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Advancements in technology have freed a number of people from dragging a bulky vacuum around their houses every time they need to do some cleanups, big or small. Nowadays, you can have a much more compact and lightweight machine that can work on its own.
Robot vacuums are the best choice for busy professionals, such as our editor Meredith Smith, who don't have time to get a vacuum out and guide it around their homes. Just let it map your flooring, and the machine can run on cleaning schedules you have set.
These automatic options are also a great gift for those who detest manual vacuuming. You can outsource the cleaning to them almost completely and have some free time to enjoy yourself.
These reasons have propelled robot vacuums into a new position in the vacuum cleaner market. Many households have adopted it, either as part of or the vacuuming solution.
However, these machines can't clean themselves, no matter how smart they are. You can outsource maintenance to anyone else. It is important to clean your robot vacuum regularly to keep it in good condition all the time. If you don't know how to do so, you have come to the right place.
How To Clean A Robot Vacuum
Dust Canister
Turn off the machine first. The dust canister is where you should start. You should already empty it every time you vacuum. But it is never unnecessary to get rid of any remaining debris and dirt in the canister of your vacuum.
Dump the content into a trash bin, then rinse it and let the canister air-dry completely before you attach it back into the main machine. Make sure there is no water in the canister. Otherwise, the debris and dirt collected will stick and clog it.
Some high-end models, like the iRobot S9+ and the iRobot Roomba i7+, are equipped with a self-emptying canister. These machines can deposit the collected debris into a bag at its base station after each cleaning session.
If you happen to own such robot vacuums, there is no need to empty the dust canister again. Just make sure you replace the bag at the base station if it is full.
Brush
The brush is the next component that deserves your attention. Like regular models, robot vacuums can pick up a wide array of debris, including strings, hair, and virtually anything on your floors.
Many of them can become tangled around the brush and restrict its movements. The problem can get serious, and the brush can't spin altogether, blocking the suction power completely.
If your pet sheds a lot, see our recommendations here: “The best shark vacuum for pet hair”.
Many robot vacuums come with removable brushes, which make maintenance much easier. Consult the manual of your robot vacuum to learn how to detach the brush safely.
After the brush has been removed from the vacuum, use your hands to remove any unwanted remnants. The manufacturer may provide some tools to pick them out too.
You can use a pair of tweezers or scissors to cut through strands of hair or string wrapping around the brush. Be mindful, and don't cut into the brush itself.
A robot vacuum may have some edge brushes in addition to the main one. They are more delicate and require extra care when you clean them.
If you have a problem with your Shark vacuum’s brush, follow the steps in this guide, “Dyson brush bar not spinning: how to troubleshoot & fix”.
Filters
Finally, clean the filters of your robot vacuum regularly. Depending on the specific model, you may need to check it after every few sessions.
Make sure the filters are clogged up. If there is any dust built up, tap the filters over a trash bin and dislodge the dirt with a soft brush.
If you have a handheld vacuum, it can be used for collecting the debris and dust from the filters too.
Sensors And Wheels
These parts often get overlooked by users of robot vacuums. They may not be the dirtiest in your machine. But they can malfunction too when there is too much dirt on them.
Your robot vacuum can carry the dirt caught in its wheels while vacuuming. It can't just drop some dirt into the floors but also make it harder for the machine to move around your home.
Your wheels can become too sluggish when they get tangled with strands of hair, for example. If you notice your vacuum has trouble maneuvering around, check the wheels and get rid of any debris with a cloth.
The same thing is also true for the sensors. They are the eyes and ears of your robot vacuum, allowing it to recognize items and obstructions along the cleaning path. The cleaning performance will get worse when the sensors can't work properly.
Wipe away dust on the sensors with a dry cloth. Only use a damp cloth if you run into some stubborn dirt. While you are at it, give the charging ports and pins a clean with a dry cloth too. This makes sure your robot vacuum can charge properly and doesn't run out of power in the middle of a cleaning session.
Finishing Touches
Wipe your vacuum's exterior with a dry cloth as well to clean any smudges. Use a damp cloth for stubborn marks. Check the power cord and base station and clean them like that too. Make sure that you have unplugged the station before cleaning it.
If your robot vacuum is a wet-dry model, maintenance of the mopping cloths and the water tank is essential.
After your cleaning session, ensure there is no residual water left in the tank. Give it a clean and let it dry before you put it back.
If your robot vacuum has disposable cloths, replace the dirty ones with clean cloths. But if your model uses reusable pads, take them off your machine and toss them into your washing machine. Follow the washing instructions from the manufacturer.
Conclusion
Above are the general tips on how to clean robot vacuums and keep them clean after several vacuuming sessions. You should keep a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to keep your vacuum operating at optimum performance. Some parts (like the filters and canister) may need a weekly clean, while the sensors and wheels can survive between longer periods.
Robot vacuums are the best choice for busy professionals, such as our editor Meredith Smith, who don't have time to get a vacuum out and guide it around their homes. Just let it map your flooring, and the machine can run on cleaning schedules you have set.
These automatic options are also a great gift for those who detest manual vacuuming. You can outsource the cleaning to them almost completely and have some free time to enjoy yourself.
These reasons have propelled robot vacuums into a new position in the vacuum cleaner market. Many households have adopted it, either as part of or the vacuuming solution.
However, these machines can't clean themselves, no matter how smart they are. You can outsource maintenance to anyone else. It is important to clean your robot vacuum regularly to keep it in good condition all the time. If you don't know how to do so, you have come to the right place.
How To Clean A Robot Vacuum
Dust Canister
Turn off the machine first. The dust canister is where you should start. You should already empty it every time you vacuum. But it is never unnecessary to get rid of any remaining debris and dirt in the canister of your vacuum.
Dump the content into a trash bin, then rinse it and let the canister air-dry completely before you attach it back into the main machine. Make sure there is no water in the canister. Otherwise, the debris and dirt collected will stick and clog it.
Some high-end models, like the iRobot S9+ and the iRobot Roomba i7+, are equipped with a self-emptying canister. These machines can deposit the collected debris into a bag at its base station after each cleaning session.
If you happen to own such robot vacuums, there is no need to empty the dust canister again. Just make sure you replace the bag at the base station if it is full.
Brush
The brush is the next component that deserves your attention. Like regular models, robot vacuums can pick up a wide array of debris, including strings, hair, and virtually anything on your floors.
Many of them can become tangled around the brush and restrict its movements. The problem can get serious, and the brush can't spin altogether, blocking the suction power completely.
If your pet sheds a lot, see our recommendations here: “The best shark vacuum for pet hair”.
Many robot vacuums come with removable brushes, which make maintenance much easier. Consult the manual of your robot vacuum to learn how to detach the brush safely.
After the brush has been removed from the vacuum, use your hands to remove any unwanted remnants. The manufacturer may provide some tools to pick them out too.
You can use a pair of tweezers or scissors to cut through strands of hair or string wrapping around the brush. Be mindful, and don't cut into the brush itself.
A robot vacuum may have some edge brushes in addition to the main one. They are more delicate and require extra care when you clean them.
If you have a problem with your Shark vacuum’s brush, follow the steps in this guide, “Dyson brush bar not spinning: how to troubleshoot & fix”.
Filters
Finally, clean the filters of your robot vacuum regularly. Depending on the specific model, you may need to check it after every few sessions.
Make sure the filters are clogged up. If there is any dust built up, tap the filters over a trash bin and dislodge the dirt with a soft brush.
If you have a handheld vacuum, it can be used for collecting the debris and dust from the filters too.
Sensors And Wheels
These parts often get overlooked by users of robot vacuums. They may not be the dirtiest in your machine. But they can malfunction too when there is too much dirt on them.
Your robot vacuum can carry the dirt caught in its wheels while vacuuming. It can't just drop some dirt into the floors but also make it harder for the machine to move around your home.
Your wheels can become too sluggish when they get tangled with strands of hair, for example. If you notice your vacuum has trouble maneuvering around, check the wheels and get rid of any debris with a cloth.
The same thing is also true for the sensors. They are the eyes and ears of your robot vacuum, allowing it to recognize items and obstructions along the cleaning path. The cleaning performance will get worse when the sensors can't work properly.
Wipe away dust on the sensors with a dry cloth. Only use a damp cloth if you run into some stubborn dirt. While you are at it, give the charging ports and pins a clean with a dry cloth too. This makes sure your robot vacuum can charge properly and doesn't run out of power in the middle of a cleaning session.
Finishing Touches
Wipe your vacuum's exterior with a dry cloth as well to clean any smudges. Use a damp cloth for stubborn marks. Check the power cord and base station and clean them like that too. Make sure that you have unplugged the station before cleaning it.
If your robot vacuum is a wet-dry model, maintenance of the mopping cloths and the water tank is essential.
After your cleaning session, ensure there is no residual water left in the tank. Give it a clean and let it dry before you put it back.
If your robot vacuum has disposable cloths, replace the dirty ones with clean cloths. But if your model uses reusable pads, take them off your machine and toss them into your washing machine. Follow the washing instructions from the manufacturer.
Conclusion
Above are the general tips on how to clean robot vacuums and keep them clean after several vacuuming sessions. You should keep a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to keep your vacuum operating at optimum performance. Some parts (like the filters and canister) may need a weekly clean, while the sensors and wheels can survive between longer periods.
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