Setup & Mapping
Preparing Your Home for a Robot Vacuum’s First Clean
A few minutes of preparation stops the robot getting stuck and saves you cleaning up a tangled mess. This is a room-by-room checklist.
Quick answer
Pick up cables, socks and small toys, flatten or secure rug edges, open interior doors, and check thresholds and low furniture. The first run builds the map, so a clear floor matters most now.
Cables and cords
Phone chargers, lamp cords and headphone cables are the most common cause of a robot getting tangled. Route them up off the floor or along baseboards. See keeping robots away from toys and cords.
Rugs and fringe
Fringe and curled edges catch brushes. Flatten edges, use rug tape, or set a no-go zone for problem rugs; see no-go zones.
Small objects and pet items
Socks, small toys, pet bowls and pet accidents are best removed for the first run. Some camera-based robots identify certain objects, but only where the maker states it.
Doors, thresholds and clearance
- Open interior doors so the robot can map every room.
- Measure thresholds and low furniture; see high thresholds and low furniture.
- Check for stairs or ledges, which cliff sensors handle differently by model.
A five-minute walk-through
- Floor clear of loose items.
- Cables lifted.
- Rugs flat.
- Doors open.
- Dock placed and powered.
Next
Continue with the first-time setup checklist and mapping.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prep every time?
Less so after the first run, but cables and small items are worth checking regularly.
What about pet accidents?
Remove anything the robot could spread. Some makers document obstacle recognition, but check what yours states.
Will it fall down stairs?
Cliff sensors are designed to prevent it, but keep them clean and test carefully.