Do Robot Vacuum Cleaner Damage Floors (And How to Prevent It)?

Gone are the days of manually vacuuming and mopping for hours. Today’s advanced cleaning technology offers hands-free options to keep our places clean, such as robot vacuums, which come in various budgets, features, and levels of 'smartness'.

Despite their convenience, concerns arise about potential damage, such as scratches on floors or harm to furniture. After all, what’s the point of investing in one if it poses a threat to our homes? Luckily, advanced models like ECOVACS' DEEBOTs are designed to minimize these risks. Let's examine the impact of robotic vacuum cleaners on different flooring types, especially wood and vinyl floors, to decide if they are a safe investment for hassle-free cleaning.

Do Robot Vacuum Scratch Floors?

No, robot vacuum cleaners don't scratch floors due to their sophisticated obstacle avoidance technology and the materials used like rubber brushes and chenille fabric mops. It's important to understand what could potentially scratch the floors. Robot floor cleaners interact with grounds through their brushes and wheels; when it comes to delicate flooring like wood floors and vinyl floors, stiff materials can leave marks easily. Another concern is that automatic vacuums could snag objects and scratch surfaces as they move.

However, such incidents are rare since smart vacuums alert users when they are stuck. Advanced models like ECOVACS’ DEEBOT X2 Family are equipped with AI-powered AIVI 3D 2.0 for accurate obstacle avoidance, recognising up to 30 different types of obstacles¹, and TrueMapping 3.0 technology for efficient path mapping. Thanks to these features, robot vacuums with mops, are gentle on various materials, like wood, vinyl, and hardwood floors, leaving them clean without any scratches.

Best DEEBOT Smart Vacuums That Won’t Scratch Floors

At ECOVACS, the DEEBOT smart vacuum series is designed to provide powerful cleans. Protecting your floors is equally prioritized, with soft, non-abrasive brushes and rubber wheels installed. Here are three notable models to consider and why:

DEEBOT X2 OMNI

As the latest model of the DEEBOT series, DEEBOT X2 OMNI sets a new standard for floor care. Other than gentle brushes and rubber wheels, its integration of Dual-Laser LiDAR technology with AINA model ensures precision in navigation, effortlessly handling complex indoor environments. To prevent any accidental floor scraping, the automatic vacuum cleaner's AI-powered AIVI 3D 2.0 feature enables it to "learn" and "think" with its advanced RGBD sensor, identifying and skilfully avoiding obstacles. Its slim, square design, at only 32cm in diameter and 9.5cm tall, also allows it to glide underneath sofas and beds smoothly, safeguarding any harm against furniture.

Features to prevent floor scratches:

● Material:All-rubber Main Brush & Wheels

● Navigation:Semi Solid State LiDAR

● Obstacle Avoidance:RGBD

DEEBOT T20 OMNI

Equipped with the TrueDetect 3D 3.0 mapping technology, DEEBOT T20 OMNI uses real-time 3D scanning and detection to strategically avoid potential hazards such as small toys and wires, when paired with rubber wheels and soft brushes, it can prevent scratches on the surface. Its optimal TrueMapping 2.0 technology conducts an accurate 360° scan of the home environment, upgrading its mapping capabilities. Furthermore, this model features an auto-lift mopping function, which utilizes ultrasonic sound to identify carpeted flooring in the house. This system raises the mopping plates when a carpet is detected, keeping your carpet clean and safe from water damage.

Features to prevent floor scratches:

● Material:All-rubber Main Brush & Wheels

● Navigation:TrueMapping 2.0

● Obstacle Avoidance:TrueDetect 3D

DEEBOT X1 OMNI

Like its counterparts, the DEEBOT X1 OMNI is designed to protect the grounds using advanced AIVI 3D autopilot technology and TrueMapping 2.0 for efficient navigation and obstacle avoidance. What’s more, this self-cleaning vacuum, also with rubber wheels and non-abrasive brushes, provides a totally hands-free cleaning experience with its all-in-one OMNI station. This multifunctional docking station automatically cleans mop cloths, refills water, empties the dustbin into a 3L disposable bag, and dries the mopping pad to prevent bacteria and odour. This ensures a clean without leftover residues like tiny, sharp objects, protecting even the durable hardwood floors from any potential damage or scratches.

Features to prevent floor scratches:

● Material:All-rubber Main Brush & Wheels

● Navigation:TrueMapping 2.0

● Obstacle Avoidance:AIVI 3D

How To Prevent Robot Vacuum To Damage Floors?

To protect your non-scratch-proof floors effectively, including wood, vinyl and hardwood, let’s first look at the factors that could cause damages. When shopping for robotic vacuum cleaners, consider the brush type as stiff brushes may scratch delicate surfaces. Opt for high-quality models with soft brushes and rubbery wheels that are gentle on all floor types, while advanced sensors assist smooth navigation around obstacles.

Next, objects that are stuck in the wheels and brushes may damage its internal components and could possibly scratch your ground when it moves. Set up your home properly before starting the cleaning session: this doesn't mean you should vacuum manually first; simply remove anything that might get caught in the wheels, especially small, hard, and sharp objects like metal nails and Lego pieces.

Another issue is the lack of maintenance – which is also the cause of other issues such as robot vacuum keep stopping. Not cleaning the vacuum regularly allows debris to build up, which may eventually cause scratches or dents. Cleaning the brushes and emptying the dustbin to protect the surfaces and lengthen its lifespan. Too busy to keep up? Self-cleaning vacuums, like DEEBOTs with OMNI station, offer hassle-free maintenance by automatically cleaning the vacuum, with dust bags that last up to 60 days².

While some robot floor cleaners may risk bumping into furniture, ECOVACS DEEBOTs feature the latest navigation and obstacle avoidance technologies, such as LiDAR and AI-powered sensors, ensuring your furniture and floors are efficiently protected.

FAQ

Disclaimer(s):

1. 30 types of obstacles: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory.
2. 60 days: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The large 3L disposable dust bag can be used for up to 60 days. Actual results may vary according to the home environment.