I’m In Love!

That headline probably caught your attention! I’m serious — I’m in love with Bob. He’s a little robot vacuum that has genuinely changed my daily life. I didn’t expect to be this enthusiastic, but after living with Bob I can’t imagine not having one around.

Before you think this is gossip about anyone’s love life, let me explain. About ten years ago I was sick on the couch and happened to be watching a shopping channel. They were showing a robotic vacuum called a Roomba. I laughed at first — it seemed like a gimmick — and I was skeptical that a small robot could actually clean well.

Fast forward eight years and I’m eating my words. I finally ordered a Roomba to help out a friend’s family who were struggling with allergies; I’d heard that daily vacuuming helps reduce allergens. The return policy gave me two months to try it, and I decided to test it myself before passing it along.

The first night I couldn’t stop watching the little machine. I was stunned at how effectively it cleaned. It got into corners and under furniture where my upright vacuum never reached, ran right up to baseboards, and scooped up dust bunnies from under the bed. My floors hadn’t looked that good in ages.

The next day I had to show my neighbor. We stood there, fascinated, as Bob worked. When we checked the floor after he finished, it literally sparkled. She wanted one for herself and her parents immediately. That was two years ago. Bob is still going strong, and the people I told about him — my neighbor, my parents, my in-laws — all ended up loving theirs too. Every time I visit my dad, he thanks me for getting one for them because it’s helped my mom a lot.

If you’re very sick or caring for elderly relatives, a robotic vacuum is a worthwhile investment if you can afford it. I don’t usually push products and I’m not being paid to write this. I just wanted to share how well this little helper has worked for me.

My Questions And Answers

Does the Roomba clean hardwood floors?

Yes. I originally worried it might not suit hardwood, but it transitions smoothly from rugs to hardwood and cleans much better than a Swiffer or mop. I test with a white cloth afterward and haven’t noticed any residue or film left behind. It works well on most floor types.

Do I have to move everything out of its path?

No. The Roomba slows near delicate furniture and skirts around objects instead of forcefully bumping into them. You don’t need to clear an entire room first, though removing very small items helps.

What about stairs?

No problem — there’s a sensor that detects steps, so the Roomba approaches the edge and turns away safely. I use it regularly near stairways without worry.

Can I run it when I’m not home?

Yes. Many people schedule a cleaning before leaving for work and come back to freshly vacuumed floors. It’s convenient to set up and let it run on its own.

Why “Bob”?

For some reason many owners name their Roombas. Maybe it’s because it communicates status messages or simply because the robot feels like a tiny helpful companion. It’s user-friendly and easy to operate.

Any cons?

There are a few minor drawbacks. You need to clean the brushes every few uses, which takes ten minutes or so. That’s still far less effort than hauling out a heavy vacuum. The first time I cleaned the brushes I was unsure, but the instructions are clear and the parts pop in and out easily once you’ve done it a couple of times. Another commonly mentioned issue is trouble on very dark or black surfaces; in my experience Bob handled most dark areas fine, but he did avoid a solid black throw rug I had.

Where did I buy mine?

Shop around for the best price. I purchased mine from a shopping channel during a special that included extra accessories — my unit cost about $265. There are cheaper models and more feature-rich models, so compare features and pricing to find the right balance for your needs.

An unexpected bonus

One surprise has been the mental boost I get from watching Bob work. While he’s cleaning the living room, I’m motivated to tackle other tasks like washing dishes or quick tidying. It feels like two jobs are getting done at once. Once, when I had to leave town at short notice around Christmas, I set Bob loose while I packed and wiped down surfaces — by the time I finished, the floors were vacuumed too. On another day I even found myself telling a friend I’d been “cleaning like crazy” while Bob quietly handled most of the work — it made me laugh when I realized what I meant.

I truly don’t think anything else has changed my cleaning habits and made my life easier the way Bob has.

— Jill

photo by: eiriknewth