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Over the years of owning, testing, and reviewing my fair share of robot vacuums and Roombas, I have come across a plethora of tricks to help get the most out of them.
Here are a few of my favorite Roomba/robot vacuum tips and tricks, enjoy!!!
1. Prep before they clean
If your robot vacuum runs on a schedule, make a mental note to clean up the house a bit before they are set to run their cleaning cycle. Most, if not all robot vacuums will get stuck on things like socks, phone chargers, backpacks, and whatever else you may have lying around.
To ensure that your robot vacuum is able to clean your entire home, make sure you do a little de-cluttering before each cleaning cycle.
2. Lean chairs from time to time
Depending on how small the area is between chair legs and how wide your robot vacuum is, there's a chance your vacuum may not be able to get into tight areas like this. If you know your robot vacuum is about to clean, or you're about to run it manually, move things around and lean your chairs up so the vacuum can get to areas it normally struggles with.
3. Watch it!
The first 1 or 2 times your robot vacuum runs, make sure you keep an eye on it. Sometimes your little robot friend can get itself into trouble that you'll have to stop quickly. This also gives you the ability to see what areas the robot struggles with.
4. Software updates are ESSENTIAL
If you weren't already aware, software on your robot vacuum can and should be updated as soon as you see an update available. If you have a robot that maps your home, you probably agreed in the TOS that the company who made the vacuum is able to see your floor plans.
If their software gets compromised, this data can get into the wrong hands. Or, it can be used to brick your robot.
So, don't ignore updates!
5. Clean the brush out & empty the bin
While we may want to believe that robot vacuums are completely hands-off, it's in your best interest to clean out the brush roll and dust bins for your robot on a regular basis. Debris buildup can cause the unit to stop working, and if you're outside of your warranty period, this can mean a big hunk of uselessness sitting in your living room.
6. Avoid water
Unless you have a robot vacuum that also doubles as a mop, like the roborock S5, you should help it avoid water or other moisture at all costs. If water gets into the cleaning mechanism, it can damage the mechanics of the machine. If you're lucky enough not to have any lasting damage, you can likely guarantee that the filter of your vacuum has been saturated, which can develop mold if not allowed to dry out properly.
If you have an old outdated Roomba that's causing issues, you may want to consider an upgrade. If you have tile or laminate floors, the RoboRock S5 is an incredible choice because it vacuums AND mops. It's hands down one of our favorite robot vacuums.
7. If you have virtual walls, use them
Not all robot vacuums come with virtual walls built-in. But, if you do have them, use them. Most high-end Roombas and other models like the Neato Botvac D7 come with incredibly useful virtual walls that allow you to block off areas where you don't want your robot vacuum going.
8. Keep the charging base clean
The charging base is the home of your robot vacuum. Your robot vacuum keeps your home clean, so be a good friend and keep theirs clean as well. Most robot vacuums use a non-plug metal contact to charge the robot. If this is dirty, it can impede the robots ability to put itself on the charger, and its ability to receive and maintain a charge.
9. Consider a second
If you have a two-story house, having multiple robot vacuums is not a frivolous investment. Since no robot vacuum on the market today can navigate stairs, if you want the robot to clean numerous floors, you have to bring the robot up or downstairs manually.
If you have a multi-story house, invest in a second robot vacuum to fully automate your home's floor cleaning.
10. Run the robot as often as you need to
If you have a home with multiple pets, don't be afraid to run your robot every day, or even multiple times per day. For the average household with a single pet or multiple pets that don't shed heavily, running the robot 2-3 times per week is adequate.
If you have an older Roomba model, you're missing out. Newer models of robot vacuums have significant technological improvements.
We Recommend: Neato BotVac D7 Connected
When it comes to technology in robot vacuums, the Neato Botvac D7 takes the cake. This vacuum will map your floor and navigate intelligently. You can map out areas in the app for the robot vacuum to avoid, or for spot cleaning areas like around a cat litter box or the front door.
Have any tips of your own?
We love hearing from our readers! Let us know what tips and tricks you have learned about your robot vacuum by leaving a comment below.
As always, enjoy your vacuum and your clean home!