Robot vacuum cleaners are designed to move automatically between rooms, but a small step can sometimes prevent them from reaching certain areas. This is especially common when the kitchen is slightly higher or lower than the living room where the robot’s charging station is located.
The good news is that you can still use your robot vacuum to clean the kitchen without moving the charging station.
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Place the Robot Inside the Kitchen
If the robot cannot cross the step, the easiest solution is to manually carry it into the kitchen.
Open the robot vacuum's app and select the cleaning option. Once the robot starts moving, allow it to explore the kitchen and scan the area. Depending on the model, the robot may add the kitchen to its existing map or create a separate map for the area.
What About the Charging Station?
You do not necessarily need to move the charging station.
If the station is in the living room and the robot cannot cross the step, simply leave the station in its original location. After the kitchen has been cleaned, you may need to manually carry the robot back to the station.
This is particularly important if the robot has a low battery. A robot vacuum cannot recharge itself if it cannot physically reach its dock.
Can the Kitchen Be Added to the Existing Map?
This depends on the robot vacuum model and its mapping system. Some Xiaomi and other modern robot vacuums can save detailed maps and allow users to select individual rooms for cleaning.
If your model supports multiple maps or manual map editing, check the mapping settings in the manufacturer's app. You may be able to save the kitchen as a separate area or map.
Should You Move the Charging Station?
Usually, no. Moving the charging station just to map the kitchen can sometimes cause the robot to change or rebuild its map.
If the living room is the main cleaning area and the station is already positioned correctly, keeping it there is generally more convenient. Simply move the robot manually whenever you want to clean the kitchen.
A Simple Solution
A step between rooms does not mean you cannot use a robot vacuum in both areas. Keep the charging station where the robot can easily access it, manually place the vacuum in the kitchen when needed, and use the manufacturer's app to control and map the area.
For homes with different floor levels, this simple approach can be much easier than repeatedly relocating the charging station.
