Robot vacuum cleaners are bagless but have a dust cup that should be emptied at intervals. The different models have clear instructions on how to empty the dust cup, however, the frequency is determined by the level of usage. So, how often should you empty a robot vacuum?
Robot vacuums should be emptied after every cleaning routine because of the small size of the dust cup. The cup is easy to remove and replace. Advanced robot vacuums feature a self disposal mechanism. A full dust cup reduces suction power, might litter your home, and affects overall vacuum performance. It is also recommended cleaning the dust cup at least once a month with a dry cloth or any recommended material by the manufacturer to remove dust.
Proper maintenance of your robot vacuum cleaner extends its lifespan and guarantees maximum performance across all floor types. Unlike bigger and manual vacuum cleaners, robot vacuums require unique maintenance. The sensors, filters, side brushes, and wheels are all components that also require constant maintenance.
HOW TO EMPTY A ROBOT VACUUM
Every robot vacuum model has a guide on how to empty the dust cup. It’s usually simple. Simply eject the dust cup by pressing the bin release button and empty the content into a tightly sealed trash bag outside your house. When you’re done, replace the dust cup and make sure it is tightly fitted to the robot vacuum to avoid debris spilling into the vacuum itself.
A self-emptying robot vacuum, on the other hand, doesn’t require as much physical intervention. The system comes with a dock that charges the robot vacuum and extracts dirt and debris into a much bigger bag. This bag is tightly sealed, so it poses no threat to your health or that of everyone around you. However, you’ll have to empty the base station once a month, depending on your cleaning routine.
The self-emptying robot vacuum is preferable as owners no longer have to worry about daily disposal. This improves robot vacuum efficiency and allows owners to go about their productive routines. Simply schedule a daily cleaning routine for your vacuum cleaner without being in contact with the dirty dust cup for up to 30 days at a time.
Owning a self-emptying robot vacuum also means more cleaning. Since robot vacuums are small, cleaning large areas would be time-consuming and would require constant disposal. However, because itself empties, you can schedule a full house cleaning at a time. And don’t worry about the battery, as it’ll also charge as the dock.
Manual Disposal versus Self Emptying Vacuum
But the superior advantages of these vacuums come at a higher price. You can buy a normal robot vac for as low as $129 but self-emptying units can be as high as $800. The price difference is huge but it surely delivers. The risk of contacting allergens is eliminated but power usage is increased.
Individuals living in smaller apartments will get maximum value with normal robot vacuums. No need to buy an expensive self-emptying system. Cleaning your apartment wouldn’t consume much time and the device costs less. But larger apartments will benefit from self-emptying robot vacuums. Simply schedule a full house cleaning and go about your day being busy and productive.
MAINTENANCE GUIDE FOR ROBOT VACUUMS
Simply emptying the dust bag is not enough maintenance for a robot vacuum. You need to clean the brushes, filters, sensors and lasers, and wheels. All-round maintenance plus daily disposal extends lifespan and guarantees optimal performance. So, what is the maintenance guide for robot vacuums?
Clean Sensors and Lasers
Robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with sensors and lasers that help them navigate your home and map out cleaning areas. They also prevent damage to the robot vac by evading collisions and falls. However, keeping them clean is the only way to guarantee maximum functionality.
Moving around your home and sucking up dirt covers the sensors in dust thereby disrupting signals. This may cause it to malfunction or enter restricted areas. Dirty sensors also cause collisions and drops, and eventually damage.
Clean Filters
Robot vacuums are equipped with filters to remove allergens and to prevent dirt from entering the main compartment. There are different types of vacuum filters, and each one has a specific maintenance pattern. Paper filters should be kept away from water and replaced once damaged. Reusable filters should be cleaned at least once a week with a hose pipe or wet cloth.
Brush Maintenance
Hair can get stuck inside the brush, thereby reducing mobility and performance. Since the vacuum brushes are constantly in contact with dirt and debris, they are easily entangled and may reduce cleaning performance. Advanced robot cleaners are equipped with a special brush or blade for removing wrapped hair. However, using a knife or other efficient materials has yielded better results.
Wheel Maintenance
Damaged wheels will scratch hardwood floors and reduce the mobility of robot vacuum. This causes the machine to use more power than usual. Debris can get stuck in the wheel’s cavity or axle, thereby disrupting movement. Most robot vac wheels are detachable. Using a knife, remove the wheel and dust it, or use an object to remove stuck debris. Also, check the working condition of the wheel. If it’s damaged, you’ll have to replace it with a new one.
Professional Maintenance
If your robot vac has smeared your house with dirt, then check the dust cup to see if it’s full and empty it. However, if there is still enough space to house more dirt and debris, then dismember the components and inspect them one by one. However, if you’re a tech novice, then hire a professional to inspect the robot vac.
BENEFITS OF USING A ROBOT VACUUM
While emptying your dust cup and cleaning the filter every week might seem like a daunting task, using a robot vacuum has several advantages that have attracted many users over the years. Why should you buy a robot vacuum cleaner?
Efficiency
Although small, robot vacuums have a high suction power for picking up large debris. Equipped with the latest technology, robot vac performance has improved over the years, with their price coming down to facilitate affordability. Advanced units have long-lasting batteries to clean a large room on a single charge.
Ease Of Use
This is arguably the most attractive benefit of owning a robot vacuum. Programmable and designed to clean without human supervision. Owners can schedule a cleaning routine from their smartphones or the device itself. They also self-charge, so you don’t need to plug the device yourself. It’ll find its dock to recharge itself when the battery is low and continue cleaning after a full charge.
Saves Time
Robot vacs are fully automated and efficient devices that do the dirty job without much external struggle. Owners can perform more important chores or conduct business while their robot vac takes care of the house.
Intelligent Technology
Robot vacuums are equipped with sensors that prevent the device from hitting walls and falling off high surfaces. You can also program a virtual boundary to prevent the robot vac from going into other rooms or damaging valuable properties. For example, robot vacs can damage cables and wires. So placing a boundary around your cables prevents your robot vac from climbing over it.
Easy Storage
Lastly, robot vacuums can be easily stored anywhere in your home. Unlike bigger vacuums that need a dedicated space for storage, robot vacs are fine with any space at all. However, don’t keep it in wet or high areas to prevent quick damage.
The general instructions for emptying a robot vacuum cleaner do not apply to everyone. If you use your robot vac often and clean larger areas, then empty it every day. However, if you use it sparingly, then 2 to 3 days is okay. But notwithstanding your scenario, always empty the robot vac on time to guarantee optimal performance.