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Most robot cleaners are compact and can be easily stored anywhere in the home.
They can be used to clean areas that are difficult to reach as they can go under couches, chairs, beds, tables, etc.
That being said, there are a few things that you should know about taking care of your robotic vacuum.
This article covers the most important maintenance tips for taking care of your robotic vacuum, so that it will last for years.
Getting Started
In order for your robotic vacuum to keep running the way it should, it is important to make sure that it is properly maintained.
It is a good idea to read through the operating manual completely right after you purchase it, to make sure that you are using it correctly and you orient yourself to the major repairable and maintainable components.
Also, make sure that you allow it to charge the appropriate amount of time before you use it the first time.
Clear Your Floor
Part of proper maintenance is to make sure you prepare your room and floors before you use your robotic floor cleaner.
Make sure that there are no curtain hems or pull cords for your blinds on the floor where the vacuum could suck them up.
Also make sure that unnecessary items on the floor such as toys and other items, are removed before starting the robotic vacuum.
Finally, make sure there is no pet excrement on the floor! Otherwise, your robot vacuum could “paint the floor” in the most disgusting way.
Sensors
Most robotic vacuums have sensors located in the front and in the back. These are the eyes that detect obstacles.
If your robot vacuum gets stuck someplace, such as under the couch, make sure that you do not pull on it directly as this can cause damage to the sensors. Lift the couch and slowly help it re-track its way out.
You can clean the sensor eyes (glass or clear plastic cover) with a soft rag and warm, soapy water. Don’t use glass cleaners, bleach or detergent as it may damage the lens.
Filters And Bins
Another important aspect of robotic vacuum maintenance is to make sure you empty and clean the dust bin on a regular basis.
Don’t let them over-fill or become too densely packed, either.
The filter bins are often small, so it is important to make sure you watch for it to fill up and clean it out as soon as possible. Check them at least once every day that you run your vacuum.
Make sure that you also keep the filters clean. If you do not keep the filter clean, it will have to work harder to filter through dust and dirt. In addition, a dirty filter can hinder the ability of the unit from being able to pick up debris effectively.
Most manufacturers state that you should never use water to clean the filter. Instead, you should use a dust brush, compressed air or a hair dryer to clean the filter.
Wheels And Brushes
It is important to make sure that you clean the wheels and the brushes regularly in order to help your vacuum continue to run the way that it should.
You’ll want to look over the brushes to make sure that they are clean and free of anything that could be blocking them.
Especially remove long hairs, string and fibers that may have wrapped themselves around the brush spindle, because over time that can stop the spindle from rotating and possibly damage the motor.
You should clean the wheels by removing them with a screw driver. Do not use water to clean the wheels, instead use a dust brush in order to remove any built up dirt.
Many robotic vacuums have an inner drive wheel that will need to be cleaned, as well. Use a dust brush to clear dirt, debris, and hair, from this wheel. Make sure that you check all of the wheels thoroughly before you put them back on.
There are side brushes on some robotic vacuum cleaners that need to be cleaned from time to time. Take them off and rinse them with warm water. You can use a comb to get out any hair or other debris. Don’t reinstall the side brushes until they are completely dry.
Batteries
Batteries are something that you need to pay close attention to. If you take care of them correctly, you will minimize your costs, because batteries for cleaning robots are quite expensive.
Make sure you are doing everything that you can to maintain the batteries of the robot. Read the manual regarding how frequently to charge them. You may need to let them drain all the way before recharging.
Updating Firmware and Software
It is important that you stay in touch with the manufacturer of your robotic vacuum so that you are aware of any software updates that become available.
Many newer units have system controls as well as movement algorithms that may need to be updated from time to time.
Firmware may also need to be updated. Normally, this requires plugging your robot into a computer via a USB cable or similar.
Conclusion
Maintenance for a robotic vacuum is not that much different than maintenance of a regular vacuum.
The main difference is that you will need to be careful of the sensors and about using water on any of the parts as this could cause internal damage.
When it comes to a robotic vacuum, the main items to stay on top of including emptying the filter bin regularly, cleaning your brushes every month or so, and updating the software & firmware as necessary.
If you do these things, your cleaner will function the way that it should for many years.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about the best robot vacuums selling today, check out the following buying guides on this site:
- Best Robotic Vacuums for Any Type of Floor
- Best Roomba Vacuum Models Compared
- Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair and Allergies
Best of luck on your purchase!
