You head out for the day, confident that your robot vacuum will automatically whisk away all the dust and pet hair while you’re gone, so you can return home to a pristine carpet and the happy feeling of a clean home. All this is done automatically on a predetermined schedule so you don’t even have to think about it. That’s the robo-vac fantasy.

Actually, you are very likely to come home to something completely different.

For one thing, you have a very good chance of being greeted by a robotic voice saying “Error! Clear the wheels, then press the button.” Or any of five dozen other error messages, because your robotic cleaner will get stuck somewhere, run out of battery life, or have a pad actuator issue at least half the time you use it.

Leave the lights on for its sensors, use buffer strips, or set ups no-go zones on the app to reduce the percentage. Also be sure to keep your robo-vac clean.

Effectiveness

Even if your robotic made it all through the assignment without getting its side wheels caught somewhere, you probably won’t get a pristine carpet. Robot vacuums have just about half the suction power of a regular vacuum cleaner. One Australian study concluded that they clean carpets only 37% on average. Some models only managed 20%.

And this was a study of new robot vacuum cleaners. They all require a lot of maintenance, and will be even less effective if you don’t keep up with their needs. That may include not only removing and cleaning brushes and side wheels, but also replacing worn parts. Without that upkeep, your robovac won’t perform as well.

And of course sometimes they seem to get drunk.

Most robovac owners don’t give up their regular vacuum cleaners. They tend to use the automated one in between human vacuuming sessions, or to follow up on robot vacuuming with a handheld vacuum.

Longevity

Most robot vacuums have a warranty of just one year, and they tend to quit working after that year. Regular vacuum cleaners are less expensive than robovacs and don’t need to be replaced as often.

A brand-name robotic vacuum cleaner can easily cost $1,000 or more. If you buy a top-of-the-line robot vacuum every year, you will pay very close to the cost of a monthly cleaning by a professional house cleaner.

Of course, your cleaner will do a lot more than vacuum.

Contact A Beautiful Day cleaning to learn more!