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Quick answer: Use plain water or an official Roborock floor cleaning solution approved for your exact model. Roborock says not to add other cleaners to the water tank or floor because different formulas can damage the tank, create bubbles, or make mopping malfunction. Use the current bottle and model-manual directions; some docks auto-dose from a cartridge, while others require a diluted mix in the clean water tank.
The safe Roborock cleaning-solution shortlist
| Option | Use it? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain cool water | Yes | Safest default when the manual does not call for detergent |
| Official Roborock floor cleaning solution | Yes, when listed for the model | Follow the current bottle, region, and manual |
| Roborock detergent cartridge | Yes, in compatible auto-dosing docks | Install in the dedicated slot; do not pour into another chamber |
| Vinegar or homemade cleaner | No in the machine | Acid is not approved by Roborock’s general guidance |
| Dish soap / general floor cleaner | No | Foam and residue can interfere with the system |
| Bleach, disinfectant, ammonia, essential oil | No | Corrosion, residue, fumes, floor damage, or component damage |
This list is intentionally short. “Low-foaming” or “made for robot vacuums” on a third-party label does not mean Roborock tested it.
Which official Roborock solution should you buy?
Look for the current Roborock Official Floor Cleaning Solution for Robot Vacuums sold for your country and named as compatible with your model. Packaging, formula name, concentration, and available sizes can vary by region, so match:
- The robot and dock name shown in the Roborock app
- The compatibility list on the bottle or product page
- The dilution or cartridge instructions on that exact package
- Your floor manufacturer’s cleaner restrictions
Do not assume an older OMO-branded bottle, a wet-dry upright formula, and a current robot-mop concentrate use the same dilution.
How much Roborock cleaning solution should you use?
Roborock’s U.S. support guidance lists 1:300 for models where official solution is diluted in the water tank. However, current product labels and regional formulas can differ. The bottle and model manual take precedence over a generic ratio.
More concentrate is not better. Excess cleaner can:
- Leave a sticky film on the floor and mop
- Create foam in the dock tray
- Make the dirty tank smell like perfume mixed with wastewater
- Require extra rinsing
Measure the full tank volume and the product ratio rather than estimating a splash.
Where does the solution go?
Dock with automatic detergent dispensing
Install the compatible bottle or cartridge in the solution compartment. Do not dilute inside the cartridge or pour cleaner into the wastewater tank. The dock meters the product automatically.
Self-washing dock without a detergent cartridge
If the model manual permits solution in the clean tank, dilute the official Roborock concentrate according to the current label before use. Add cool water, measure the concentrate, close the tank, and reinstall it.
Robot with an onboard mop tank and basic dock
Check the exact robot manual. Use plain water unless it specifically permits official solution in that onboard tank. Small passages and filters make generic cleaner especially risky.
Dirty water tank
Do not put floor-cleaning concentrate in the dirty tank as a deodorizer. Empty, rinse, brush, and dry the waste reservoir. If your tank supports a dedicated dirty water deodorization module, that is a separate model-specific accessory.
What not to put in a Roborock
Vinegar: Roborock’s general support guidance says to use only its solution in the device. Acid can also be a poor fit for some floor finishes and machine materials. Read Can You Put Vinegar in a Robot Mop or Roborock? for the full answer.
Dish soap or castile soap: Even a small amount can create foam in a mop-washing dock.
Bleach or household disinfectant: Do not send these through the robot or dock lines. Never mix bleach with vinegar or another acid.
Essential oils: Oil can coat tubing, pads, sensors, and floor finish. It may also be unsafe around some pets.
General hardwood cleaner: A product can be safe for sealed wood and still be wrong for a robot’s pump. Both the floor manufacturer and Roborock need to allow it.
Steam-mop or wet-dry-vac formula: A Roborock upright floor washer and a Roborock robot mop may use different products. Match the device category.
Check the floor, not just the robot
An approved machine solution can still conflict with a floor-care warranty. Before whole-home use:
- Confirm the floor is sealed and compatible with damp mopping.
- Check the flooring manufacturer’s cleaner list.
- Test in a hidden area.
- Use the lowest effective water setting on moisture-sensitive floors.
- Stop if the floor becomes hazy, tacky, swollen, or discolored.
Does cleaning solution fix dirty-water-tank odor?
It can reduce the grease and food residue entering the waste tank, but it does not replace maintenance. For odor control:
- Empty the dirty water tank after each mopping job.
- Rinse it and clean the lid, float, seal, and corners.
- Clean the dock tray and filter weekly.
- Let mop pads finish drying.
- Replace pads when odor survives washing.
Use Roborock Dirty Water Tank Smells Bad? 6 Fixes That Work for the full routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cleaning solution can you use in a Roborock?
Use plain cool water or the official Roborock floor cleaning solution listed for your exact robot and dock. Follow the current bottle and model manual; Roborock says not to add other cleaning solutions.
Can I use any robot vacuum cleaning solution in a Roborock?
No. A generic product may have different surfactants, fragrance, concentration, or foam level. Roborock warns that other formulas can damage the tank or make the mopping system malfunction.
What is the Roborock cleaning solution dilution ratio?
Roborock's U.S. support guidance lists 1:300 for models where official solution is mixed into the clean tank, but product labels and regional formulas can change. Use the ratio printed on the current bottle and manual for your model.
Can I put vinegar in a Roborock?
Roborock's current general guidance says to use only Roborock solution in the machine. Do not add vinegar to the clean tank, detergent cartridge, or dock lines unless Roborock explicitly approves it for your exact model.
Can I use Bona in a Roborock?
Only if both Roborock and the flooring manufacturer list that exact Bona formula for the exact model. A floor-safe cleaner is not automatically pump-safe or low-foam enough for a robot dock.
Where do I put cleaning solution in a Roborock dock?
Use the dedicated detergent cartridge on auto-dosing docks. On a compatible dock without a cartridge, dilute official solution in the clean water tank only as the model manual and bottle direct. Never add it to the dirty tank.
