In a country where mopping is more than a chore—it’s a daily ritual—Dyson is quietly re-engineering the way Indian households approach wet cleaning. At the heart of this innovation is Tim Hare, a design engineer at Dyson, who has been closely involved in solving the persistent inefficiencies of traditional cleaning tools like mops and cloths.
As India remains one of the most hygiene-conscious yet mop-dependent markets in the APAC region, Hare and his team have delved deep into user habits, cultural nuances, and technical challenges to develop solutions that are not only smarter but also tailored for Indian homes.
In this conversation, Tim shares insights from Dyson’s Global Wet Cleaning Study, the engineering behind the Dyson WashG1™, and why he believes the future of floorcare lies in intelligent, adaptable machines that elevate everyday cleaning into something far more effective—and far less exhausting. Here’s an exclusive interview with Tim Hare, Design Engineer, Dyson.
- Why do Indian consumers still trust traditional mops despite their obvious shortcomings?
Tim: In India, wet cleaning is deeply ingrained in household routines due to the prevalence of hard floors and the cultural emphasis on achieving a “barefoot clean”, however the majority still rely on more traditional tools such as wet mops, wet cloths, or sponges, and there is relatively low awareness about the advantages of modern wet cleaning machines over these conventional tools.
We understand the importance of mopping in Asian households achieve a healthy home. We combine this understanding with consumer feedback and our global research to build products like Dyson WashG1™.
ALSO SEE: Samsung May Unveil Tri-Fold Phone Alongside Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 in July
- How has Dyson’s engineering team adapted its wet cleaning technology for homes in India — which deal with dust, oily residue, and water-based cleaning rituals?
Tim: At Dyson, we’ve always been interested in understanding a problem before we design a solution. Wet spills and stains are common challenges in households around the world. But it’s often given little thought. When it comes to tough, dried-on stains, liquid, or residue like you mentioned, it requires to ‘re-hydrate’ them for easier removal.
According to the Dyson Global Wet Cleaning study, in India, wet cleaning is part of the daily routine. Traditional wet floor cleaning methods remain the most preferred choice for many Indian households, with mops, cloths, or wet sweepers in constant use, which often fail to deliver a “barefoot clean” floor finish. This can be due to an invisible film of dirt or grime left on the floor from cleaning with dirty water.
Additionally, traditional mopping relies on manual effort to scrub surfaces, which can be inconsistent, time consuming and less effective at removing stubborn stains, sticky residues. Dyson engineers set out to solve the problems of traditional wet cleaning formats with an effective, easy-to-use and hygienic solution. Wet floor cleaners like Dyson WashG1™, are designed to address these inefficiencies and simplify the process.
It is designed to remove both wet and dry debris simultaneously. It combines hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to tackle spills, stubborn stains, and even dry debris in one efficient pass. This makes it an ideal solution for households looking for convenience without compromising on cleaning performance.
Additionally, it separates clean and dirty water into different tanks, ensuring that only fresh water is applied to the floor throughout the cleaning process. When comparing efficiency, wet floor cleaners significantly outperform traditional tools. They not only save time by combining wet and dry cleaning in one step but also provide a more hygienic and thorough clean. By automating processes like water separation and stain removal, they ensure consistent results while minimizing physical effort. This makes them a far superior choice for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in modern households.
- Most Indian homes have mixed flooring — marble, tiles, wood. Does Dyson’s wet tech adapt to each surface intelligently?
Tim: In hard floor-dominant regions like India and other parts of Asia, mopping remains a key part of household cleaning routines. To cater to this, we developed the WashG1™as a dedicated wet cleaner designed specifically for hard surfaces. It is designed in a way to clean every type of hard floor.
- Is the future of home cleaning in India headed toward automation, or is intelligent design in manual tools still the key?
Tim: At Dyson, we believe the future of home cleaning is not just about automation, but about creating truly intelligent solutions that make cleaning more effective, efficient, an enjoyable. Each home has unique cleaning needs, such as a variety of floor types and higher levels of dust. Our focus at Dyson is on intelligent machines—floorcare technology that seamlessly adapts to different environments and user habits, combining powerful suction, advanced filtration, and real-time sensor-driven adjustments.
For example, our latest cordless vacuum cleaners utilize sensors to automatically detect floor types and optimize suction power accordingly, ensuring thorough cleaning without the need for manual intervention, but still giving users complete control when needed.
We believe intelligent design in cleaning tools—with features like lightweight construction, ergonomic engineering, and smart technology—continues to be essential. The consumers are looking for devices that are not only effective but also versatile, convenient, and responsive to their lifestyles. In short, the future lies in intelligent, adaptable machines that empower people with better control and superior results.
ALSO SEE: Noise Buds Marine Launched in India With 32dB ANC, Metal Case, and Detachable Chain