Robot vacuums are great helpers in simplifying your house chores. And they are not cheap. Not like a dime a dozen. While some are claimed to be great at protecting your furniture and protecting themselves, some are not. I remembered my first robot vacuum (the Xiamo Gen 1) ran to the wet bathroom and soaked its filter right on the first run because I left the house without closing the bathroom door. I came home expecting a spotless floor but an “oh shit” moment waited for me instead. So whenever I search for a robot vacuum, I always search for how to block it from bumping into furniture, going into bathrooms, or falling off the stairs.

To block any robot vacuum from stairs, furniture, and bathrooms, the first thing you do is to set up no-go zones and virtual walls in your robot vacuum app. This can only be done after your robot vacuum has completely mapped your house. Without that setting or app, you can block it by using separate virtual wall devices, physical barriers, magnetic strips, or boundary markers and door stoppers.

Let’s take a closer look at how to do it.

Set up no-go zones and virtual walls

Setting up no-go zones and virtual walls for your robot vacuum is a great way to block it from entering certain areas of the house. This can be done after the robot vacuum has completely mapped out your home, giving you complete control over where it can go and what it can do. With this feature, you can block off stairs, furniture, bathrooms, or any other area that may be hazardous for the robotic cleaner.

For example, the Roborock app allows you to do both directly in their app with some simple steps.

1. First, you need to turn on Map Saving before setting it up.
2. Tap on Edit Map and tap “No Go Zone”
3. Add a Zone, move it where you want it, and adjust its size. You can add up to 10 No Go Zones.
4. Add a Virtual Wall, move it where you want it and adjust its size.
5. Tap Save in the bottom.

With different brands and models, the names that appeared on the app (No Go Zones for Roborock, Keep Out Zone for iRobot) might differ. However, the steps to set these up are basically the same.

You can use no-go zone feature to block your robot vacuum from stairs and bathrooms. But if you want it to clean under the furniture, make sure you set up no-go zones just on the furniture legs, so your robot vacuum can still clean under it. Virtual walls can work for stairs and bathrooms for sure, but not likely as convenient for furniture as you might need to set up at least 2 virtual walls just to block your robot vacuum from bumping into furniture.

Set up virtual wall devices

If your robot vacuum does not have a built-in no-go zones and virtual walls feature, you can block it from entering certain areas of the house by using separate virtual wall devices. This is a device that emits an infrared beam, preventing the robot vacuum from crossing into the area. Simply set up the virtual wall between the area you want to block and the area you want to keep safe.

Same as virtual wall setting on apps, these virtual wall devices are most suited for stairs and bathrooms.

The newer iRobot models have virtual walls directly on the app, but some older models don’t. To block them from stairs, furniture, and bathrooms, you can buy the Roomba Virtual walls. All Roomba models can work with these separate virtual wall devices, but if they are not compatible, your Roomba won’t be able to clean near the virtual walls.

Having said that, if your purpose is to block a Roomba from certain rooms or stairs, it will work.

Other brands, at the time of writing, don’t have virtual wall devices. But they can do a similar job with magnetic strips or boundary markers.

Use magnetic strips or boundary markers

Magnetic strips or boundary markers are an effective way to block your robot vacuum from entering certain areas of the house. They act as a physical barrier by emitting a signal that the robot vacuum cannot cross over. They often come in several colors for you to choose to match with your decoration and rooms. You can also cut them or combine them to the length you need.

The Roborock older models, E2,E3,E4,E4 Mop,E5,E5 Mop,S5,S5 Max,S6,S6 Pure,S6 MaxV for example, is compatible with this magnetic strip.

You can use these strips or boundary markers for all areas, including stairs, bathrooms and around furniture. They are cheaper to buy and more versatile to set up for all types of flooring.

Another tip to hide this magnetic strip is to get another piece of matched pattern tape and stick it on top of this strip. So your magnetic strip will blend into your floor or carpet.

Install physical barriers

This is the most effective way to block your robot vacuum from entering certain areas of a house. You can use physical blockades such as gates to block off the entrance to any room or close off stairs so that your robot vacuum will recognize and avoid them. Basic wooden blocks or boards can work, and you can even spray-paint them black so they aren’t easily visible. Some guard rails will work for furniture and even bathrooms.

It’s definitely not going to be the most convenient option, but it’ll block your robot vacuum from entering any room or going up the stairs and getting stuck.

Use door stoppers

Door stoppers can also be used to block your robot vacuum from entering certain rooms or going up and down stairs. Simply place the door stopper on the ground around the area you want to block off, and your robot vacuum won’t be able to pass it.

Conclusion

Robot vacuums can be a great addition to any home, but it is important to block off certain areas such as stairs, furniture and bathrooms to ensure your robot vacuum does not damage itself or its surroundings.

Using virtual wall devices, magnetic strips or boundary markers, physical blockades and door stoppers are all effective ways to block your robot vacuum from entering certain areas of the house. Keep these tips in mind the next time you need to block a robot vacuum from furniture, stairs and bathrooms.