Buzz
The white tiles in my living room are a constant eyesore: dirt from the garden trails in endlessly, my dog joyfully dashes through the doggie door covered in mud, and my enthusiastic cooking often results in food splatters everywhere. My quest for effective cleaning tools to restore order to my home has led me to purchase countless gadgets, each claiming to deliver a spotless floor.
Over time, I’ve experimented with the Hoover SpinScrub (a forerunner to this model), an array of steam cleaners, numerous cleaning solutions, and even a basic handheld scrub brush. Despite their promises, none could match the effectiveness of manually scrubbing the floor. That changed one evening when I spotted a Home Depot ad featuring a bright yellow device that vowed to solve all my cleaning woes—and it actually delivered.
This floor scrubber stands out as the ultimate solution
The Ryobi Telescoping Power Scrubber stands out as the top choice for floor cleaning. Its design speaks for itself. This cordless device is a true powerhouse. While it includes a medium-hard brush, additional soft and hard brush heads are available for purchase. While marketed for cleaning car exteriors, boats, roofs, or house siding, its versatility shines elsewhere.
For spotless tile floors, no other tool on the market compares to this one.
A beginner’s guide to using a power scrubber on floors
I opt for the medium-hard brush and tackle the floor in sections. Armed with a spray bottle of water, a container of Bar Keepers Friend, and a towel, I get to work. (Traditional floor scrubbers may have built-in water tanks, but the Ryobi’s lack of one doesn’t hinder its exceptional performance.)
Place the towel on the floor and stand on it. Spray water on the floor ahead, sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend, and start scrubbing vigorously. As you progress, keep the towel under your feet to soak up excess water. At the end of the room or hallway, a quick wipe of the wall trim may be needed for any minor splatters, but cleanup remains minimal.
The result is immaculately clean tiles, with every crevice and corner spotless. However, this process may strip away any existing tile sealer, so it’s worth considering reapplying a sealer, which is a straightforward task. (You can even use the scrubber for this by switching to a soft head like the microfiber cloth.) For lighter cleanings, you can skip Bar Keepers Friend and use just water or a mopping solution, as the scrubber handles the bulk of the work effortlessly.
Caring for the Ryobi Power Scrubber
Cleaning the scrubber is simple: detach the head and place it in the dishwasher. Remove the battery for recharging. Even a smaller 1.5-volt battery can power the scrubber long enough to clean an entire house in one go.
Tool enthusiasts often remain loyal to their chosen brand—Makita fans stick with Makita, and DeWalt users are equally devoted. Like many, I started with Ryobi due to its affordability and the extensive range of cordless tools. Over time, I’ve stayed with the brand because of its consistent performance as my collection grew. The batteries maintain their charge well, and I’ve yet to have one fail. I recommend purchasing bare tools (without batteries) once you have a few chargers and investing in higher-capacity batteries. With two 4-volt batteries, I rarely need extras. Ryobi has also expanded its lineup to include user-friendly items like fans and air compressors, while also advancing its brushless cordless line, which offers greater power and durability. Given this, it’s no surprise that Ryobi delivered an excellent tool in this category.
For added convenience, Ryobi also offers a handheld scrubber. If I hadn’t already acquired brush heads that fit my Ryobi brushless hammer drill for cleaning smaller areas like sinks and tubs, I would have gladly added it to my collection.
