Dyson has announced an alternative version of its slim PencilVac vacuum cleaner, which is designed to clean up spills and stains on hard floors instead of vacuuming up dirt and grime. Like the PencilVac, which Dyson called “the world’s thinnest vacuum cleaner” nine months ago, the new PencilWash squeezes a battery, motor and other electronics into its 1.5-inch handle. However, it replaces the dust container with a water tank located in a larger cleaning head with a single floor cleaning cylinder.
At 4.9 pounds without water or low-foam cleaning solution in the tank, the PencilWash is slightly heavier than the four-pound PencilVac, but it’s also slightly cheaper. The PencilVac costs $600 for a version with four rotating conical brush heads, while the new PencilWash costs $349, including a charging stand for the handle.
Designed specifically for cleaning hard floors such as tile, laminate and sealed wood, the PencilWash features a pressurized hydration system that delivers fresh water, which its high-density microfiber roller uses to scrub surfaces and then capture dirty water. Floors are not left completely dry, but dry enough that any remaining moisture evaporates quickly. And unlike larger Dyson floor washers, the PencilWash swivel handle can lie almost completely flat, reaching under furniture.
Battery life is estimated at more than 30 minutes on a full charge, which corresponds to the PencilVac setting on its lowest power setting. If that’s not enough time to clean all the floors in your palatial estate, the battery located at the end of the PencilWash handle can be replaced with a spare, which can be purchased separately.