Robot vacuums are a great way to keep your home clean. Capable of vacuuming, mopping, and dealing with their own maintenance, these smart devices have come a long way over the years. Products from Roomba, Roborock, Ecovacs, and Narwal make it easier than ever to automate your floor-cleaning chores — and they largely do so without any manual input. However, there are a few things you can do to help optimize their performance.

Not all robot vacuums offer the same features. And the more you spend on a robot, the more likely it is to offer robust customization options. But regardless of your model, you’ll want to make note of these tips and tricks for robot vacuums. These (for the most part) apply to every single robot vacuum on the market — whether it’s an affordable one you picked up at Walmart or a premium gadget from Roborock. Most of these tips are quite easy, and when done properly, you’ll benefit from a cleaner home and a robot that’s better able to deal with anything you throw at it.

Looking to upgrade your device? Check out our roundup of the best robot vacuum and mop combos.

Robot vacuums come in all shapes and sizes, but none of them have mastered the art of picking up objects (except for the Saros Z70, which does so to questionable results). Leaving stuffed animals, shoes, clothing, or other belongings on the ground will have a significant impact on your robot’s ability to clean. Before every cleaning event, make sure you take a few minutes to pick up large objects scattered throughout your home. This ensures your robot vacuum will reach every inch of your floors without getting tangled or needing a reset.

Charging cords and cables are also likely to get missed by detection systems, so tuck these away before letting your robot loose.

If you have any sensitive spots in your home, make sure you take a few minutes to set up restricted zones using your smartphone. This will prevent your robot vacuum from venturing into the territory and is incredibly useful for areas you don’t want to be disturbed (such as dog bowls or curtains dangling precariously close to the ground). Not all products offer this feature, but if you’re lucky enough to have the option, it’s best to take advantage of it.

Of all the objects in your home, chairs are the most likely to confuse your vacuum. It’s not uncommon for robot vacuums to get caught within the legs of a chair, as the spindly protrusions can be hard to detect, making it easy to get underneath the seat, but nearly impossible to escape. We’d recommend either tipping your chairs up against a wall prior to cleaning or using the aforementioned restricted zones to label them off-limits.

Try scheduling your cleanings for when few people are home. Not only can robot vacuums be noisy (and distracting), but many of them tend to perform better when they don’t have to work around people hustling and bustling throughout the house. Also, make sure you don’t overload your schedule when out of town — otherwise, you might come home to a robot that needs to be rescued and recharged.

Like everything else in your smart home, your robot vacuum needs periodic maintenance. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual about exact cleaning procedures, but at a minimum, you should be emptying its dustbin after every cleaning, checking its filters, and inspecting its wheels as needed. Robot vacuums with automatic dust removal are another story — these require no daily input, but their larger dustbin reservoirs should be checked monthly.

Believe it or not, where you place your charging dock can have a huge impact on your robot vacuum’s performance. Most products require several inches of free space on both sides, along with several feet of space in front of the dock for easy access. It also helps to put it in the largest room that needs to be cleaned, allowing it to quickly return for a recharge when necessary.

The first few times you run your vacuum, try watching its performance from the moment it begins to the moment it ends. This will help you discover any spots in your home that are causing trouble, and it can even help you determine how well it’s actually cleaning. With any luck, you’ll be able to set up more accurate restricted zones or perform a bit of maintenance to improve its abilities.

Most robot vacuums can clean your home in the dark — but that doesn’t mean they should. You’ll often find that the better lit your home, the better your vacuum performs. Try turning on a few lights before starting a cycle, and with any luck, you’ll be rewarded with a cleaner home.