Most homes have carpet in some place and as such, your soon to be robot vacuum cleaner will be venturing into those spaces. As we all know though, not all carpets are created equal so what is The Best Carpet Cleaner for Short Pile and Berber Carpets?
We know our carpets range from Cut Pile Twist to Level Loop and Cut Pile so without discussing the intricacies of the carpet industry we’ll keep this review to short Pile and Berber Style carpet.
A short piled carpet is one where the fibers are shorter and may or may not have loops. Generally the pile (or fiber length is not much more than a 1/2 inch). These offer a softer feel and come in many assortments of twisted fiber and cut pile. Ideal for medium traffic and bedrooms.
Berber carpet, on the other hand, is made of a stronger fiber and formed in tight loops close to the floor (with a fiber length of 1/4inch in length). You will generally find this style in offices and high traffic areas due to their incredible hardwearing ability and ease of keeping them clean. (Not to mention how easy furniture moves across it.)
How to clean Pile and Berber Carpets?
You probably already know that pile carpets are frequently divided into 3 pile categories, which are Low, Medium, and High.
Low-pile carpets have a fairly flat feel and appeal and are usually made up of firmly woven fibers, and they can reach less than 1/4”.
Now, since Berber carpets are characterized by tightly looped fibers woven in parallel lines, they can also be considered as low-pile carpets.
Medium-pile carpets provide features of both high and low pile carpeting. They have the characteristic of not being the tightest nor the longest either. They can reach 1/2 inches at the highest.
High-pile carpeting is softer, fluffier, and also have an increased appearance. Most high-pile carpet fiber lengths will fall between 1/2 and 3/4 inch.
Regular carpet cleaning is essential to help prolong the life and look of your carpet. A good general rule for the average household is to vacuum twice a week. Now, you need to make sure that no matter the type of pile carpet you have you should avoid using brushrolls because the yarn may get fuzzy (however some people advise to use brushrolls on medium-pile carpets. Do it at your own risk).
Cleaning Spills and Spots – A 2-Step Strategy
Today’s carpets are stain-resistant, and taking care of stains and spots has actually never been simpler. However you still can not find totally stain-proof carpets, the secret is always to act fast to get rid of spots with a one-two punch.
Step # 1: Soak up the Spill
Absorb fluids with some dry, absorbent white piece of cloth or absorbent towels (white is a must). Using colored or printed towels may get the ink or dye to your damp carpet. Keep doing that until the spot is almost dry.
Semisolids or solids may well need to get removed using a spoon or they may be vacuumed.
Do not brush or scrub! Scrubbing might damage the carpet. The results, if you do that may be unraveling and appearance change.
Step # 2: Get Rid Of the Stain or Spot
Use a certified product to clean your carpets. Although these certified products have been tested by laboratories, you must still previously test any solution on a piece of the carpet or an unseen spot of the carpet.
Adhere to the product’s directions carefully. Even though you often hear “More is better”, that is not the case when it comes to using carpet cleaning products. Start with a small volume of the solution to a piece of cloth and work gently, starting from the sides and towards the center. Soak up; don’t brush or scrub. You will probably need to do it over a few times to get rid of the stain. when the spot disappears, soak up the spot with plain water one, two, or more times to remove any residual of the product.
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Are you a pet owner?
Here are some tips to combat or control your pet odor:
- Vacuum the carpet more often to catch your pet’s hair.
- Use Approved cleaning products that are specially designed for odors and pet stains.
- New messes need to be cleaned up quickly and after that adhere to the different steps for stain, and spot removal.
- Have a professional clean your carpet every twelve months or so. More often if necessary.
Understanding just how to maintain pile and Berber carpets is not complicated at all but you surely need to learn about the essential rules. Start immediately, use the best suctions only vacuum cleaners and make sure you properly have liquid cleaners to always keep your expensive and beautiful carpet healthy for a very long time.
What models are we comparing?
It is easy to choose which models are better by how many they are selling and in the feedback those companies receive for their products. With that in mind, we also took into consideration reviewed robot vacuums and compared them to see which performed better for our short pile or Berber carpet review.
These are the final contenders:
- Eufy[Boost IQ] RoboVac 30c (Replacing the 11s)
- iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum with internet connectivity
- iLife A8 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
- ECOVACS DEEBOT N79S Robot Cleaner with Max Suction
- Neato BotVac D80 Robot Vacuum for Pets and Allergies
We aimed to choose a model from each supplier and compare them with each other. Continue reading below to find out how they faired.
Below is what you can expect to find in the box of each of our selected models. Have a look at what is common and what some may say verge on the frugal…
It would be simple to say that all robot vacuums are the same. They have one simple job to carry out and that is to move across the floor and pick up the majority (hopefully most) of the hair and debris left in the normal day to day passage of time.
However, that is not the case. Even the contents in the boxes above show that there are already differences between them. Not to mention suction and voice control add-ons.
This is where the market is really opening up. In a pursuit to create the ultimate smart home we also want our robots to be smart and do the things we normally do too.
But perhaps that is our flaw as humans? A robot and even the company behind the manufacture of the robot is bound to create something which it will assume the majority use, so it is imperative to understand what you have on your floors is more than likely different to what I have on my floors!
Out of the 5 robot vacuums we have chosen 4 have an app which can be downloaded and used to schedule the automatic vacuum to run and the Eufy [Boost IQ] RoboVac 30c even boasts “no-go” lines. These are invisible lines drawn on the app map where you do not want the vacuum to go.
The ILIFE A8 doesn’t have an app but does come with a remote control and it is this that you control and schedule your cleaning routine with. Simple and uncomplicated some might say.
The usual side brushes and main brush are a matter of choice, but it is really here that the magic happens.
Finally, the normal accompaniments such as the home charger base and the assortment of extra filters and side brushes will all come in useful when you are getting to know your new robotic vacuum.
See the comparison table below:
Major Differences
The first major difference is the shape and for that, the Neato BotVac D80 Robot Vacuum has a standout CornerClever D-shape design which is proving innovative in a market seemingly destined for the round shape.
This small change though allows for one vital advantage… The Neato BotVac D80 Robot Vacuum can manuevour effectively into corners and sweep the dirt that has gathered there. The other advantage is a larger dirt bin thanks to the long edge not restricting the edges as the round version does.
It is also equipped with laser floor mapping which really outshines the other contenders as they rely on sensors and cameras. Neato BotVac D80 Robot Vacuum also is shipped with a combination of brushes to meet your needs.
The iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum comes from a distinguished class of Robot Vacuums. With all that experience, this vacuum can run for 120 mins and can automatically increase its cleaning performance on carpets with Power Boost.
The iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum also boasts 10x more suction power than previous models and has an AeroForce® High-Efficiency Filter. It is not the best filter on the market but a great start.
In the Box
The Eufy[Boost IQ] RoboVac 30c is an incredibly thin robot cleaner at just 2.85″ and also utilizes an automatic boost function when needed on areas requiring extra suction.
Eufy also is one of the quietist vacuums on the market and for that many buyers will be swayed.
The iLife A8 Robot Vacuum Cleaner brought a new way to route plan and navigate your home and rooms, creating a map that it can clean effectively from. The Panoview uses a live-vision panoramic camera to scan surroundings so it can manage an orderly cleaning pattern too.
It also falls in the thin category at only 2.83″ and will be highly effective at sweeping debris into its roller as it has 2 side brushes.
Finally, the ECOVACS DEEBOT N79S Robot Cleaner has an ace up its sleeve with larger wheels to navigate those thresholds and thicker rugs that robot vacuums need to climb over.
How do I choose between them?
Generally, short pile carpet and Berber carpet are thought of as being more allergy friendly as dust and debris have less opportunity to build up between the fibers. It is also far easier to keep clean when something should stain it.
They are also generally easier to move furniture over and walk on hence their use in high traffic areas and offices, so it is no surprise then that searching out an automatic vacuum should have suction and good quality brushes to enable the majority of the debris to be collected.
I have already mentioned the amazing suction of the iRobot Roomba 980 but it is not the only one to have increased its suction power. The Eufy [Boost IQ] 30s also uses a powerful motor to leave floors hair and dirt free.
It should also be a consideration of the potential buyer that they consider the layout of their home. The D-shape design of the Neato Botvac D80 is brilliant in getting into corners, but if your home has fewer corners and more obstacles then perhaps this design is not the best.
Navigation is the final choice to be considered. When robot cleaners initially entered the market they relied heavily on bumps to and from the furniture but today cameras and laser navigation make a huge difference in efficiency.
The ILIFE A8 Robot Vacuum Cleaner really makes mapping interesting with its Smart Panoramic Navigation and then accordingly designing a route to efficiently clean your rooms.
The Neato BotVac D80 Robot Vacuum uses a laser to map your home and equally does an excellent job of plotting a path that makes the best use of its mapping technology.
Teething Troubles
I like to always add a few suggestions here for those who are unfamiliar with robot vacuums.
First, it’s a robot and as such has no feelings or common sense. Do not think it is purposefully avoiding your black rug to anger you. This is a common issue with the drop sensors detecting a sudden change in color and the robot assuming that it is about to fall over some stairs.
Second, yes, some are erratic cleaners. They seem to go back and forth and all over the place but again this is not for you to worry about. The best advice here is to set and forget it. Once the vacuuming has been done, empty the dirt bin and admire your clean home.
Third. The majority of robot cleaners HATE water and so it is with caution that I will warn you against pet water bowls and shaky tables with vases on that are not properly cordoned off. Use the barriers appropriately!
Forth, you will be required to maintain a relatively clean floor. Pick up odds and ends, cables and socks. It will make your life easier and your vacuum happy.
Finally fifth, you are responsible for maintenance. Just like any other appliance, you will be expected to clean sensors, remove hair and empty the dirt bin… often. Bear that in mind if you want a vacuum to continue to serve you well.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that this article is about what is the best robot cleaner for short pile and Berber carpet and of the 5 machines chosen there is some difficulty in electing a clear winner. That said they will all do a perfectly great job.
However, there has to be one (and a very close second!)
Our close second is the iRobot Roomba 980. It is slightly shallower in depth and its mapping features improve with each release. Not to mention the amazing suction it has.
The Neato BotVAc D80 Connected is our overall winner as The Best Short Pile and Berber Carpet Vacuum with really impressive navigation functions and larger dirt bin. We did consider the height but the overall quality of this vacuum is just ideal.
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