Pet fur here. Pet hair there. Pet fur, pet hair, everywhere! Between two cats and a dog, I have a lot of fur in my house. I don’t know about you, but I have very little time to stay on top of the vacuuming. As much as I love my Filter Queen, sorry Queen! I’m trading you in!  I’ve been looking a lot at the iRobot Roomba vacuums, but I didn’t really know where to start, what to look for, or which one to get. So, I did a little research and thought I’d share some valuable information with you.  Please note that I do not personally endorse iRobot. It just happens to be the most popular device on the market, and I’m looking for the best, most reliable cleaning partner to help me save some time!  How perfect is it that some of these devices even come with map reports and cleaning preferences so that you have control of how well it cleans, right in the palm of your hand?!!!

When looking for the best type of iRobot Roomba device, be sure to buy one that is appropriate for the type of fur/hair your pet(s) sheds, and it should be able to effectively clean stains, fur/hair, and bad odours left behind by your pet(s).

Other Things to Consider:

Type of Flooring

The first thing to consider is the type of flooring that you will be using your Roomba on. The cleaning heads will automatically adjust, regardless of the flooring. However, if you have carpet, it would be worth it to invest in a model that is better suited for carpet as it will have a feature that will automatically ramp up the cleaning power when it hits the carpet.

The Volume of the Machine

The machine should have the ability to remove those hard-to-clean stains and powerful smells that pets leave behind, which means it must have a powerful motor. A powerful motor will yield better results and be more effective on thick carpet.

The Size of the Water Tank

Definitely consider the size of the water tank. I have a steam cleaner that works well, but the water tank is pretty small. It’s a bit inconvenient to constantly have to stop to refill the water tank. Deal breaker? Not really, but definitely something I’ll be looking at.

Some Features to Consider

Cleaning. What features do you want in a good vacuum? I know I want one that’s reliable, convenient, has a good filtration system and the appropriate brush attachments for varying carpet height. A higher end Roomba will have higher air power, which will be stronger to remove the embedded dirt and pet fur/hair.

Self-charging. Most Roombas will automatically return to their docking station when they’re running low on power, but will not return to cleaning once fully charged. You will have to set it to go back to cleaning. However, there are some of the higher end Roombas that will return to the docking station to recharge, then go back to cleaning, picking-up where it left off, on its own once it’s fully charged.

Made for pet fur. Of course, having furry pets you will want to choose a Roomba that works well to vacuum pet fur/hair without jamming, clogging or missing most of it. Something with a tangle-free roller is a must! A tangle-free roller will help lift pet fur, hair, and other debris without the roller getting all tangled up. It will also keep the device working more efficiently and help to prevent it from stalling.

Automated shutoff. Definitely ensure that it has this feature so that it shuts off once the tank is full with debris or dirty water.

High efficiency filter. One thing I love about my Filter Queen is the filter system. A machine with a strong filter helps to reduce allergens in the environment. It also helps to filter out pollens and microscopic particles, which significantly reduces the dander in your home. Even if you don’t have allergies, it will help to keep the air clean and comfortable for when your allergy suffering guests that may pop in from time to time.

Multi-room cleaningIf you have a home that is more of a closed concept with multiple rooms, this is a good feature. This feature has responsive navigation and sensors allowing the device to freely move around walls and furniture and still clean efficiently.

A Couple More Things to Take in to Consideration

Battery Life

It is advisable to keep in mind the lifespan of the battery. Knowing how long it will clean for before it has to return to the charging station is important. You will have to factor in the size of your home, number of rooms, and how many different surfaces. All these things will affect the lifespan of each charge.

The Cost of the Device

Although any type of vacuum can be costly, I’m a true believer in “you get what you pay for”.  I have had my Filter Queen for well over 20 years, and it’s not dying anytime soon. At the time, I paid $1,500 for it. Thought I was crazy, but it was well worth the investment.  Remember, when purchasing a device for your home, you want something that is going to be efficient and effective at keeping your home pet fur/hair free and the floors and carpets looking great. Be sure to do your research, weighing the cost over time and taking in to consideration how much it will cost to replace or fix the device should it break down.

Nowadays, everything is about saving time and our pets have become such a large part of the family. The reality is, pets come with responsibility and cleaning up after our pets is one of them.  Pets will make a mess and we need the proper tools to keep our homes clean and odour free. Please be sure to do your research whether you get a Roomba, steam cleaner or any other type of vacuum or cleaning device.  Invest the time and the money to avoid disappointment and to keep your home clean and comfortable for you and your furry friend(s).

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