Gift of Time with the Irobot Roomba 770 Vacuum Cleaning Robot

As I write this post, I’m also doing a little housecleaning. Well, I AM not exactly doing the cleaning, my new 21st century pet, the Irobot Roomba 770 vacuum cleaning system is doing the legwork, err, ball-work while gliding atop my tiled and throw-rugged floors. In fact, it can do the cleaning when I’m sleeping and when I’m away from home. Before I bought a robot vacuum, I was constantly reading reviews on the best roomba alternative but I decided the Roomba would be the perfect vacuum for my needs.

This creature zipper from room to room sucking up cat litter, cat fur, dust bunnies and mystery dirt is like a cross between Rosie the Robot Maid from The Jetsons and a puppy. Let me explain why …

Rosie the Robot – It’s no surprise The Jetsons was one of my favorite cartoons growing up and like Rosie, this little Roomba is a fascinating piece of technology designed to pick up some of the household chores. Granted, it doesn’t do windows, toilets or ironing but it does a pretty dang good job of vacuuming the floors. The future is now and if you are looking for one of these products, visit https://www.bissell.com/vacuums/robotic-vacuums for more information!

First time I took it out of the box, assembled it (very easy!) and gave the robot its first cleaning assignment, I sat there for 90 minutes or so fascinated as it glided over the floor. Mind you, this was about 11 p.m. on a Friday night. Bumping into walls and finding doorways, it was making a thorough sweep.

The Irobot gobbled up under-the-bed and under-the-sofa dust bunnies, picked up the ever-constant gritty film on my floors, sucked up the orange and white cat fur on my large living room throw rug and even picked up dirt in my two bathrooms. I’m not the best housekeeper but had no idea how much dirt I was missing during my sweeps and vacuuming.

The technology in this little device is incredible. After it’s done cleaning, it heads back to the docking station to recharge. When it’s full and needs to be emptied, it SPEAKS to you. Cleaning can be scheduled and done when I’m asleep or away.

Do you know how amazing this is?

Puppy – The Irobot Roomba 770 reminds me of a puppy because the “trouble” it can get into. I’ve learned to pick up as much loose stuff from the floor as possible. This includes light throw rugs, tennis shoes (it’ll suck up shoelaces), bags (those darn straps!) and cat toys. It also includes picking up cords to electronics, such as the iron.

Of course, when I don’t pick these things up, the little vacuum cleaner sucks it up or gets wrapped around a wheel or some other part. This is when it SPEAKS alerting me to an issue. Tugging it out is like pulling it out of puppy chewing on a shoe except, no damage. In a way, it’s a bit endearing.

I had an “oops” moment with the iron. The robot vacuum picked up the cord, pulled the iron off the ironing board and dragged it into the living room. Don’t worry, all is well and lesson learned – keep the iron cord off the floor.

Is the Irobot Roomba Pet-Friendly?
Sunny, my cat, wasn’t quite sure what to make of this new addition to the family. At first he was skittish around it but these days, he’s accustom to his electronic sister cleaning up his stray cat litter.

Thanks, Best Buy!
How did I acquire this magnificent piece of 21st century household equipment? In July I attended the BlogHer conference in Chicago and stopped by the Best Buy booth, entered a drawing and was selected as a winner! My first reaction when I discovered what it was? Holy cow!

I’ll never understand the technology behind it but one thing I know is the Irobot Roomba 770 has simplified my life by giving me more time because it’s doing one of my chores. In this crazy, time-depraved world we live, isn’t it nice to be given the gift of time?