What are Boundary Strips for Robot Vacuums?

If you are just wading into the world of automated cleaning, you may wonder what are boundary strips for robot vacuums. Some of the best vacuums, after all, are robot vacuums, and these robots are assisted by various accessories. So what are boundary strips, how do they work, and what are some tips to make the most of them? Keep reading to find out.

What are Boundary Strips?

One of the most common robot vacuum troubleshooting steps is using a variety of tools and accessories to create boundaries. So, boundary strips tell the vacuum where it can or cannot go, even if you have learned all about gyro navigation with robot vacuums.

This is extremely helpful, as robo-vacs are expensive and constantly hurling them down the stairs is not a good look. Boundary strips let you cordon off sensitive areas, thus keeping the vacuum safe from itself.

Types of Boundary Strips

There are various types of boundary strips, and you’ll typically find that a roll or two ships with any newly purchased robot vac.

• Boundary Tape – This is your standard accessory for this task. Boundary tape is outfitted with a reflective coating that the vacuum will not travel across. You can cut it and lay it out however you want.
• Boundary Strips – This is just like boundary tape but resists cutting and must be laid out as-is. Still, these strips are often more aesthetically pleasing than tape.
• Virtual Boundaries – Not all models need boundary strips at all, as some perform this task digitally. The robots will make a note of any problem areas and avoid them accordingly. Additionally, you can set up these virtual boundaries on a smartphone app.

How to Create Boundaries for Robot Vacuums?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach here, though there are some helpful tips worth considering when using any kind of boundary tape or strip.

• Stairs are a no-go for these little buddies. Cordon them off as needed. If you need multiple floors to be cleaned, carry the vacuum from one floor to the next.
• Avoid heavily trafficked areas if you are going for a more “out of sight, out of mind” approach to automated cleaning robots.
• These strips are also for telling a robot where to clean and not just where to avoid. Set up the strips to create a cleaning path for the little bot.