My husband and I were thinking about getting a Roomba to help with housecleaning. We have 2 girls under the age of 4 who are scared of upright vacuums and were hoping this would make life easier, that we could turn it on when we leave and come back to clean floors. We would use it for our 3 bedrooms, hallways and living room that are carpeted. Our dining room and kitchen are tile. What are your experiences? Any recommendations? Thanks
I want one so bad! I've heard really good things about them. I knew a girl who had cats and it would follow them around after they ate because they left crumbs around.
One thing that helped my dd with her vacuum fear was getting her a little vacuum of her own, now she loves to follow daddy around and vacuum with her little one while he does it with his big one.
I got my sister one for Christmas last year and it took so much effort to get the room clear and blocked properly and it didn't do much.... so not worth it.
My kids went through a phase like that and would cry cry cry when I vacuum, but now they run to get their play vacuums to "help" me out (they are 3.5 and almost 2 yr).
We have Roomba and Scooba. I find them too much of a pain to set up to bother using.
You will still need to vacuum but a lot less. Mine drowned in a flood and I was just missing it not ten mins ago...lol. Totally worth it.
The vacuum 'fear' does go away..... its a phase.
Both my kids, when younger FREAKED out with the vacuum and was real scared of it/the noise.
My youngest, my son, is now 4 years old, and I CAN vacuum with him around, now.
Prior to this, with both my kids, I would have them go into another room, with my Husband or Grandma, while I vacuumed elsewhere.
I have a canister vacuum.
We have a roomba, but I agree with Cynthia that it just doesn't suck hard enough to forego a regular vacuum. And the roomba is expensive! Also, I have to clean the brushes of my roomba at least every 2 weeks, which is pretty gross - and I don't think we're actually that messy of a family. We have a 3-year-old, no pets, and we are pretty consistent about taking off shoes at the front door, etc.
My son was terrified at the Roomba at first, but got over it after a while, and he's no longer startled by the normal vacuum either. I think the idea of getting your girls a toy vacuum is a good one. They like to pretend to be grownups, so soon, you might be able to hand over vacuuming chores to them! ;-)
Love my Roomba but you will still need to vacuum, just less frequently. DS was initially scared of Roomba, then thought he was a friend. My mom also has Scooba and loves it. She has mostly tile.
We've had 2 roombas. They are great for touch-ups in between regular vacuuming, but in my opinion, they don't do a good enough job to let you go without regular vacuuming. You can use it on tile or carpet, but it does a better job (IMO) on carpet. When I used it, I would do regular vacuuming every 2 weeks and Roomba-vacuuming every day or two. Without a Roomba, I have to vacuum every 3-4 days. My kids (2 under age 2, at the time) both loved it. Each Roomba only lasted for one year before dying, which is why I don't have one currently ... but even with them only lasting a year, I've considered buying another. I have two dogs and two kids and a rabbit, so I have lot of clean-up to do.
We are actually buying one tomorrow! I've been meaning to get one for two years, and I really don't know why I've waited so long. Our main level where the kitchen and dining room are honestly needs sweeping twice a day. I'm so sick of it! I can't wait to program that thing to just go along and vacuum it all up. Four of my good friends have them and have had them for several years. They all love them! They're great for pet hair too. They all have said not to bargain hunt and get the lowest priced model. One friend purchased two that had been refurbished, and they've worked well, but the two friends who initially got the lowest priced Roomba wound up returning it because it didn't do a good job. The others do, though!
We have a roomba and my son was scared of it but he got over it. That said, it's really much better for non-carpet. It does a nice job of removing surface dirt on carpet but doesn't get the deep down stuff. It's nice because you can multi-task instead of vacuuming only, but you do have to move stuff off the floor if you want to vacuum under and not just around.
I suggest finding toy vacuums that make noise for the girls so they can get used to it, and vacuuming when they are not right near the vacuum. They ARE really loud, so it makes sense that they don't like it. Good luck!
