) cleaning solution, it often makes a sound when pressing the spray button, however, the liquid doesn’t come out. The machine strains and tries to pump the solution through the nozzle creating some noise but fails to do so. Fix this problem by pressing the eject button located on the back side of Swiffer WetJet and by removing the tank. Give it a shake and look at it under a light to see how much cleaning solution is left. If the tank has little to no solution, this is probably the reason why your cleaning tool doesn’t spray.
Clogged spray openings
If the mop makes a sound when pressing the spray button but no liquid comes out, there’s also a high chance that spray openings are clogged. Spray openings in the nozzle that shoots out the solution can get clogged due to the lot of dirt and debris on the floor. The solution can also build up in there, blocking the passage for the liquid. Start by wiping off the spray openings and all the dirt on the outside, then use a needle (pin or toothpick will also work well) to push out all the stuck dirt and debris. To prevent this from happening in the future, wipe off the spray openings in the nozzle after each cleaning.
Battery problems
When you hear no sound while pressing the spray button, there’s a high chance that there’s a problem with the batteries. Check if the batteries are installed properly by removing a small compartment located in the handle of the tool. The mop operates on 4xAA batteries that should be placed in the slots. Be sure to properly place the batteries and close the doors of the small compartment.
There may also be a corrosion problem around the battery contact points, due to the battery acid. Clean the contact points with nail polish remover applied to a cotton pad or a cotton swab. Wait for them to dry completely, and replace the batteries.
Rusty motor pump
If the mop doesn’t make any noise when pressing the spray button, and you are sure that fresh batteries are installed correctly, it has something to do with the motor pump. Oftentimes, the motor pump needs some lubrication to work properly, and one that isn’t replenished can cause issues. To fix it, you will have to disassemble the motor of the Swiffer mop.
Start by preparing a flathead screwdriver and some type of dry lubricant. Remove the tank with a cleaning solution from the mop, and loosen two screws that are located on either side of the circle that the tank goes inside. Unscrew the big screw that sits on the outside and connects the mop’s head with the handle.
Disassemble the cover hiding the motor pump into two parts and use a flathead screwdriver to turn the motor manually through the small window. Apply the lubricant inside the motor and on the rusted elements. Now press the spray button, and wait for the tool to make any noise (if it makes a whirring sound, everything works as it should). Finally, you can put Swiffer WetJet back together.
Deep cleaning Swiffer WetJet
Proper maintenance is important in keeping your Swiffer WetJet in good condition. If you want to prolong the life of your cleaning mop, be sure to follow the steps given in this section. Cleaning the mop can also reduce negative effects related to exploitation such as decreased spraying power, worse navigation, or faulty buttons.
For deep cleaning your WetJet you will need:
- White vinegar
- Old toothbrush
- Needle/toothpick/pin
- Small bucket
Start by creating a homemade solution in the bucket, by mixing ¼ cup of white vinegar and ¾ cup of warm water. Remove the tank from Swiffer WetJet and dip your old toothbrush in the mixed solution. Start scrubbing the whole nozzle removing hard water stains, dirt, and grime. Thoroughly brush spray openings and use a needle to push out all the grime that accumulated in the small cleaning formula passage.
Now focus on brushing the spot where the tank with the cleaning formula sits. In fact, you can go outside with your mop and pour a bit of liquid onto the tank spot. The homemade formula will travel through the opening and into the nozzle. Now you can press the spray button so the formula also runs through spray openings. You can repeat pouring the formula inside and flushing it outside a couple of times.
Contact Swiffer
If everything else fails be sure to contact Swiffer on this topic. Explain your situation and all the steps that you took in troubleshooting. The company actually offers a 30 days money-back-guarantee, so there’s a chance you can still return the product. If you are way past the limit, you can always ask customer service for advice, a refund, or at least a discount.
FAQ
How long do Swiffer WetJets last?
Most people replace their Swiffer WetJet every 2 years, however, proper maintenance that includes regular deep cleaning, brushing, and lubricating the pump motor should prolong its life for up to 3 years. If the product breaks down on you in the first 30 days, you can contact Swiffer’s customer service which offers a 30 days money-back-guarantee.
Can I put vinegar in my spray mop?
Regular homemade solutions can be used in spray mops instead of commercial cleaners, included by the manufacturer. One of those is a white vinegar and water solution. Create one by mixing ½ cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water, and put it inside the spray mop’s tank.
Can you flip Swiffer Wet pads?
While this wasn’t intended by the manufacturer, you can actually flip Swiffer WetJet’s pads to get more uses out of them. When looking at a pad you can see that there’s one side with grooves in it (this one was designed for regular cleaning), however, you can flip it and use the opposite side as well.
Summary
In conclusion, the most common reasons why your Swiffer WetJet is not spraying are dead batteries or a lack of cleaning solution inside the tank. Firstly check for a cleaning solution by pressing the eject button, located at the back side of your mop. Look at the tank under the light to see how much liquid is left. If the tank has enough solution, the problem may be related to the batteries.
If Swiffer WetJet isn’t making any noise when pressing the spray button, there’s a high chance batteries are dead. You can also clean the contact points with nail polish remover, as there may be a corrosion problem. If that also doesn’t help, check for rusty motor pump and clogged spray openings.
Laura Avila, a female writer and cleaning enthusiast, shares her expertise on Cleaningfan.com. With years of experience, Laura provides practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home. Her articles inspire readers to create a comfortable living space.