Robot vacuums are a time-saving tool for cleaning your home. They can vacuum, mop, avoid obstacles and even pick up after you. However, to keep them operating at their best, sometimes they need a little care themselves.
Many people on Reddit threads wonder why their robot vacuum isn’t performing as well as when they first bought it. It turns out that robots also require cleaning, though the frequency can vary. I connected with Ryan Stocking, Roomba product manager at iRobot, to get some expert-approved tips for maintaining your trusty robot vacuum and ensuring its best performance this summer.
For more vacuum cleaning tips, check out five ways to help your robot vacuum clean even better. You can also see our guide to help you choose between buying a robot or a cordless vacuum, and the cheapest vacuums we recommend.
Why do you need to clean your robot vacuum?
Isn’t the whole point of a vacuum that it does the cleaning? While it may be frustrating to have to clean your cleaning tool, regular maintenance has serious benefits, including increasing the longevity of your robot vacuum. The lifespan of a robot vacuum varies depending on the frequency of use, floor conditions and, importantly, user maintenance.
Since these machines are almost fully automated, they’ll go days — or weeks — collecting dust, crumbs and pet hair without much help. Eventually, they’ll start to show signs of wear, with brushes getting tangled, sensors getting dirty and charging contacts failing to work as smoothly. The good news? You can fix all of that with just a few minutes of routine maintenance. With proper care and cleaning, your robot vacuum can last a long time, according to Stocking.
The lifespan of vacuum cleaners, according to a Consumer Reports survey, is on average eight years, depending on how often you use your vacuum and how regularly you maintain it. Robot vacuums are somewhat more complicated, with more moving parts like brushes, legs that help them get over obstacles and robotic arms to sort items. In some cases, they could last as long as a vacuum cleaner, but they can also be more prone to issues. If you’re unsure of when to replace or upgrade your vacuum or robot vacuum, follow our guide for warning signs.
How to clean your robot vacuum
If you’re unsure where to start cleaning your robot vacuum, reference the maintenance guide provided by the manufacturer. Your specific robot vacuum model may require specific care. That said, there is a fairly uniform cleaning routine, no matter the brand or style.
“Generally, maintenance includes cleaning or replacing air filters, inspecting and cleaning the brushes and rollers, and occasionally wiping down sensors located on the bottom of the robot, such as the cliff detect sensors and charging contacts,” Stocking said via email. “Modern, Wi-Fi-connected robot vacuums can also provide maintenance tips and reminders via the companion app, even offering health status updates on various components, such as filters and roller brushes.”
The Roborock Saros Z70, for instance, will notify you when the mopping brushes are worn down and need to be replaced, or when the sensors need to be cleaned.
How often should you clean out your robot vacuum?
Your robot vac likely came with a guide on the recommended cleaning frequency, but the timelines are usually consistent from model to model.
The frequency for robot vacuum maintenance procedures ranges:
- Daily: Emptying the bin, checking wheels for stuck debris.
- Weekly: Cleaning brush rolls and wheels.
- Monthly: Charging contacts and cliff sensors; removing and deep cleaning the brushes.
Stocking said iRobot specifically provides illustrated guidance on how to perform common maintenance procedures, which are available in the iRobot Home App. Other robot vac brands like Dreametech, Roborock and Eufy also provide extensive usual manuals that cover how best you should upkeep and maintain your device.
How to care for robot vacuum wheels
When robot vacuum wheels get grimy, caked with dirt or tangled with hair, they don’t turn as well, causing your little machine to move less efficiently and even scratch your floors.
To keep the wheels spinning:
- Check for any threads or hairs wrapped around the axles at least once a week.
- If there’s buildup, use a utility knife or scissors to cut the debris free.
Next, check to see if anything is stuck to the wheels. If you have kids or pets, there’s no end to the sticky gunk that can be run over and become caked to the bottom of a robot vacuum. If you find some, wipe the wheels down with a damp cloth. Clean wheels get better traction and prevent strain on the vacuum’s motor, which will ultimately extend the life of your machine.
How to clean a robot vacuum’s main brush
All robot vacuums — whether Roomba, Shark, Roborock, Dreame, Eureka, Eufy or another popular brand — have at least one main brush that pulls dirt, lint and hair into the dust chamber. Like the wheels, the main brush can get entangled with hair, strings and other debris. After every use, make sure to:
- Check the main brush and cut away anything wrapped around it.
- Be careful not to cut the bristles as you work.
Do a deep clean once a month by following these steps:
- Remove the main brush completely and hand wash it in warm water and mild dish soap.
- Give it a good rinse, then let it air dry fully before putting it back into the robot vacuum.
How to care for the robot vacuum side brush
The side brushes on a robot vacuum are smaller than the main brush and are tasked with pulling debris into the main brush’s reach. These smaller brushes will need some extra care to keep working well, too.
After a while, you may notice that these brushes become warped or even tangled. Luckily, you can straighten them back out without much effort.
Here’s a little hack I’ve worked out over the years: Heat the plastic bristles for a few seconds with a hair dryer set on high. Once they’re warm, coax the bristles back into position with your fingers. Hold them in position for a few seconds until they cool, which will set them back in place.
The bottom line
Whether you work from home, travel frequently, live alone or with a family and pets, robot vacuums are a convenient addition to your daily cleaning routine. They can make chores easier, but only if you’re willing to put in a little work to keep them running the right way. A few minutes of extra maintenance every week or so will keep your robot vacuum humming along for years to come, so you can make the very most of your robot vac investment.
For more vacuum tips, explore the best Roomba alternatives to keep your floors clean and the best robot vacuum deals available now. You can also explore the proper way to vacuum your floor.
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