So you’ve made the jump and got yourself a robot vacuum – now what?
Whether you have a £200 budget robot or a £1,000 top-of-the-line model, there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your smart robot vacuum.
This quick guide will cover some of these easy tips to keep your robot running smoothly. Follow along as we dive into easy ways to maximize your robot vacuum.
Contents
Clean And replace The Filters
A dirty or clogged filter can make it difficult for your robot vacuum to run as smoothly as it can with a clean filter.
It is important to check your filter regularly; I’d recommend after every 2-3 cleaning sessions, especially if you have pets or high traffic areas.
To clean the filter, hold it over the trash can and gently tap or brush the debris off using your hand, a paper towel, or a cleaning brush if one is provided.
Even with proper maintenance, most filters need to be replaced every 2-6 months so be aware of the manufacturer recommended replacement schedule.
Watch For And Remove Tangles From The Brushroll
The brushroll can be a common place for hair, string, or small cords to easily become wrapped or tangled and cause a blockage.
It’s a good practice to get in the habit of regularly checking the brushroll for any blockage before or after every cleaning run.
Some robot vacuums will come with a hair removal tool.
If your robot does include this tool, make a point to use this instead of a knife or scissors, which may more easily damage your brushroll (if not used carefully).
Set Up A Wireless Connection
Many robot vacuums have the option of wireless connection, using a shared wifi network and connection to your tablet or smartphone.
Using a paired device, you can start or stop cleanings, program scheduled cleanings on a regular basis, or check digital cleaning reports (available on select advanced models).
Some robot vacuums even have the option to connect to smart devices that are voice-activated, like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Smartphone-enabled robot vacuums are generally more expensive and include other advanced features, making them a strong contender for the best robot vacuums on the market.
Always Start From The Base
This may sound like a small thing, but make sure to start each cleaning cycle from the base, whenever possible.
While this isn’t relevant for all robot vacuums, many models come with a memory feature which helps the robot remember the layout of your home to clean more efficiently.
When memorizing the layout of your space, consistency is a critical factor to efficient cleaning cycles.
Get Cords And Cables Off The Floor
While many robot vacuums claim to be able to ignore cords and cables, it’s generally a good idea to pick them up just in case.
Unless the cord absolutely must be on the floor, go ahead and pick it up and reduce the chance of your robot vacuum tangling itself up.
For permanent cords, use cable ties, tape, and other cable management techniques to secure them to walls, desks, and other objects, helping to keep them out of the way.
Be Careful Of Bathrooms And Wardrobes
These areas are notorious for tangles and housing hazards.
Shag or other high pile area rugs, common in a bathroom, can be a hazard for some robot vacuum models can cause the robot to jam up and stop a cleaning cycle.
Likewise, wardrobes pose a similar threat with low hanging clothes, shoelaces, ties, etc.
Anything that hangs down low or clothing left on the floor can easily be partially sucked up by your robot vacuum.
This can sometimes damage the clothing item, but more often than not, it is simply an annoyance that will likely stop your entire cleaning cycle.
Before running a cleaning cycle, do a quick pass through the home to pick up these types of high-risk items.
Use Virtual Walls
Many robot vacuums come with virtual walls (including Roomba and Neato, among others), which sit in a stationary location and create an invisible wall of sorts that the robot cannot cross.
This can be beneficial for blocking off hallways or other rooms without doors that you don’t want your smart robot vacuum to enter.
For many robots, large open concept areas can be hard to break down, due to their sheer size.
Virtual walls can be useful for these types of spaces that lack physical walls since they are a way to break up your space into bite-size “zones” that your smart robot vacuum can handle easier.
You can easily focus your robot on the higher traffic zones for daily cleaning and leave the lower traffic zones for intermittent cleaning cycles.
Some of the most advanced robot vacuum models, including the Neato D7, have a feature that draws digital maps of your space.
Using this technology, you can block off sensitive areas directly on the app or see if your robot is struggling with any other area in your home.
Smarter Thinking
Smart robot vacuums can be a great addition to cleaning your home.
And they can be made even smarter with some smart thinking, proper maintenance, and a little pickup.
Whether you have a budget robot vacuum, like the RoboVac 11C, or a super advanced model, like the Roomba S9+, that rivals the performance of something from the Jetsons, these simple tips and tricks are sure to add a level of efficiency to your cleaning cycles.
