Trending Today: Robotic Vacuums

“Cleanliness is next to godliness” is a proverb that we have all heard at some point in our life, and it holds true even now.

Throughout history, humans have been conscious of keeping their ‘space’ clean as far as possible. We achieved this by using various devices that aided in cleaning, such as brushes, mops, dusters, and the likes. As technologies developed and lifestyles evolved, gadgets and appliances were invented for the benefit of the home-maker.

The Latest Trend In Cleaning - Robotic Vacuums

A robotic vacuum is an autonomous vacuum cleaner. These smart devices take care of your floor cleaning chores.

The earliest robot models were operated via a remote. All you had to do was select the self-drive mode, and your robot was set to clean your floors. Unfortunately, they didn’t catch on too quickly, as, like the first vacuums, the cons outweighed the pros. Most early robotic vacuums left uncleaned spots, fell down the stairs, or bumped into furniture and objects. Before the turn of the 20th century, however, many brands had addressed these glitches.

Today, robotic vacuums can clean an entire floor, covering all the tough-to-reach nooks, crannies, and inaccessible corners, making them the perfect appliance for people who want to reduce time spent on household chores.

They also have greater cleaning power, convenience, and durability.

How Do They Work?

Robotic vacuums come with a home base or a docking station. This is the part you attach to a wall with access to a plug point. The home base is where your robotic vacuum will sit until it’s time to begin cleaning. It is also where your robotic vacuum will return to when it’s completed the cleaning or requires a charge.

Robotic vacuums use different sensors—from cameras to lasers, gyros, and radars—to map and navigate the house. While bumper sensors steer robot away from large objects like furniture, cliff sensors warn them when they’re about to fall off a step.

 

Do You Need A Robotic Vacuum?

 

Robotic vacuums are a futuristic way of maintaining a spik and span home with little to no effort on your part. Before you zoom off to purchase one, consider all the advantages and disadvantages to make an informed decision.

 

Pros:

• Works without supervision
• Cleans inaccessible spaces like under beds, couches, etc.
• Includes several advanced features such as scheduling, self-emptying dirt disposal bags, app control, and full bin indicators
• Helps keep pet hair and allergens like pollen under control
• Compact and lightweight
• Cleans quickly and effectively with options such as vacuum, dry and wet cleaning, and recharge and resume
• Easy to service and maintain
• Long life
• More reliable and cost-effective than household help
• Self-charging
• Low noise levels as compared to hand-held devices
• Perfect for people with limited movement

 

Cons:

• Some models can be expensive, depending on features and size
• Cannot clean all parts of your house like stairs, curtains, beds, and sofas
• Prone to getting stuck frequently, especially when wires are involved (example, under computer tables)
• Coins, small toys, socks, jewelry, etc. fallen outside the ‘no-go’ area will get stuck in your robotic vacuum cleaner
• Charging time can vary between 2-5 hours
• Need to ‘robotic vacuum proof’ your space before starting the cleaning

 

Things To Note Before Buying A Robotic Vacuum

• Lithium-ion batteries are the latest technology
• HEPA Filtration ensures maximum dust particles are captured instead of being expelled into the air
• Ease in the availability of replacement parts - especially brushes, batteries, and wheels
• Virtual walls (barrier tape) that keep the robot out of specific areas of the house
• Schedule features to suit your needs
• Intelligent navigation systems so the robot can recognize the layout of the house and improve its efficiency

Tips to Promote Longevity of Robotic Vacuums

Although robotic vacuums are built to last, following best practices can help your vacuum last much longer.

Best Practices

• Battery - Read the manufacturer’s instructions on battery maintenance and then follow that advice.
• Brushes - Since they tend to catch all the stray hair around the house, cleaning your robotic vacuums brushes frequently will ensure proper functioning without stressing other mechanical or moving parts.
• Filters - It is recommended that these be replaced or cleaned every six months. You can also increase the frequency depending on allergy season.
• Sensors - Clean sensor ‘eyes’ at the front and back of your robotic vacuum every month and replace them every two years to ensure they work well.
• Bin - Empty or clean the bin regularly to void over compressing the debris.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Robotic vacuums aren’t just a passing trend. Not only are they useful and convenient to have around the house, as technology advances, we are sure to see further changes in their cleaning and sanitation abilities.

Even those who prefer traditional cleaning techniques will agree that having an additional helping hand in the form of a robotic vacuum has helped maintain a higher standard of cleanliness. After all, no matter how thoroughly you clean, there are always microscopic dust particles or stray hair here and there or a small corner that is overlooked.

In a world reeling with the aftermath of one of the most widespread medical challenges in recent history, it is imperative to have multiple protective barriers for your home and family.

Wouldn’t it be a huge relief knowing that you can kick back and relax after a long day of work and leave the cleaning to a professional?