If you want your robot vacuum to be smart in cleaning, you must take care of it smartly. And the chief maintenance tip is to give it a regular, thorough cleaning. Generally, the majority of robot vacuums come with a user manual with cleaning tips and instructions. But if it is not, scroll down and learn how to clean a robot vacuum.
The timely cleaning of your robotic vacuum will keep its suction power at its highest. Further, when you have made all of its parts debris and dust free, they will work smoothly. Also, it will be able to navigate better.
Besides being delicate, robot vacuums are simple, and you can easily remove some parts to clean them thoroughly. Below are the parts which require regular cleaning to make a robot vacuum working smart;
- Dust Bin
- Filters
- Brush Rolls and Side Brushes
- Sensors
- Wheels
- Charging Port
- Casing
Why thorough Cleaning of a Robot Vacuum is Important?
Every electronic tool, whether corded or battery-powered, requires proper maintenance to get the maximum out of it. Similarly, if you don’t clean your Robot daily or every second week, then;
- It may lose its suction and will not clean deeply
- It may disturb navigation and may not respond to the hurdles
- The floor sensors may fail to recognize the surfaces and stairs
- The untangling ability may be lost, which, as a result, will cause blockage.
- There will be more pressure on the motor; however, some models do not even start when they reach a certain level of clogging.
Cleaning Guide of a Robotic Vacuum
When ready to dissemble and clean every bit of your robot vacuum, power it off and remove the battery.
Collect the Tools
Many robot vacuums come with the cleaning tools like blades, brushes, combs, pointed rods, etc. But if this is not the case with your vacuum, then get
- Trash can
- Soft microfiber cloth
- Screwdriver
- Small scissors
- Tweezers
- Soft-bristled brush
- Dishwashing liquid
Cleaning the Dustbin of the Robot Vacuum
The most important thing affecting a robot vacuum’s performance is the dustbin’s level of trash. Robot vacuums have a tiny dustbin of about 0.6 liters or even less. Thus, it is advised to empty it before or after every use.
In fact, for large houses or with 2, or 3 kids and pets, you may have to clear every room.
Pull it straight from the underside or center of the vacuum to clean it. Throw the trash into the trash can even if it is not filled. Then wipe the vacuum bin with a soft cloth or de-dust with a soft brush.
You may also wash it with a liquid dish wash if it has dust cakes. Further, if your robot sweeper has a docking station, then wash your bin and clear the docking station.
Cleaning the Air Filter
The air filters are the main part of the vacuum bin, absorbing dust and smaller particles.
To enhance their absorbing capacity, clean them by giving some taps over the garbage can. In this way, you may dislodge the debris from the filter.
We recommend using a handheld vacuum to suck dust from the filters. This tip will not release the dust back into the air.
If the filters are washable, then do that rather than dry clean. Otherwise, replace it with the new one if it has been there for two months.
Cleaning of Brush Rolls
The brush rolls loosen the dirt on the floor and help in suction. But the hair and strings are stubborn and get tangled around them instead of going to the dustbin.
To clear the roller brush, remove them from the vacuum and carefully cut the layers of clutters with the scissors or blade. Then, pull them out and clean the brush with a comb to bring out more remains.
But using a handheld vacuum is always the preferred option once you have removed the tangles. After cleaning the rollers, wipe out the brush cavity too.
Cleaning of Side Brushes
Now, add one more step to cleaning a robot vacuum if you own a smart one; cleaning rotating side brushes.
To clean the side brushes, pop them off, and remove the buildups from the base. After that, wipe the brushes from the root to the tip side.
Cleaning of Robots Sensors
The robot vacuums are called Smart because of their sensors. These sensors help in room navigation and cliff recognition for stairs.
If you feel any unusual bumping, it is time to wipe the sensors. Now, confirm the location of the sensors from the user manual and wipe them gently with a microfiber cloth.
You can use a dampened cloth to clear harder spots.
Cleaning of Vacuum Wheels
A robot vacuum is moveable in multiple directions because its wheels are located at the center and front.
Although the structure of the wheels does not require much care, it is better to clear up the buildups timely for smooth movement. Then, you need to pluck out the stuff with the help of tweezers and wipe out the wheels.
Cleaning of Charging and Docking Port
Sometimes the dust buildup on the ports may badly affect the connection between the base and the vacuum. To avoid that, clean the ports with a damped microfiber cloth.
Reinstall the Parts
If you have cleaned all the parts of your robotic vacuum, then make sure that the wet parts are completely dry. Now it is time to put them back, and your Robot is ready for the next vacuuming task.
Let Your Robot Vacuum Always Look New – Cleaning Tips
For a robot vacuum cleaner, the meaning of cleaning is wider than wiping and washing only. It means to care for every part of it in the way your vacuum always looks “Just Unpacked.”
And to get this, you should follow the below-enlisted tips.
- Replace the Filters after every two months. Also, you can consult the product handbook for the replacement period.
- Replace the Roller Brushes after every six months because the striking of bristles damages them.
- When the battery is fully charged, remove it and keep it dry.
- Replace the side brushes when they look bent or damaged.
- Swipe the location of the side brushes to avoid bending to one side.
- Do not use any cleaning solution to clean the sensors because the solution’s chemicals may react with the sensors’ surface.
- Clean the vacuum casing with the microfiber cloth damped in a cleaning solution. Then wipe it with water damped cloth. In this way, your vacuum will revive its shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Clean Roomba i7?
You can clean your Roomba i7, as we have mentioned above. Similarly, Roombas are smarter vacuums and have a self-emptied bin for 60 days. So you have to clean the docking station in the way you clean the bin.
How often should I clean my Robot vacuum?
All the robot vacuum manufacturers recommend cleaning it thoroughly once a week. But if you have a house with kids and pets, then the debris level is about double. And thus, it will require cleaning twice a week to give you the best vacuuming results.
Summary – How to Clean a Robot Vacuum
If we summarize the above guide, it says weekly cleaning of a robot vacuum allows it to clean smartly. Moreover, with proper maintenance, it may last longer than its prescribed life.
You need 5 to 10 minutes to clean the dustbin, air filter, brush rolls and side brushes, sensors, wheels, and charging port. Reassemble it only when every washed or wet part is completely dry.
Furthermore, your robot vacuum will always look fresh with the timely replacement of parts.