The robot vacuum cleaner is a marvel of modern engineering: a small machine that rolls around searching for dirt and debris that a human vacuum cleaner would miss, returning automatically to its charging base to recharge and resume cleaning. Plus, it has an intelligent navigation system, and some models have self-emptying feature too, which can automatically clean the whole house without your intervention.
Owning the best robot vacuum cleaner isn’t just about convenience, it’s about saving time and having a clean home. But how can you ensure that your robovac does a good job of cleaning? Here are a few tips and tricks to use robot vacuum cleaners more efficiently.
1. Supervise the First Few Runs
Robot vacuums need some time to get used to their new environment, just like a new pet exploring its new home for the first time. So, trial runs should be observed very thoroughly to figure out how well the bot is travelling the entire space, where it gets stuck, and so on. It is better to keep all doors and pathways open and free of obstructions so that the robot can navigate its way and map the area accordingly.
Keeping an eye on the first few trial runs will let you identify the trouble spots like tight corners or high thresholds of your home. You can therefore program them accordingly so that they can operate without any problems.
2. Clear Out the Floor
Clutter on the floor like pillows, cushions, pets and kids’ toys, and other small items are the biggest barrier for your robot vacuum when they clean. So, it is better to remove these items first before your robot vacuum starts to work.
Electrical cords and household wiring are the other biggest threats to robot vacuums as they can get tangled with the rotating brush and wheels of the robot and obstruct its operation. For this, you can use cable sleeves, or a cheap twist-tie will also work effectively.
Now, what about the long curtains? Floor-length curtains can also cause a hindrance to a robot vacuum’s operation. So, make sure to tie them up before sending your robot to clean.
3. Create a No-Go Zone
Regardless of how well you have cleared out the clutters or obstacles, there are still some areas you don’t want your robot vacuum to reach. So, what about those areas?
For those areas where you don’t want the robovac to clean, you may create a boundary line or virtual walls. For most of the bots, you can set no-go zones or room-specific cleaning options using the app to let the unit stay out of difficult spots. Some smarter vacuums come with magnetic boundary strips that can prevent the bot from cleaning the forbidden area.
But some cheaper robot vacuums don’t support the above method. For those, you may consider creating physical barriers like wooden planks, tiny gates, etc. So, if your robot bumps off on these barriers, it will change its cleaning direction automatically.
4. Keep your Robot Vacuum Away from High-Pile and Shaggy Carpets
Cleaning out the high-pile and shaggy rugs or carpets is challenging for many robot vacuum models. They can easily get stuck or caught in the tassels of the rug, either ruining the rug or damaging the internal components of the robot vacuum. So, what’s the solution?
To prevent the bot from getting caught in the tassels, it is best to remove the rugs or carpets from the floor before it cleans. No problem, if there are low pile carpets in your home, the robot can easily clean them off since there are no tassels to get stuck in.
5. Choose a Good Area For the Charging Dock
The charging dock must be in a good spot so that the bot can easily find its way back to the charging station. Make sure that the vacuum has an unobstructed path to and from the charging dock.
In addition, placing the dock on hardwood or tile floors is a better idea rather than keeping it on carpeted floors. It allows the bot to go back to the dock station smoothly. Another most important thing is to keep the charging dock always on when your vacuum is working.
Furthermore, the dock should always be placed against a wall and on even ground. It allows the robot vacuum to mount itself on the dock station easily and without assistance. Also, make sure that it’s at least two feet away from any objects on either side and four feet across from any furniture or stairs. So, your vacuum will get a clear path to reach the charging station.
6. Set Up a Schedule
The scheduling feature in a robot vacuum is the best option for busy homeowners and office-going persons. It allows the robovac to clean your home automatically when you are not at home, taking a nap, or gossiping with your friends.
You can easily select which days of the week or at which time you would like them to clean. So, when you come home, you find a clean floor and carpet.
7. Clean Up The Bot on a Regular Basis
To maintain the effectiveness of your robot vacuum, it is very much important to clean it up on a regular basis. The cleaning includes:
Emptying the Dustbin: The dirt compartment of robot vacuums are smaller as compared to regular vacuum cleaners, and the overfilled dustbins reduce the cleaning effectiveness of the robot. So, it is very much essential to empty the dirt compartment so often. Some innovative models come with self-emptying bins that reduce manual labor.
Cleaning Dust and Debris From the Filters: Dirty filters may also reduce the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum. So, you must clean the dust and debris from the filters each 2-3 usage. It is best to swap out the filter with a fresh one at every six months.
Removing Tangled Hair From the Vacuum Brushes: Tangled hair in the vacuum brush is quite common, especially if you have pets in the house. If not cleaned so often, it decreases the cleaning capability of the bot. So, it is crucial to detangle the hair stuck in it and remove it for the proper functioning of the robot vacuum. You can either scrub it with a bristle brush or comb well through the bristles to remove all the hair from it.
Cleaning of the Anti-Drop Sensors and Charging Contacts: Robot vacuums use an array of sensors to navigate your home properly. If it is dirty, it may restrict the robot’s movement all-around your house. So, make sure to wipe the anti-drop sensors and charging contacts using a microfiber cloth, so it stays in tip-top shape and function efficiently.