Have you bought a Roomba i7? Learn the top Roomba i7 tips and tricks to keep it running smoothly!
If you’ve ever watched the Jetsons, you may have been jealous that the family has a personal cleaning robot. Fortunately, now that we’re living in the future, having a robot clean up your messes is not so far-fetched.
I recently joined the robot-owning revolution by getting a Roomba. The company has made some significant advances since the original, so I upgraded to the i7. While this vacuum is far better than its predecessors, it still needs a helping hand from time to time.
Here are the top tips and tricks to help your Roomba i7 work more efficiently.
1. Pick Up Clutter
One of the biggest issues with robot vacuums is that they’re built to get into small spaces. Because of their slim profile, they can get tripped up pretty easily. All it takes is an errant cord, shoe, or sock to act as a barrier that the Roomba won’t cross.
While the i7 does manage obstacles better than other models, it won’t do a good job cleaning if it has to work around tons of discarded items. So, before I run my Roomba, I make sure to pick up the clutter off the floor. The added benefit of doing this is that the machine will clean each room even faster.
2. Use The Training Run Feature
The i7 has a “training run” feature to map out your home without cleaning anything. I highly recommend using this function so that it will work more efficiently on its first cleaning operation. This feature also helps it figure out problem areas, such as corners, tables, or area rugs.
3. Use The Virtual Wall Feature
My house doesn’t have steps, so I don’t have to worry about my Roomba committing suicide by accident. However, I still use the virtual wall feature to keep it out of rooms where there are too many hazards for it to be effective.
If you do have stairs, the i7 is pretty good about avoiding them, but a virtual wall will help ease any worries you might have. To use the wall, just place the sensor device at the opening of a room or stairway. The best part is that you can move the wall as necessary.
4. Clean And De-Tangle The Brushes
I was impressed by how well the i7 handled messes like pet hair and dried dirt. However, there is a limit to how well it can operate. As with all robot vacuum brushes, you have to clean and maintain them.
If you don’t have pets, you can probably do this every couple of months. If you have dogs (like I do), once a month is ideal.
What happens is that the hair starts to get twisted around the brush, which makes the vacuum work harder to achieve the same effect. So, not only will it not clean as well as it used to, it will run out of battery life faster.
5. Be Patient With It
The Roomba i7 is a learning robot, meaning that the more times it goes through your house, the better it gets at cleaning it. So, if you notice a few missed spots at first, don’t get discouraged. Just send it out a few more times, and it should improve regularly.
One way to help facilitate the Roomba’s adaptation is to place obstacles in different rooms purposefully. This method ensures that it will have to find new ways around the space, making it learn faster.
6. Watch The Roomba The First Time
Whether you decide to use the training feature or not, you should follow your Roomba around its first (and possibly second) time out. While the i7 does work on most surfaces, it can have trouble with loose area rugs or high-pile carpeting. Also, if your rug is a dark color (i.e., black), the sensors can think that it’s a drop-off and avoid it.
By following your Roomba, you can make a note of these potential issues and adapt accordingly. For example, if it struggles with getting underneath the dining room table, perhaps you can lean the chairs before setting the vacuum loose.
7. Clean the Charger and Disposal Station Often
One of the best features I like about the Roomba i7 is that it returns to its docking base and discharges its container automatically. I love that I don’t have to clean the machine every time manually. That said, don’t assume that you can leave it alone forever.
The dustbin will get pretty nasty over time, and the more dirt that stays in there, the less the vacuum can pick up on the next run. The charging station also needs a good once-over every few months or so. If the connecting port gets dirty or dusty, the Roomba doesn’t charge as efficiently, leading to issues with the battery life.
8. Use It Daily For Pet Hair And Dander
The primary reason I got a Roomba i7 is that I hate cleaning up pet hair all the time. While this vacuum isn’t good for deep cleaning, it works wonders as a daily vacuum. I set it to clean while I’m at work, and I rarely have to pick up pet hair anymore.
Before, I would vacuum weekly, but now that I have the Roomba taking care of the day-to-day stuff, I only deep clean manually once a month. Isn’t that the whole point of having a robot anyway? Don’t worry about overworking it – the Roomba can take it.
The Final Word On Roomba i7 Tips And Tricks
Overall, robot vacuums aren’t miracle workers. If you expect your Roomba to leave your house spotless with minimal maintenance, you don’t know what you’re getting. By following these tips and tricks, you can get more out of your robot and keep your house cleaner. Jetsons, eat your heart out.