Modern Technology Saves Time with Housecleaning

By Kristi Patrice Carter

Modern conveniences are making housecleaning less of a chore. Throw out your old smelly mop and kick your mother’s ancient vacuum to the curb. With some new gadgets, you can kick up your feet and watch them work for you.

At about $200, iRobot’s Roomba can seem a bit steep in price. But consider how much effort the one-time purchase will save you, cutting back on your vacuuming needs. This little space-age looking disc moves around your room, vacuuming up dust, pet hair and even leaves without your needing to push it around.

Drawbacks besides cost? Roomba can’t get deep into corners, according to some reviews, but is great under furniture where you can’t reach with the vacuum. (Ever wonder what other than dust bunnies lurk under that 10-year-old china closet that hasn’t been moved? Ewww.) However, it’s adored for daily and weekly maintenance. Other drawbacks are its limited settings, which only include flooring and medium ply carpeting. Apparently, it can even struggle with medium ply. (It vacuums the area well, according to reviews, but has difficulty moving along.) Area rugs with fringe also may cause issue, though there are directions included as to how to make it more efficient.

Roomba needs 4 inches of clearance, so it may not get under the couch. You’ll need to Roomba-proof areas that have lots of cords (put something on top of them so Roomba bounces off.) Roomba also needs a little attention to work properly. Wash the filters out under the faucet. Use an air can to make sure its innards stay clean and check that hair hasn’t been caught up in its mechanism. With just a little required upkeep including charging it correctly and using it often, your intelligent vacuum can save you from the daily vacuuming chore. Most reviewers tout the fact that they can turn on the Roomba and go work out at the gym while the little robot sucks up dirt, hair and dust on your floors. Not only that, but with the extra purchase of a scheduler option, you can program Roomba to vacuum the floors while you’re away. Those with pets and allergies, as well as neat freaks, appear to really enjoy their purchase. Not a bad way to spend $200.

Like Roomba, Scooba, also by iRobot, is a hard floor sweeping, scrubbing, cleaning electronic item that also dries your floors. Wherever you would mop, you would use Scooba. It can also be programmed to stay within a certain space. Because it retails at around $350 to $400, however, it doesn’t seem to yet generate near the enthusiasm as Roomba. Time will tell.

Somewhat similar, though it cannot move by itself, Bissell’s SpotBot can be placed on a dirty stain of carpet and will scrub and continue to clean the stain without you present. However, it won’t rush off to find other stains. You have to locate them for it. For those with kids or pets, its ability to conquer fruit juice and pet accident stains can be a blessing. At about $125, SpotBot is easily portable and reviews are especially positive by those who own sloppy pets.

Some of these new space-age cleaning items would make great gifts for newlyweds, new parents, working couples or anyone who needs just a few less minutes doing chores and a few more minutes having fun. Speaking of fun…it’s even fun watching these gizmos do their jobs!