How To Clean Robot Vacuum Cleaner?

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A robot vacuum helps you to maintain a spotless house without any hard work. Modern automated cleaners are available with all the high-end features, including laser-based navigation sensors and voice control.

Still, most of the users forget to maintain their cleaners. But, it’s better to clean the vacuum at least once a week or more frequently, depending upon your usage.

Steps To Clean The Robot Vacuum Cleaner

If you don’t know how to clean robot vacuum cleaners, then read the steps discussed here. Curated by the experts, these tips will add more years to your robotic vacuum.

Remove All The Air


The most common waste that a vacuum collects from your house is hair. It could be both pet and human. So, the first step is to remove this fur. Otherwise, it can interfere with the airflow that will eventually degrade the robot’s suction power.

Almost all robot vacuum comes with a blade-like tool or comb that helps you in hair removal. If this instrument is ineffective, we suggest using a kitchen or a pair of scissors. The knife allows you to remove all the hair from crevices, and the blade cuts it loose.

Put the robot on its back, pull the strand gently and slice it using the knife. Check all the grooves and get rid of hair or any waste that can be a problem in the future. The side brushes can also trap a lot of hair, which might disturb their spinning. Hence, these brushes cannot sweep the corners to keep your house floors dust-free.

Take out the side brushes and pull all the strands. If you notice any of the brushes are deformed, then drag to straighten them. Check the manufacturer’s manual to know the proper process to clean the side brushes and other parts of your robot.

If you cannot clean the brushes or they are end of life, then replace them. Some of the best value robot vacuums include spare brushes in the package.

Clear The Sensors


Here comes another essential step in the cleaning process of your vacuum. Keeping the robot’s sensors clean is crucial because they are its eyes. Do you want the device to fall down the stairs? If not, then do not allow to accumulate dirt or dust on its sensors.

Check the manual to find its sensors. If you cannot access the booklet, then visit the manufacturer’s website to find their location. Some of the robots come with specific instructions. For instance, iRobot asks you to clean its sensors using melamine foam. But, for most of the models, you need a clean and dry cloth.

You don’t have to use water or any cleaning agent. Wipe all the sensors to make sure there are no dust particles. If you notice any accumulation, then we suggest you use a damp fabric.

Inspect The Wheels


The robot vacuum deals with a lot of dirt and wastage. So, there are high chances that waste like hair or similar strands can stick on its wheels. So, remove if you notice any debris inside the wheel or its cavity. Remove the wheels if required.

If you cannot remove the wheels, it’s better to use a knife and remove all the unwanted elements. Do not unscrew the wheels because there are chances that this action might void its warranty.

Remove The Unusual Stuff


Do you have pets? In an unfortunate incident, your vacuum can unintentionally spread its vomit or even the poop. If your cleaner commits such a crime, then don’t expect an apology.

Remove the dust container of your vacuum, side brushes or any other removable part and wipe them using melamineor any other non-corrosive cleaning agent. You can use a sponge for this job.

You can wash the bin using water, but make sure it’s dry before reattaching. Apart from that, you can use isopropyl alcohol wipes. Don’t apply anything that can damage the surface of your vacuum. Use a damp sponge. Otherwise, the water can enter the cleaner’s internal system to destroy it.

Filter Maintenance


Clean the vacuum’s filter after every 5 to 10 cleaning sessions. Or you can check it after every other week. Take the filter out of your robot and tap it into the dust bin to release all the dust.

You can also try a handheld vacuum to clean it. If you don’t have access to a vacuum, then try a soft toothbrush. Replace the filter if it’s wet. Most of the filters are made of paper, which will be damaged due to water.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do you need to empty the robot vacuum?

The emptying duration depends upon the size of your house. However, we suggest that you empty the vacuum’s bin every two days, primarily if you use it every day. If you own a small flat, then the frequency could be after every four days. But why would you want to keep the dust inside your house for even a day? So, empty the bin every day. It hardly takes a minute or two.

Are cleaning robots worth it?

An automated vacuum does not need repeated inputs from its user. So, the device allows you to enjoy more time working or with the family. Plus, these components are compact and takes less storage space. Moreover, there are multiple other features like voice control and app support that are not available in general vacuums. Due to all these functions, such cleaning machines are expensive. So, not maintaining the robot reduces its life, and it will ask for early repairs or part replacements. So, if you want to save your investment and keep using the vacuum for many more years to come, it’s better to clean the device regularly.

What is the best budget robot vacuum UK?

Well, you can find a lot of budget robot vacuums in the UK, but ECOVACS Robotics DEEBOT N79S is one of the best. It has an efficient suction and HELIX brush for effective cleaning results. This automated cleaner supports Alexa and Google Assistance. Plus, it possesses a Lithium battery that offers a runtime of up to 120 minutes.

Bottom Line


Robotic vacuums are perfect for keeping your house floors clean. But, they also need some maintenance to function correctly.

After knowing how to clean robot vacuum cleaners, now you can efficiently service your automated device and enjoy maximum performance. Happy cleaning, we will see you again.

About Sakibul Islam

Sakibul is a product reviews analyst at the Houzhold, where he research, compare, review and writes about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining Houzhold in 2023, he graduated from National University with a Master's degree in business management and accounting.