JosephJoseph CleanTech Review
Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director
Engineered Cleaning That Actually Makes Sense
TL;DR - The CleanTech System in 30 Seconds
Joseph Joseph's CleanTech is a modular cleaning system featuring six multi-function tools sharing one telescopic aluminium pole. Most components are machine washable, dual or triple function, and engineered to feel substantial rather than flimsy. The 6-piece set costs £70 (£6 saving vs buying separately), with individual tools from £8-£16. There's also a clever spray mop (£42) with integrated bottle, spot scrubber, and wall bracket. This is for people who appreciate good tools, not those content with pound-shop cleaning supplies.
Jump to:
The Honest Introduction The 6-Piece System Tool-by-Tool Breakdown The Spray Mop Value Analysis Who Is This For?Let's Be Honest About Cleaning Tools
When I opened the email about Joseph Joseph's new cleaning system at 6am on a Saturday, I had two competing reactions. The sensible part of my brain said "close this immediately and go back to sleep". The other part, the part that finds quiet pleasure in a properly cleaned house and tools that feel right in your hand, was immediately intrigued.
I'm not going to pretend everyone cares about cleaning tools. If you're perfectly content with a basic mop and whatever dusters are on offer at the supermarket, that's entirely reasonable. This CleanTech system isn't for you, and that's fine.
But if you're someone who finds satisfaction in the calm that follows a properly cleaned space, if you appreciate tools that feel engineered rather than merely adequate, if you've ever thought "there must be a better way to clean grout" or "why do I need five different handles for five different tasks", then CleanTech deserves your attention.
My Cleaning Confession
I actually quite like cleaning, hoovering, and ironing. Not for the acts themselves, you understand, but for the quiet, possibly smug pleasure that follows. Everything clean, calm, and all is right with the world. If that resonates with you at all, you'll understand why CleanTech's engineered approach appeals. If it doesn't, you'll think I'm entirely mad, and that's fair enough.
The CleanTech Philosophy: Modular Intelligence
Traditional cleaning means accumulating tools: a window cleaner with its own handle, a duster with another handle, a mop, various brushes, each taking up space under the sink or in the cleaning cupboard. You end up with a jumbled collection of single-purpose items, half of which you forget you own.
Joseph Joseph approached this differently. They created a modular system where one telescopic aluminium pole connects to five different tool heads. It's the Swiss Army knife approach to cleaning, and it makes remarkable sense once you see it in practice.
The telescopic pole extends from 61cm (2 feet) to 86cm (2 feet 10 inches), allowing you to reach high windows or clean low baseboards without the dangerous stretching or awkward bending that causes so many household injuries. The aluminium construction keeps it light whilst maintaining rigidity, so tools don't wobble when you're applying pressure.
Machine Washable Components
Here's something genuinely clever: most CleanTech components feature removable parts that go straight in the washing machine. The glass cleaner's fabric surface detaches. The duster's microfibre head removes easily. The mop pad is machine washable with spares available.
This matters more than it initially sounds. Traditional cleaning tools accumulate dirt and bacteria, becoming progressively less effective and less hygienic. You're essentially spreading yesterday's dirt around today's surfaces. Machine washable components restore cleaning effectiveness and ensure you're actually cleaning, not just redistributing grime.
The 6-Piece Set: Tool-by-Tool Analysis
The CleanTech 6 Piece Cleaning Tool Set costs £70 and includes everything you need except the spray mop and storage rail, which are separate purchases. Let me walk you through each component with honest assessment of what works brilliantly and what's merely adequate.
Complete System Breakdown
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2-in-1 Glass Cleaner £14 separately Designed for windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces with streak-free cleaning capability. This features a soft fabric surface for washing and a firm rubber blade for removing soap and water marks. The fabric part detaches for machine washing when it gets dirty. This is genuinely clever design that replicates professional window cleaning technique: wash, then squeegee. No more streaky windows from drying cleaning solution. This alone is worth £14. -
2-in-1 Tile Scrubber £16 separately Large scrubbing head for tile surfaces with removable grout brush for detailed cleaning. The large brush cleans broader areas, then press a button to reveal a narrow brush specifically for getting crud out of grout lines or reaching inaccessible corners. Think toothbrush scaled up for bathroom tiles, but with instant switching between surface cleaning and detail work. Particularly useful if you've ever tried cleaning grout with a standard brush and wished you had something narrower. -
3-in-1 Detail Brush £8 separately Compact brush for tight spaces, corners, and intricate areas. Possibly the least exciting tool in the set. It has two different brush profiles and a scraping tool at the other end of the handle. I typically use a toothbrush for these jobs, though this does offer stiffer bristles. It's fine, but if you're building the system piece by piece, this would be my last purchase. At £8 separately, it's not unreasonable, but it's also not revolutionary. -
2-in-1 Surface Scrubber £12 separately Dual-sided pad with microfibre for delicate surfaces and abrasive side for stubborn stains. This is clever design for the ease of switching from washing to scrubbing and back again. No fumbling with different cloths or pads. One side for gentle cleaning, flip it over for aggressive scrubbing. The microfibre side is gentle enough for worktops, the abrasive side tackles burnt-on kitchen messes. Simple concept, well executed. -
3-in-1 Duster £16 separately Microfibre and noodle fabric sides for flat and uneven surfaces, includes storage sheath. This is essentially an elaborate duster with thoughtful engineering. The smooth microfibre side dusts flat surfaces like shelves and tables. The deeply textured "noodle" side handles uneven surfaces like radiators, lampshades, and ornate furniture. The cleverest bit? There's a tool stored in the handle that removes dust from the duster itself, extending usable time between washes. When it does need washing, the head detaches for the machine. At £16 separately, it's premium-priced for a duster, but the quality and versatility justify it. -
Telescopic Extension Pole £10 separately Aluminium construction with non-slip grip, extending from 61cm to 86cm. This is the heart of the modular system. Light enough for extended use, rigid enough to maintain control when cleaning overhead or applying pressure. The non-slip grip prevents the hand fatigue that cheap plastic poles cause. It connects to all the above tools except the detail brush, which is designed for hand-held use. At £10 separately, it's reasonably priced for aluminium construction.
The Value Calculation
| Glass Cleaner (separately) | £14.00 |
| Tile Scrubber (separately) | £16.00 |
| Detail Brush (separately) | £8.00 |
| Surface Scrubber (separately) | £12.00 |
| Duster (separately) | £16.00 |
| Telescopic Pole (separately) | £10.00 |
| Total if bought separately | £76.00 |
| 6-Piece Set Price | £70.00 |
| Savings | £6.00 |
The set saves £6 compared to buying separately, but the real value is having a complete, coordinated system rather than accumulating tools piecemeal.
The CleanTech Spray Mop: Engineering Overkill in the Best Way
The CleanTech Spray Mop (£42) exemplifies Joseph Joseph's design approach. They've managed to incorporate five separate features into one floor mop, which sounds excessive until you actually use it and realize each feature solves a genuine problem.
1. Machine Washable Floor Mop
Detachable fabric pad that washes clean in your machine. Unlike traditional mop heads that become progressively grimier, this stays genuinely clean.
2. Spot Clean Scrubbing Pad
For stubborn stains without changing tools. Press down and scrub without reaching for a separate brush.
3. Integrated Spray Bottle
Holds water or diluted cleaning solution with trigger-operated spray. No more lugging buckets or over-wetting floors.
4. Wall-Mounted Bracket
Stores the mop neatly when not in use, keeping it off the floor and preventing the mop head from developing that musty smell.
The spray function deserves particular mention. Traditional mopping means either dragging a bucket around or constantly returning to rinse your mop. The integrated spray bottle provides controlled moisture application exactly where you need it. For wood floors that shouldn't be saturated, this is particularly valuable. For heavily soiled areas, apply more spray. For quick touch-ups, minimal moisture.
Spare pads are available separately, so when the original pad eventually wears (after many washes), you replace just the pad rather than the entire mop. This is both economically sensible and environmentally responsible.
The Storage Rail
There's also a CleanTech Storage Rail (£20), and I'll let you guess what that's for. It's a wall-mounted system for storing your CleanTech tools visibly and accessibly rather than jumbled in a cupboard. Whether you need it depends on your situation. If you have adequate storage and prefer tools out of sight, skip it. If you value quick access and visual organization, or if storage space is limited, the rail transforms CleanTech from a collection of tools into an organized cleaning station.
The spray mop includes its own bracket, so the storage rail primarily benefits those with the 6-piece tool set.
Is CleanTech Worth the Investment?
Let's address this directly: CleanTech costs more than basic cleaning tools. The 6-piece set at £70 is substantial. The spray mop at £42 is premium-priced. If your budget is tight or you're content with pound-shop cleaning supplies, CleanTech probably isn't for you.
But consider what you're getting. Traditional cleaning tools tend to fall into two categories: cheap and quickly replaced, or expensive and single-purpose. CleanTech occupies a middle ground: quality construction with versatile, multi-function design.
The Quality Question
The aluminium pole feels substantial, not flimsy. The microfibre materials are quality grade, not the thin, scratchy stuff from budget stores. The mechanisms, the buttons that reveal hidden brushes, the detachment points for machine washing, all feel engineered rather than merely adequate.
This is equipment that feels right in your hand. There's genuine satisfaction in using tools designed with attention to detail. The non-slip grip on the pole, the smooth switching between functions on the surface scrubber, the clever dust-removal tool in the duster's handle, these are details that separate good tools from merely functional ones.
The Longevity Factor
Budget cleaning tools require frequent replacement. Mop heads deteriorate, handles break, brushes lose bristles. With CleanTech's machine washable components and quality construction, you're looking at years of use. When components do eventually wear, many are replaceable individually rather than requiring whole-tool replacement.
The environmental consideration also matters. One quality mop lasting five years beats five cheap mops creating landfill waste. The same applies to the entire system. If sustainability factors into your purchasing decisions, CleanTech's durability and washability align with those values.
| Consideration | CleanTech System | Traditional Budget Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | £70 for 6-piece set, £42 for mop | £20-30 for basic cleaning collection |
| Tool Quality | Engineered feel, aluminium, quality microfibre | Adequate but often flimsy |
| Storage Space | Modular system, one pole for multiple heads | Multiple separate tools with own handles |
| Machine Washable | Most components wash clean | Limited or no washability |
| Replacement Frequency | Years of use with component replacement | Frequent whole-tool replacement |
| Multi-Function | 2-in-1, 3-in-1 designs reduce tool count | Single-purpose tools only |
| Environmental Impact | Durable, washable, repairable | Frequent disposal and replacement |
| Overall Value | Higher initial cost, better long-term value | Lower cost but ongoing replacement expenses |
Who Should Buy CleanTech?
CleanTech suits specific types of people. Knowing whether you're in that group saves everyone time.
CleanTech Is For You If:
- You appreciate well-designed tools that feel engineered rather than merely functional
- You find satisfaction in effective, efficient cleaning
- You have limited storage space and prefer modular systems to collections of separate tools
- You value quality construction and durability over initial cost savings
- You have mobility challenges and benefit from telescopic reach avoiding dangerous stretching or bending
- You're concerned about hygiene and appreciate machine washable components
- You prefer fewer, better-quality items over collections of cheap tools
- You're building or updating your cleaning tool collection and want something that lasts
CleanTech Probably Isn't For You If:
- You're perfectly content with basic, inexpensive cleaning tools
- You're on a tight budget and need to prioritize cost over quality
- You view cleaning tools as purely utilitarian and don't care about design or engineering
- You rarely clean and don't want to invest in specialized equipment
- You already have a cleaning system that works for you
There's no judgment either way. Not everyone needs or wants premium cleaning tools, and that's entirely reasonable. But if you do value quality, thoughtful design, and tools that feel right in your hand, CleanTech delivers on those expectations.
The Modular Advantage
The genuine benefit of CleanTech's modular approach becomes apparent over time. You're not accumulating separate tools with their own handles, their own storage requirements, their own maintenance needs. You're building a coordinated system where components work together.
Need to clean high windows? Attach the glass cleaner to the telescopic pole. Dusting ceiling corners? Switch to the duster. Scrubbing bathroom tiles and grout? Tile scrubber with the hidden grout brush. One pole, multiple applications, minimal storage space.
This approach also means you can build the system incrementally. Start with the tools you'll use most frequently, perhaps the glass cleaner and duster, then add others as needs arise. The modular design ensures everything works together without redundancy.
Why Buy CleanTech from Art of Living?
- Over 50 Years Expertise - Family-owned since 1972, we understand quality home products
- Joseph Joseph Specialists - We stock the comprehensive range with expert product knowledge
- No-Quibble Returns - If you're not satisfied, we'll make it right
- Three Surrey Locations - See and handle CleanTech at our Reigate, Cobham, and Redhill stores before buying
- Expert Advice - Our staff can help you select the right CleanTech pieces for your specific needs
- Complete Range - 6-piece set, individual tools, spray mop, storage rail, and replacement parts in stock
Build Your CleanTech System
Engineered cleaning tools with Swiss Army knife versatility. Buy the complete set or build your collection piece by piece.
Shop CleanTech → Expert Advice →Final Thoughts: Engineering Meets Domesticity
Joseph Joseph CleanTech represents a specific design philosophy: household tools deserve the same engineering attention as professional equipment. The modular system, the multi-function designs, the machine washable components, the quality materials, these aren't marketing features. They're genuine solutions to actual cleaning challenges.
Is it essential? No. You can clean perfectly well with basic tools. But if you appreciate the difference between adequate and excellent, between tools that do the job and tools that do it beautifully, CleanTech deserves your consideration.
The system feels engineered rather than domestic, and for those of us who find quiet satisfaction in properly cleaned spaces and tools that feel right in hand, that's precisely the point.
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