Robot Vacuums That Mop
Robot vacuums are a hit due to the ease with which they can be used to tidy your home. And, as the old saying goes, time is money.
If you want to take things a step further, get a robot that also has the ability to mop. These 2-in-1 devices are equally effective in keeping floors clean.
1. They are more efficient
Robot vacuums that mop are able to clean floors more effectively than robot vacuum cleaners alone. They have sensors to detect the moment when the floor has become dirty and adjust the cleaning settings accordingly. They also can detect objects that might get caught in the brushes and are designed to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles. They're a great option for homes that have hard floors, which are difficult to clean.
In the lab tests conducted by CHOICE robot vacuums with mopping worked well for cleaning hard floors. They spray water on the floor, then scrub it with microfibres that are moistened in a tank of water at their base. The pads are easily replaced and reused. They can also be used on a variety of floor surfaces including laminate, hardwood and tiled kitchens. You only need to charge them with water, or add cleaning solutions to their tanks and remove and replace their mops frequently.
The top robotic mops have smart home integration and voice activation to make them even easier to use. They can be programmed to clean at a certain time, and a majority of them come with a docking station that will automatically return them for charging after they've finished.
However, robot mops that are programmed to run while you're away could still be in trouble. Just like a robot vacuum that goes in a wild manner, it can be stopped by small objects like shoelaces, pet toys and phone chargers. You'll still need to vacuum-proof your home and conduct periodic checks of the robots' dust bins to find the odd object that they might miss.
2. They are less expensive
Robot vacuums are great for general, automated cleaning. But, they don't get into all the corners and crevices. You still need to use a regular vacuum to get rid of dust and dirt that has accumulated in difficult-to-access places. Robot vacuums with mopping capabilities are an excellent solution. They can spray water and scrub floors for a more thorough job. They can be programmed to clean the floors when you are away or busy.
The good news is, most robot vacuums with mopping capabilities are less expensive than traditional mop. However, you will require an assortment of mop pads or cleaning pads (or a refill package) to ensure that the machine is running smoothly. Read the instructions of the manufacturer and make sure that you don't leave your pads or cloths wet for too long. Mildew can form on them.
It is also essential to ensure that the robot's compatibility with the flooring you have in your home. Different robots work better on different types of flooring, so you'll need to ensure that yours is compatible before you make an investment.
Most robot mops have an app that allows you save maps of your home as well as set schedules and select cleaning modes. Some models even have the ability to create a visual wall that can be used to block specific areas of your home from being cleaned, thereby keeping your floors protected from damage. Some models have an auto-emptying base which removes dust and debris when the device is docked to its charging station. This could help you save time and prevent the necessity to empty the dustbin after each cleaning session.
3. It is more convenient
A robot vacuum that can also mop is a useful addition to any Smart Home device collection, especially those who have multiple floors and don't want to spend too much time doing housekeeping. These cleaning machines enable users to save around 35 hours in a year that they could have spent mopping and sweeping each day.
In our tests in the lab, we found that the majority of robot mops have some kind of dry cleaning feature that either sweeps with dry pads or utilizes suction to remove dust from small spaces. Some models can be used on rugs as well as hardwood floors, ensuring that your home tidy and free of allergens.
Some robotic vacuums have sensors that can detect the kind of flooring they are on and adjust their cleaning modes in accordance with the floor. Other models can detect obstacles or change cleaning modes. They are generally easy to set up and maintain, requiring only charging, emptying the water tank and removing or replacing the pads for cleaning (or reused ones). For maximum convenience, look for a model with app integration that allows you to save your house's maps and customize areas for cleaning, schedule cleaning and check cleaning progress from any location in the world.
However, be aware that although these devices are excellent at automated cleaning, they are not a substitute for traditional vacuums. They can leave corners or nooks that need to be swept up by a broom and a dustpan. It is still necessary to use your regular vacuum on a regular basis, especially if you have high-pile carpets or a large amount of furniture. vacuum mop robot should also remove the mopping pads or cloths frequently and let them air dry in between mopping sessions. Bacteria thrive in moist environments.
4. They are more environmentally friendly
Robot vacuums do an excellent job cleaning off dry debris, but they're not so good in removing liquid spills and stains. Robots that can clean spills and stains are more useful than separate devices. They also can work on different floor types which is essential for a home that has floors that are mixed. In my tests, I found that the Bissell SpinWave Robotic Vacuuming and Mopping Machine could get rid of all types of stains and mess, including cereal spills and dog vomit from carpets with low pile.
The iRobot Combo j7+, another robot that can vacuum and mop, is also an excellent example. Its mapping feature allows it to keep track of the arrangement of a room from one cleaning to the next, and make sure it avoids walls and stairs. It can also create virtual boundaries and barriers that block off rooms to stop it from running into obstacles or furniture.
Although it's not equipped with the advanced mapping capabilities of some other models, this Yeedi robot impressed us during home testing. It's simple to use, and it excels at moving through a pre-mapped area while keeping clear of obstacles. You can even modify the map within the app to make modifications such as blocking off areas that don't need to be cleaned.
You can create your own cleaning solution using the robot vacuum. However, it's best to stick with the brand-specific products offered by most brands. If you use a cleaner that is not brand-name it could damage the internal hardware and invalidate your warranty. You should also clean the sensor brushes and replace the filter on a regular basis to prevent hair, dirt or other debris getting stuck in their.
5. The more flexible they are
Robot vacuums are great at picking up dirt and debris from difficult-to-access areas of your floors, but there are places and corners they aren't able to reach. That's where a robot mop that also vacuums is useful. The best robot mops and vacuum/mop combinations will detect the type of flooring they're cleaning and adjust their settings accordingly. They will automatically swapping dirty pads for clean ones, and even self-empty their trash bins or water tanks to save you the hassle of going to the garbage bin.
The majority of the latest robot mop models available come with an app. This allows you to create an image of the floor plan of your house, set up automated cleaning schedules and monitor when maintenance is required for example, the replacement of a filter. Find a robot that has basic software, without confusing icons and menus.
The majority of models CHOICE tested could be used for up to three hours before returning to their charging docks, however, if you'd like to have your cleaning machine to run while you're away, it's worth looking into a hybrid mop that has a long battery life. If you're worried about furniture being scuffed by a robot cleaner, choose one with virtual walls to stop it from hitting furniture or other items.
Robotic mops may use disposable or reusable mopping pads which you'll need to change often. If you choose a model that uses pads that are reusable, make sure to wash them frequently and let them dry between uses. Otherwise, they could start to smell mildewy or develop bacteria.