My mother wants a Roomba. She has a dog that sheds a lot, and a fairly cluttered house. Should we buy it?

Question

She has expressed that she wants it, and I'm concerned that it's not going to work that great for her. One of my siblings has suggested that we each chip in for Christmas. I'm happy to do so, but I'm afraid that it would be money wasted. The dog sheds A LOT, and she's got so much furniture and clutter that I think it might be ineffective. She's the type to be more likely to set it aside if it didn't work, rather than return it and get something else. Have you owned one? What did you think? What should I do?

Answer 1

I have one, and in my opinion, they do not work very well. If the house is cluttered, it really will not work! Spend your money on something that will be useful for your mom.

Answer 2

The Roomba may be good for light floor cleaning,but it also has to be programmed and it has to start from the same location every time.
The dog may try to play with it or someone might accidentally kick it while it goes about its business.
The Roombas dirt capacity is limited so it would have to be emptied on a regular basis and the dog hair might clog the machine up more frequently than a regular vacuum cleaner.
If mother really wants a robot to clean house,wait a few more years -they are coming.

Answer 3

A few things about roombas you shouold know before getting one.
- they don't work well in carpet
- they don't work well in cluttered areas... ours even gets stuck if we leave all the kitchen chairs pushed in under the table
- You have to protect staircases or the roomba will kamakazee down the steps
- they are designed to be turned on as you leave the house and to do their thing while your gone,so, unless your mom is gone an hour or two every day she'll be listning to the sound of a vaccuume cleaner

For the cost I'd be inclined to buy her a few grooming sessions for the pooch, it might do more to keep the floors clean
Good luck!

Answer 4

From the answers from everyone else I think you should chip in to have the dog groomed professionally, the house cleaned once a week by a maid, and help you Mom organize a garage sale - say in April sometime. Good luck.