It sounds like a paradox, doesn’t it? The concept is that excessive cleaning could damage your cleaning tools. Yet, the way we maintain our Narwal robot can quietly wear it down faster than expected. It’s not always grime that does the damage. Sometimes, it’s our obsession with spotless perfection.
Let’s explore some of the common cleaning habits that might be doing more harm than good to your vacuum, mop, and sanity.
Scrubbing Like You’re Cleaning a Frying Pan
One of the biggest mistakes people make is over-scrubbing the sensors and wheels of their automatic vacuum cleaner and mop. These parts are delicate, designed for precision. Rubbing them down with aggressive materials can damage coatings, misalign tracking systems or make them less responsive.
Use a soft cloth and a light touch. Think more “microfibre cloth on sunglasses” rather than “steel wool on cast iron”.
Washing the Mop Head Too Often or Not Properly
Yes, hygiene matters. But washing the mop head after every single use, especially with harsh detergents, shortens its lifespan and weakens its absorbency.
When you’re using a device like a robot that integrates mopping with vacuuming, the mop fibres are designed for repeated but measured cleaning. Excessive cleaning with bleach or drying at high temperatures can cause them to deteriorate early. A simple rinse and occasional deep clean are usually enough.
Vacuuming on Freshly Waxed or Wet Floors
It might look like a perfect moment for a clean, gleaming floor and all, but moisture can sneak into the device’s internals and wreak havoc. Automatic vacuum cleaners are not designed for wet surfaces unless stated, and using them on slippery or damp floors may cause internal rust.
Wait for floors to dry completely, especially if you’ve recently mopped or waxed, to avoid any hidden water damage.
Ignoring the Filters Because “It’s Still Working”
You wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth just because they look clean. Similarly, your robot’s filter might be quietly gathering dust and allergens even when the vacuum seems to be fine.
Regular but appropriate filter cleaning is key. Don’t blow into it like it’s a birthday candle or slap it against a wall. A gentle brush or vacuum will do. Some robot users find that setting a monthly reminder helps keep this chore on track without overdoing it.
Replacing Parts Too Early Just to Be “Safe”
There’s a surprising trend among users who swap out mop heads, filters, or side brushes long before their useful life is up. While being prepared is great, it’s also wasteful and expensive. Let your vacuum show signs of wear before thinking of replacing anything. Most automatic vacuum cleaner and mop models are built with usage indicators or alert systems anyway.
Premature replacements don’t improve performance. They just empty your wallet and possibly mess with calibration.
Letting It Run on a Full Bin or Dirty Base Station
Your vacuum’s brain is clever, but not psychic. If the dustbin is full or the base station hasn’t been wiped down in weeks, it’ll still try to power through, leading to reduced suction or mop streaking.
Whether you’re dealing with a basic model or a hybrid like the Narwal robot, schedule regular maintenance, but don’t obsessively open the bin after each cycle. Weekly cleaning is often enough unless you’ve had a particularly messy week.
Manually Moving It Around the House Mid-Clean
Tempting as it may be to speed things up by picking up your vacuum and dropping it in another room, it’s not great for the machine. These robots rely on spatial memory, and interrupting a cycle can confuse the mapping system. Let your automatic vacuum cleaner and mop finish its route. Interfering might save time now, but create inefficient patterns later, ironically making cleaning take longer.
A healthy balance is essential. Don’t overdo and don’t underdo. Treat your devices with the same logic you would apply to skincare: gentle, consistent, and tailored. Whether you’re using a basic unit or something more advanced like a Narwal robot, mindful upkeep leads to smoother performance, longer lifespan, and fewer “what’s that noise?” moments mid-clean.
Contact Narwal SG to find out how their robot vacuum and mop systems can support your cleaning habits without compromising performance.
