Roomba – How to Clean it to Make it Work Like New Again

Hello all!  Last year I shared my Roomba review with you guys and I’m happy to say that after a year, I still love it.  It does require a bit of upkeep so I thought I’d share with you how to clean your Roomba and getting looking and working like new again.  I remember before I bought mine I wanted to know more about the upkeep of this little thing, so I wrote this post thinking maybe this will help you if you are trying to decide on a new vacuum. Our floors tend to get very dirty.  That is why we decided to get the Roomba in the first place.  With two wild and messy kids and three dogs that have their own dog door allowing them to bring in the outdoors anytime, we desperately needed help keeping dirt off the floors.  Because of this, the Roomba can get dirty fast.  Keeping it clean and fresh keeps my floors clean and fresh.  First up, you’ll need to gather a few things, paper towels, cleaner, q-tips, toothpicks, scissors and a coin.
How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

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Every day that it runs, you’ll probably have to empty the dust bin.  The first couple of days you run the Roomba, you’ll probably have to empty it way more, but now I empty it maybe once a day and it goes all day while the kids are at school.  Whenever I empty the bin, I shake off the filter as well.

I should note that I have the 980 model.  Other models make look a bit different or have a slightly different part.  If you order new parts, make sure that you order parts to match your model.

About once a week, when I empty the dust bin, I check to make sure the dust extractors don’t have too much hair wrapped around them.  If they do, I use scissors to cut the dirt and hair off.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

I also pop the ends off the ends of the extractors to get the hair out of that area as well.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

I then check the side brush.  Using my coin, I take it off and unwrap any hair that is built up under there. If the side brush stops working because of build-up than it significantly reduces the effectiveness of the Roomba.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

About once a month, I replace the filter, cause that thing gets gross fast.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

I also rinse out the dust bin when I replace the filter.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

Also, about once a month I clean off all the sensors.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

The sensors do things like make sure the Roomba doesn’t go off the sides of things, making sure the dirt is all picked up and connecting with the charger base so it’s kind of important to keep those babies clean.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

 

About every three months, I replace the dust extractors and the side brush. Whenever I do this, I see a huge improvement.  You might not need to do this so often, but that’s about when mine need to be replaced.  I also wipe down the outside and make sure to clean in all the little crooks and crevices.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

 

The toothpicks are perfect for cleaning out the wheel treads.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

When you clean the wheels off, you might also check the little front wheel at the top of the vacuum. If it has a piece of dirt or something on it, it can mark the floor.  The wheels and ball are usually the culprit if you are seeing weird marks on the floor, so make sure to do a quick check on those things when you clean it.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

The front wheel can get dirt and hair stuck around it as well, so you should pop that off and check under it every so often as well.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

The last thing to check is the charger.  Make sure the sensors are clean and dust free about once a month, or as needed if the Roomba isn’t charging correctly.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

There you go!  It’s quick and easy to keep clean and really helps the Roomba preform at it’s best.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

In addition to replacing the dust extractors, side brush and air filter you can also buy a new front wheel/castor assembly, new wheels or a new dust bin.  I haven’t had to replace any of those things yet, but it’s nice to know I don’t have to replace the whole vacuum if I break something minor.

Grab a free printable schedule HERE.

How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

Do you have a Roomba, or have any other tips I didn’t mention?  Sound off below!


Thanks for stopping by!

April

How to Clean Your Roomba

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How to Clean Your Roomba - with Free Printable Schedule! UncookieCutter.com

 

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5 Comments

  1. I usually clean my Roomba once a week because during the week it is programmed to clean according to schedule. I find it much easier to clean it every week because it reduces the amount of time I will spend cleaning it if I wait for a lot of dirt to collect or for it to start showing signs of slowing down. Since I have a dog who is always shading hair, I always find hair that if left for long will eventually block the sensor. I cannot wait for an improved version that will clean itself. I’m talking about the Roomba.

      1. I have never cleaned an upright vacuum unless to empty bag or bin.. n
        Not my favorite vacuum. To many parts to keep up with.

  2. This is s helpful! My roomba is put away till after the kitchen remodel and then she’s getting a spring cleaning before getting back to work ?

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