Aron and I have debated putting a robotic vacuum-like gadget on a wish-list pretty much every holiday since we moved in together nearly 10 years ago and joined our mutual dislike for household chores. So when iRobot offered to let us try the new iRobot Braava floor mopping system? Yes, please. Sign us up!
At first I was a little wary. The iRobot is a wet/dry sweeper, not a vacuum. Aron set it up while we watched an old Tom Cruise movie (you know, that one where he runs everywhere) and the jokes began. Me: “Oh, can you remember to do X and Y?” Him: “Sure—and I’ll clean the floors at the same time!” Pager goes off. Aron comes back from phone call to hospital. “I’m on call AND I’m cleaning the floors!”
There are two cleaning modes: damp and dry cleaning (you can use disposable cleaning cloths, including Swiffer brand, or Braava’s microfiber cloths). We ran it dry first. And because it was nighttime, we couldn’t immediately see the difference between the clean and dirty floors the way you can when the sunlight hits at those afternoon angles—and I worried it wasn’t working. But then it was so satisfying (and kind of gross!) when we picked it up and looked at dirty microfiber cloth. Sort of that icky satisfaction you get when you use one of those pore strips on your face, if you know what I mean. Kind of awesome!
Frankly, the fun we had watching Hudson and Sawyer investigate it the following day (especially when it ran under tight spaces) was kind of awesome, too. The quiet hum reminded me a little bit of the heavy, sleepy breaths Hudson takes when he’s sleeping. It was very unobtrusive.
We’re having the house cleaned before Thanksgiving, but between Hudson and the puppy and the fall winds, I’m looking forward to running this just before everyone comes over. And probably every night after that.
“Hey, I’m entertaining my toddler AND cleaning the floors.” AND watching Tom Cruise run.
Here are a few of my other favorite of its selling points, if you’re thinking of picking one up as a holiday gift:
• Cleans All Hard Floor Types: Braava works on all hard surface floors including tile, vinyl, hardwood and laminate.
• Tracks Where It Cleans: The NorthStar Navigation System works like an indoor GPS that helps Braava keep track of where it has been and where it needs to go. (There’s a little homebase cube: cleans up to 1,000 sq ft around dry, and 350 sq ft around damp.)
• Pause/Resume: The robot retains a map of its cleaning space so that you can replace the cleaning cloth mid-cycle and it won’t miss a spot.
Read more about the iRobot Braava
Thank you to iRobot for letting us give it a try and for sponsoring today’s post.
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