Quick answer: Ecovacs Winbot W1, W1 Pro, W2 and W2 Omni all take the same style of washable microfibre cleaning pad, and a streaky Winbot is almost always running a worn or softener-damaged pad rather than developing a fault. Wash pads at 30–40°C with no fabric softener, air-dry, and replace every 3–6 months of regular use. You don't need OEM prices for that: compatible washable 6-packs start at £17.76.
The Winbot series is a capable machine — we say that as a competitor — but like every suction robot ever made, it's only as good as the microfibre on its face. If your W2's results have drifted from "how does it do that?" to "did it even clean this?", start here before blaming the robot.
Symptoms of a spent Winbot pad
- Hazy arcs or lanes following the robot's path — clogged fibres redepositing oils.
- Grey pad that won't wash white — bonded grime; the fibre wedges are full.
- Flattened, shiny pile — worn fibres that polish rather than grab.
- Pad creeping or bunching mid-clean — tired velcro; on any robot this also risks the seal.
- Musty smell on the glass after cleaning — pad stored damp; retire it.
Rule of thumb across all window robots: fibres before firmware. A £3 pad fixes what looks like a £400 problem surprisingly often.
Which pads fit which Winbot
The W1, W1 Pro, W2 and W2 Omni share the same pad format, so one set of washable replacements covers the whole family — including the W2 Omni's base-station workflow, which goes through pads faster because owners (sensibly) clean more often when it's this easy. Our compatible microfibre pads come as washable 6-packs (£17.76) or 8-packs (£21.80) — a fraction of OEM consumable pricing for the same split-microfibre construction.
Care rules (identical for every brand)
Machine wash 30–40°C, normal detergent, absolutely no fabric softener — softener waxes the fibres and is the number-one pad killer. Air-dry. Wash after every 2–3 sessions, immediately after grimy jobs. Keep a two-pad rotation so a dry pad is always ready. The full pad care guide applies to Winbots word for word, and the solution rules (damp, not wet; no washing-up liquid) do too.
While you're here: the honest cross-sell
We sell Winbot pads because Winbot owners need pads — no funny business. But if your Winbot is ageing and you're weighing a replacement, our CleanBot R1 vs Winbot W2 comparison lays out the differences honestly: the R1 runs 6,500Pa of suction with AI path-mapping and an 8-layer safety system at a meaningfully lower price than the W2 Omni. Your pads budget stretches further too — R1 6-packs are £27 and follow the same care rules.
FAQ
How often should Winbot pads be replaced?
Every 3–6 months of regular use, or immediately if greyed, flattened or velcro-weak. Washing restores clogged pads; nothing restores worn ones.
Are compatible pads safe for the robot?
Yes, provided they match the format — correct thickness preserves the suction seal, correct cut keeps clear of the drive edges. Ours are cut specifically for the W1/W2 family.
Can I wash Winbot pads with my towels?
Better not — microfibre harvests lint from cotton, and lint transfers straight to your glass on the next clean. Wash pads together, alone.
Grab a 6- or 8-pack of Winbot-compatible pads here — and your robot goes back to earning its keep this afternoon.