I Tried an Electronic Vacuum, and It Changed My Life
Like many millennials, cleaning has never been a fun chore or a stress reliever for yours truly. Wiping down windows? Dusting a bookshelf? Doing dishes? No, thank you. It's not for me.
Unfortunately (yet fortunately), I can't get any work done or relax unless my place is spotless and organized. And so, I often spend a considerable amount of time cleaning my apartment. My friends appreciate my spotless space, former roommates adore my cleanliness, and my parents often are confused, "Why couldn't you have been so tidy growing up?"
Until recently, one thing that I definitely spent too much time on, for way too long, was vacuuming my floors. As an adult who prides herself on being independent and efficient, I found that hauling a huge vacuum around my small space wasn't just annoying, it was torture. Never mind the fact that I was replacing bags and having to store a monstrosity of a machine in my tiny abode (that has very little storage to begin with), I was getting a second workout while I was striding through my bedroom and living room, lunging to reach foreign spaces. Ultimately, a shower would be required after sweating through a simple routine.
After years of this silliness, I got a Samsung POWERbot R7065 Robot Vacuum ($600). Instantly, I boldly decided: I'm never going back to a traditional vacuum. My life was changed. Keep reading to see how a simple change in my cleaning routine enhanced my space, my time, my apartment's sanitation, and even my mood.
Small Spaces Are Cleaner
There's an onboard digital camera, in addition to smart sensors, so my little bot isn't banging into my coffee table or my couch (which I would naturally do with a regular vacuum – oops). It gets into little nooks and crannies I couldn't reach with a traditional vacuum.
It Takes Up Less Apartment Real Estate
It doesn't take up any space. I store my robotic vacuum underneath my TV console. Having this device, instead of using my huge self-service vacuum, gives me more room in my coat closet for other things, like coats.
It Requires Very Little Maintenance
It's (almost) independent. While I still have to clean out the washable filter when it's full, I don't have to remember to charge my electronic vacuum. It automatically returns to the docking station when the battery is low.
My Schedule Takes Priority
I can clean according to my schedule, which is incredible. If I want to run the POWERbot while I'm out with friends, I can do that by setting a time for an automatic cleaning. I'm so much less stressed!
It Frees Up My Time For Other Things
Now, I still spend time cleaning my apartment, but it's become significantly less of a time-suck. I can multitask and do the dishes, or I work while my vacuum automatically cleans my floors.