This Wet-Dry Vacuum Saved My Floors After I Spilled a Whole Pot of Pasta Water on It

A few months ago, I managed to spill nearly an entire pot of pasta water across my kitchen floors. Not only was it a lot of water, but it also had that starchy, slightly greasy residue that loves to cling to floors. Normally, that would have meant grabbing towels, mopping twice, and hoping the laminate didn’t warp in the process. Instead, it turned out to be the perfect trial for the Narwal S30 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner that I had been testing — and it absolutely delivered.

The Narwal S30 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner arrives impressively prepared: The box includes the wet-dry vacuum cleaner itself, a self-cleaning/charging station, cleaning solution, and an extra deodorizing filter. Setup is straightforward. You plug in the base, assemble the handle, fill the clean water tank, and you’re basically ready to go. What makes this machine stand out immediately is that it both vacuums and mops at the same time. There are five cleaning modes to choose from depending on your needs: an AI smart mode that automatically adjusts power as it senses dirt, a max enhancement mode that boosts suction for heavy messes, a quiet mode that reduces noise and uses less water, a wood floor mode that’s gentler and more protective, and a suction mode works as vacuum-only for dry debris.

With up to 20,000 pascals of suction power, it lifts dry debris while washing away wet messes in a single pass, so you’re not constantly switching tools or retracing your steps. It also has a self-cleaning roller that rinses itself under hot water after each session (and even partially dries), which is a huge win for preventing mildew and lingering odors. The built-in, zero-tangle hair system uses cutters and combs to keep long strands from wrapping around the rollers, making it especially helpful in homes with pets or long hair. Plus, the flexible 180-degree lie-flat body and wide turning angle make it incredibly easy to glide under furniture and maneuver into tight corners. It’s cordless and lightweight, too, so moving room to room feels effortless.

The first time I ran the Narwal S30 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner on my kitchen floor after the pasta water spill, I fully expected to need at least two passes. Instead, one pass sucked up all the liquid along with whatever oily, starchy residue that was left behind — and there was no soggy film afterward. 

Since then, I’ve also used it in place of my normal sweep-then-mop routine, and it has handled everyday crumbs, dust, and light spills effortlessly. The automatic push-assist makes it feel like it’s gliding on its own, and I love that it literally speaks when it needs attention, reminding you to refill the water tank or recharge the battery. And when you’re finished, returning the unit to its base sends it into self-cleaning mode, so you’re not stuck scrubbing the roller yourself.

• It replaces both a vacuum and a mop for everyday cleaning: Instead of vacuuming first and mopping second, the Narwal S30 Pro handles dry debris and wet messes at the same time, cutting my usual floor-cleaning routine in half.
• Push-assist and voice prompts make cleaning feel effortless: The automatic push-assist helps the vacuum glide smoothly across floors, and the voice alerts let you know when it needs water or charging, so there’s no guesswork.
• The self-cleaning base makes post-cleaning maintenance easy: Once you return it to the dock, the roller cleans itself, which means no scrubbing mop heads in the sink and no lingering odors.
• It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver in tight spaces: The cordless design and lie-flat body make it simple to reach under furniture and along baseboards without feeling bulky or heavy.

• You’ll want to empty the dirty water tank after each use: Letting it sit too long can cause odors, but quick emptying keeps everything fresh.
• Self-cleaning adds a little time after you’re done cleaning: The extra minutes are worth it for a clean roller, but it’s not an instant shut-off.
• Very sticky or dried-on messes may need a second pass: For everyday spills and routine cleaning it’s excellent, but tougher grime can take an extra run.

If you’re over the bucket and broom shuffle — and especially if you have hard floors with frequent spills or pet hair — this hybrid floor cleaner works great. It delivers on its promise of deep wet and dry cleaning in one go and cuts down on the physical legwork. It doesn’t completely replace every accessory in your closet, but it comes impressively close.

Buy: Narwal S30 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner, $549.99