Have you bought a robot vacuum and are not entirely satisfied with cleaning your smart home? kwgeek has put together five tips for you to improve the cleaning efficiency of your robot vacuum without spending too much money.
Robot vacuums are getting more efficient and cheaper. While high-end models like the Roborock Q7 Max+ clean floors in most situations with high suction and advanced sweeping technology, budget models often leave hair and stains behind. Even with a longer lifespan, you should expect a drop in the quality of your robot vacuum.
That’s why the kwgeek editorial team has put together five tips to improve your robot vacuum’s cleaning performance. So before looking for a new model in our pick of the best robot vacuums, we recommend you try the tips below.
Tip 1: Storing and removing cables
Let’s start with a very obvious tip: While robot vacuums can remove dust and grime from floors, they can’t remove dirty socks or even chairs. That’s why it’s best to walk around the apartment before cleaning to see where the robot vacuum might get stuck.
Cables and objects should be removed before cleaning. / © kwgeek
If you’re prone to forgetting: Set an alarm before scheduled cleaning or use iOS and Android’s automation to get a reminder a few minutes before your robot vacuum starts.
Tip 2: Ensure adequate lighting
Another sign I found online that might seem odd at first glance: Many robot vacuums use optical sensors or cameras to clean. For example, the Yeedi 2 Hybrid, which I tested in 2021, costs less than 300 euros. With better lighting conditions, sensors and cameras can work better, and robots are less likely to get lost.
Another tip for connected home pros: You can automate here too. You can set connected lights (such as Philips Hue lights) to activate before the cleaning process.
Tip 3: Don’t Just Clean the Trash Can
As a robot vacuum cleaner, you probably clean the litter box on a regular basis. If not, you should definitely do this for models that don’t have a vacuum station (like the Roborock S7 Pro Ultra)! In addition to the litter box, you should also clean the casing of the robot vacuum itself. In effect, this is where the other sensors are, allowing the robot to locate itself in your apartment.
A cleaning brush or rag should also be cleaned. / © kwgeek
For example, the drop sensor on the bottom, designed to prevent your robot vacuum from falling down stairs. The upper sensor must also be frequently dusted. The cleaning brushes usually supplied with robot vacuums also help remove fine dust particles. Of course, the cleaning brush or scraper should also be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.
Tip 4: Understand the application and define the cleaning area
You probably know that your robot vacuum comes with an app to configure and control it. But you will definitely find features there that you don’t know yet. For example, most Roborock models offer you the possibility to define cleaning areas where the robot vacuum can increase suction power or use a squeegee to adjust cleaning.
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So if there’s a particular spot in the apartment that’s really dirty, you can clean it especially intensively. Check out our full robot vacuum review or explore the app yourself to see if there are any features you didn’t know about.
Tip 5: Add Your Own Cleaning Wipes
A clever trick found on the internet that works with many robot vacuums is to simply equip non-sweeping models with a cleaning pad. All you need is a suitable microfiber cloth and Velcro tape. The latter, available at DIY stores and online with tape, is just the variant you need.
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Then stick the “soft” side of the Velcro to your robot vacuum to avoid scratching or snagging on the carpet without a cleaning cloth. Then glue or sew the rough side to the cleaning fabric, you will need to cut a bit according to the pattern. Make sure no sensors are covered.
That’s all for this tutorial. Did you already know our tips and have you been able to improve the cleaning performance of your vacuum cleaner? What’s the secret to getting a more effective clean? Let us know in the comments!