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Roborock’s S7 MaxV Ultra and S8 Series Vacuums have awareness of floor direction

If you have hardwood or laminate flooring, you may be concerned about vacuuming against the grain and causing damage to your floors. Fortunately, some robot vacuums now offer a “clean along floor direction” feature that can help minimize scraping against the floor seams and reduce the risk of scratches and scuffs.

One such vacuum is the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, which offers this feature within its Floor Cleaning Settings in the app.

Quick Links to robots that can vacuum and mop with the floor direction::

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Vacuum & Mop with the wood grain/floor direction
Automatic dust emptying, mop washing, and water tank refilling
Self washing, self drying
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
Vacuum & Mop with the wood grain/floor direction
Automatic dust emptying, mop washing, and water tank refilling
ReactiveAI 2.0 obstacle avoidance technology


By enabling the “clean along floor direction” feature and running the robot on the lowest mop scrubbing level at first, you can ensure that the vacuum is cleaning your floors in a way that minimizes the risk of damage. You can also customize the map of your home and adjust the scrub intensity to the lowest setting in rooms with laminate flooring to avoid scratching. After using the vacuum, it’s a good idea to examine your floors in direct sunlight to check for any scratches or other damage.

While the “clean along floor direction” feature may not eliminate the risk of scratching or scuffing, it can certainly help reduce it. When combined with other precautions, such as adjusting the beater brush height and suction power of your traditional vacuum and vacuuming only when necessary, you can keep your hardwood or laminate floors looking their best for years to come. So if you’re concerned about vacuuming against the grain, consider investing in a robot vacuum with the “clean along floor direction” feature and taking other precautions to protect your floors.

For screenshots of this feature see PC Mag’s review of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Wait, is vacuuming against wood grain even bad for your floors?

Hardwood floors are a timeless and classic flooring option that adds warmth and beauty to any home. While hardwood floors are durable, they do require proper care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. One common question that often arises is whether vacuuming against the wood grain on hardwood floors is bad for the flooring. In this blog post, we will explore this question and provide some insights into what you should do to keep your hardwood floors in top condition.

First, let’s discuss what the wood grain is. The grain of the wood is the pattern of the wood fibers that run along the length of the plank. The grain direction can affect the appearance and durability of the flooring. In general, it is best to vacuum with the grain direction to avoid damaging the surface of the flooring. However, vacuuming against the grain direction can also be done without causing any damage to the flooring.

Vacuuming against the grain on hardwood floors can potentially cause scratches or scuffs on the surface of the flooring. This is because the vacuum’s beater brush or rotating brush can push dirt and debris against the grain, creating friction that can damage the flooring. Additionally, if the vacuum’s beater brush is set too low, it can create deep scratches in the flooring, which can be difficult to repair.

Hardwood Hardwood
Delicious Hardwood Nothing beats the feeling of clean hardwood on the bare foot!

Not all hardwood flooring is created equal. Some hardwood floors are more durable and can handle vacuuming against the grain better than others. For example, harder species of hardwood, such as oak, maple, and hickory, are more resistant to scratches and dents than softer woods like pine or birch.

In addition to the type of hardwood flooring, the finish of the flooring can also affect how well it can handle vacuuming against the grain. Floors with a high-gloss finish are more prone to showing scratches and scuffs, whereas a matte or satin finish can help hide these imperfections.

So, is vacuuming against the wood grain on hardwood floors bad for the flooring? The answer is not necessarily. While vacuuming against the grain can potentially cause damage, it is generally safe to do so if done correctly. To minimize the risk of damage, it is important to adjust the vacuum’s beater brush to the appropriate height and use a soft brush attachment to avoid scratches.

So, what can you do?

These adjustments can help you protect your hardwood floors while keeping them clean and free of dirt and debris.

  • Enable Floor Direction/Pattern Awareness Features: Make sure to take advantage of features like Roborock’s “clean along floor direction” feature to help minimize the impact of cleaning cycles over time. In the Roborock App select Floor Cleaning Settings > then enable “clean along floor direction”.
  • Beater brush height: Adjust the height of the beater brush to avoid it coming into contact with the hardwood floors. For hardwood floors, the beater brush should be set to the highest height possible.
  • Soft brush attachment: Use a soft brush attachment to clean the floors. This will help prevent scratches and scuffs from the vacuum’s rotating brush.
  • Suction power: Adjust the suction power of the vacuum to a lower setting to avoid damaging the surface of the flooring. High suction can cause scratches and scuffs, especially on softer wood species.
  • Frequency of vacuuming: Vacuuming too frequently can cause wear and tear on the hardwood floors, leading to scratches and other damage. It is important to vacuum only when necessary and to avoid over-cleaning.
  • Maintenance: Keeping your vacuum in good working condition can help prevent damage to your hardwood floors. Regularly replace filters, check the beater brush for damage, and empty the canister or change the bag as needed.

Wrapping Up

Don’t lose sleep at night if you’re vacuuming against the grain, and use some of the techniques we mentioned to minimize any wear and tear. With the proper care, your hardwood floors will continue to provide beauty and warmth for years to come regardless of whether or not you go against the grain.

If you’re looking for a robot vacuum, pay attention to floor direction awareness features as found in the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra on Amazon and Roborock S8 Series.