The iRobot Braava jet is a robotic floor cleaner designed to maintain clean hard surfaces. It operates by using specialized cleaning pads to sweep, mop, or damp sweep floors, providing a convenient and automated cleaning solution for your home.
Function Description:
The Braava jet is primarily designed for cleaning hard floors such as tile, hardwood, and stone. It uses a precision jet spray and vibrating cleaning head to tackle dirt and stains. The robot is capable of navigating around obstacles and along edges to ensure thorough coverage of the cleaning area. It utilizes different cleaning pads for various tasks:
- Dry Sweeping Pad: Used for picking up dust, dirt, and pet hair.
- Wet Mopping Pad: Designed for tackling dirt and grime with a cleaning solution.
- Damp Sweeping Pad: Offers a lighter clean than wet mopping, suitable for everyday maintenance.
The robot is equipped with sensors that help it navigate and avoid hazards like stairs. It can be started with a simple press of the CLEAN button and will automatically return to its starting point or indicate when a cleaning cycle is complete.
Usage Features:
To ensure optimal performance, there are several key usage features and recommendations:
- Preparation: Before running the Braava jet with a Wet Mopping or Damp Sweeping Pad, it is recommended to use a Dry Sweeping Pad or vacuum to pick up loose dirt and dust. This prevents the mopping pads from becoming excessively dirty too quickly.
- Pad Attachment: Cleaning pads should be attached to the robot when dry. Presoaking the pads is not recommended.
- Starting and Pausing: To start a cleaning cycle, simply press the CLEAN button. If you need to pause the robot during a cycle, press the CLEAN button again. To resume, press the CLEAN button once more. It is important not to pick up and move the robot while it is cleaning, as this will cause it to end its current cleaning run.
- Turning Off: To turn off the Braava jet, press and hold the CLEAN button for 5 seconds.
- Tank Filling: When filling the tank, tilt the robot slightly to ensure the tank fills completely, preventing air pockets.
- Pad Compatibility: The Braava jet is designed to work exclusively with Braava jet pads, which are specifically engineered for the robot's cleaning mechanism.
- Surface Suitability: The robot performs best on smooth hard surfaces. Its effectiveness may be reduced on uneven tiles, heavily waxed floors, or rough surfaces like slate or brick, as these textures can snag the cleaning pads.
- Obstacle Management: For best results, lift up floor-length curtains before running the Braava jet to prevent them from interfering with the robot's movement or becoming damp.
Maintenance Features:
Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your iRobot Braava jet running at peak performance. The following steps outline how to care for your robot:
- Cleaning the Cliff Sensors and Pad Reader: The sensors located on the bottom of the robot, which help it detect drops and read the type of pad attached, should be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth. This ensures accurate navigation and pad recognition.
- Cleaning the Wheels: Over time, debris and hair can accumulate around the robot's wheels. It is important to periodically pull off any visible debris or hair to maintain smooth movement and prevent blockages.
- Cleaning the Body of the Robot: The exterior of the robot, including its body and bumper, can be wiped clean with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or smudges.
- Cleaning the Precision Jet Spray Nozzle: The nozzle responsible for spraying water or cleaning solution should be kept clean. Wipe it with a damp cloth to prevent clogs and ensure an even spray pattern.
- Cleaning the Tank: If you notice an odor developing in the robot's tank, it indicates a need for cleaning. To clean the tank, fill it with hot tap water (avoiding boiling water). Close the cap and gently shake the robot. Then, rinse the tank thoroughly and repeat the process if necessary. After cleaning, allow the tank to air dry with the cap open before using the robot again. This helps prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
- Caring for Washable Cleaning Pads: Braava jet washable pads are designed for multiple uses and can be washed up to 50 times before needing replacement. Hand washing and air drying are the recommended methods for prolonging their lifespan. If using a washing machine, wash the pads on a warm cycle and then air dry them. It is important not to wash these pads with delicates to prevent damage.