An automated solution dispenser for dispensing a solution having a defined list of one or more characteristics, the dispenser comprising: a mixing chamber; at least one controllable inlet port coupled to the mixing chamber for controllably receiving components to be mixed into a solution, at least one input sensor for determining a quantitative input of components to be mixed into the solution; an agitator for agitating solid components in the mixing chamber; at least one solution sensor for sensing one or more characteristics of the solution, the one or more characteristics comprising pH, temperature, or chemical composition; a cleanliness measuring sensor configured for measuring a cleanliness of a cleaning fluid; an outlet port coupled to the mixing chamber; a controllable outlet port valve for controlling the flow of solution through the outlet port; and a controller coupled to the at least one controllable inlet port, the at least one input sensor, the agitator, the at least one solution sensor, the cleanliness measuring sensor and the controllable outlet port valve, and wherein the controller is configured (i) to controllably supply a solid component to the mixing chamber until a target characteristic of the solution is detected, (ii) to direct the agitator to mix the received components into a solution and (iii) to direct the controllable outlet port valve to dispense the solution, and (iv) to direct the automated solution dispenser to implement a cleaning cycle, without user intervention, in which at least one inlet port inputs a cleaning fluid into the mixing chamber, and the controllable outlet port valve dispenses the cleaning fluid, to thereby clean a flowable path from the at least one inlet port to the outlet port, wherein the controller is configured to instruct one or more further cleaning cycles in response to a sensed cleanliness of the cleaning fluid after a cleaning cycle, wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises a controllable solids port for controllably supplying solid components to the mixing chamber from one or more solid sources, the controllable solids port comprising a solids dispensing system engageable with a solids dosing mechanism for controllably dispensing a dosed amount of a solid from one or more solid sources, and wherein the one or more solid sources comprises a plurality of containers, each container being coupleable to the solid dosing mechanism, and wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises a controllable liquid inlet port for controllably supplying liquid to the mixing chamber from one or more liquid sources. a mixing chamber; at least one controllable inlet port coupled to the mixing chamber for controllably receiving components to be mixed into a solution, at least one input sensor for determining a quantitative input of components to be mixed into the solution; an agitator for agitating solid components in the mixing chamber; at least one solution sensor for sensing one or more characteristics of the solution, the one or more characteristics comprising pH, temperature, or chemical composition; a cleanliness measuring sensor configured for measuring a cleanliness of a cleaning fluid; an outlet port coupled to the mixing chamber; a controllable outlet port valve for controlling the flow of solution through the outlet port; and a controller coupled to the at least one controllable inlet port, the at least one input sensor, the agitator, the at least one solution sensor, the cleanliness measuring sensor and the controllable outlet port valve, and wherein the controller is configured (i) to controllably supply a solid component to the mixing chamber until a target characteristic of the solution is detected, (ii) to direct the agitator to mix the received components into a solution and (iii) to direct the controllable outlet port valve to dispense the solution, and (iv) to direct the automated solution dispenser to implement a cleaning cycle, without user intervention, in which at least one inlet port inputs a cleaning fluid into the mixing chamber, and the controllable outlet port valve dispenses the cleaning fluid, to thereby clean a flowable path from the at least one inlet port to the outlet port, wherein the controller is configured to instruct one or more further cleaning cycles in response to a sensed cleanliness of the cleaning fluid after a cleaning cycle, wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises a controllable solids port for controllably supplying solid components to the mixing chamber from one or more solid sources, the controllable solids port comprising a solids dispensing system engageable with a solids dosing mechanism for controllably dispensing a dosed amount of a solid from one or more solid sources, and wherein the one or more solid sources comprises a plurality of containers, each container being coupleable to the solid dosing mechanism, and wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises a controllable liquid inlet port for controllably supplying liquid to the mixing chamber from one or more liquid sources.