This is my robot-maid: iRobot Roomba – Vacuum Cleaning Robot

The dreams of having your house chores done for you with out someone else actually roaming your space is, at least in part, no longer wishful thinking. With so much to be done every single day wouldn’t it be nice if the largest surface area of our homes was to clean itself? Well, floors may not clean themselves but today there is a tool that does it for you!

iRobot Roomba is a vacuum cleaning robot. All it takes is a push of a button and some minor preparations for dust free floors!

What does it come with?

Roomba comes equipped with a rechargeable battery pack, 2 filters, virtual wall, and Roomba cleaning accessories. As with any battery operated gadget, it should be fully charged prior to use and as any vacuum cleaner it should be cleaned out after each use. The cleaning accessories included make it easy to remove any hairs or carpet threads stuck in the brush, making sure it runs well. Virtual walls can be put in place to let your Roomba know where not to go.

How does it work?

The answer to this question, quiet simply is …great!

Clean Mode – “ Roomba automatically calculates the room size and adjusts its cleaning time appropriately (iRobot Roomba Owner’s Manual).”

It covers different floor sections multiple times. It has a cute little ‘helper brush’ which sweeps dust and dirt in front of itself. This little ‘helper brush’ also does a great job of sweeping under doorways and other spaces where dust particles can hide. My Robot, …I mean iRobot has no problem climbing onto carpets, therefore covering both carpeted and non carpeted areas of the floor. It is not tall so it can easily fit under many couches, beds, armoires, and other potential obstacles.

Spot Mode – “Roomba will spiral approximately three feet in diameter and then spiral back to where it started, intensely cleaning a localized area (iRobot Roomba Owner’s Manual).” I find this mode helpful when faced with localized, accidental dirt issues.

Prep-work

Preparing the space for Roomba is quick, simple, and painless. Personally, I like to turn the chairs over onto tables, but this is not a necessity. Roomba can get between the legs for a thorough clean. Close the doors or put up virtual walls to let Roomba know where not to go. Remove any big items off the floors, if you happen to have carpets with tassels fold them under the carpet, and let your Roomba do the work!

Results & Recommendations

Duration of cleaning time will depend on the room size, however, within the hour, for a large room, Roomba will have your space spotless! Although not very loud, it is best to let your Roomba do the work while you are out. Prep the space for cleaning, press the button, and get on your merry way.

Advantages:

1. Robot does the work for you.
2. More free time to devote to other things
3. Removal of allergy causing dust particles – although iRobot Roomba filters are not HEPA filters famous for their allergy reducing abilities, I find that my indoor allergies have subsided since Roomba entered my life (most probably because it vacuums more often than I used to).
4. Cost effective – Having clean floors, the largest surface in your home, reduces the need for cleaning help. We’ve all heard that saying Time is Money, by saving you time I guess…Roomba saves you money? Or helps you make more of it by allowing you to spend your time…writing in my case…instead of vacuuming! What a deal!
5. Tough on dirt and gentle on (even hardwood) floors

What are you waiting for? Do the Roomba!