Having a Roomba robot vacuum is a great way to cut down on your household chores. With that being said, you cannot just let your Roomba vacuum roam around your house and never maintain it.
This is a surefire way to end up with a broken vacuum much sooner than you would like.
Thankfully, cleaning a Roomba vacuum is a simple enough chore that takes significantly less time and effort than manually vacuuming your home regularly. In this guide, we will show you how to give your Roomba a deep clean to keep it working efficiently.
Materials You Will Need
There are a few things that you will need in order to properly deep clean your Roomba.
- A screwdriver. This will be used for removing and replacing parts of your Roomba. Your manual will tell you the type and size of screwdriver that you need.
- Your Roomba. You should make sure that the Roomba is charged before you begin to clean it.
- A soft brush or a vacuum with a hose attachment to help you clean the inside of your Roomba without causing damage.
- A small bowl or towel to catch dust and debris. A separate cloth should also be used to wipe down your Roomba components.
- Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the sensors on your Roomba.
Step By Step Guide To Cleaning Roomba
Step 1: Remove The Dustbin
The first step in cleaning your Roomba is to remove the dustbin. This should be a familiar process that happens each time the bin is full. Empty the contents of the dustbin into the trash.
As this is a deep clean, you will then need to use a brush or a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt residue that has remained inside the bin.
If you use a damp cloth, leave the bin in an area where it can dry out before you return it to the Roomba.
Step 2: Remove The Filter Cover, Filters, And Brushes
You will then need to use your screwdriver to remove the filter cover from your Roomba. Once you have done this, you will need to remove the filters and the brushes.
These will need to be cleaned thoroughly in order to keep your Roomba working as efficiently as possible.
Step 3: Clean Filters And Brushes
In order to properly clean your Roomba filters and brushes, you will need to first remove any excess dirt or debris.
This can be done with a cloth. You should then rinse them under warm water to remove the rest of the dust and dirt that may have accumulated. Make sure that these parts are completely dry before you replace them.
Failing to make sure they are dry can damage your Roomba.
Step 4: Remove Any Dust Or Dirt
Once you have removed and cleaned the filters and brushes, you can remove any dust or dirt that has accumulated inside your Roomba. This can be done with a brush or with another vacuum cleaner that has a hose attachment.
If you come across any sensors within this compartment, you can use alcohol to clean them.
Step 5: Clean The Roomba’s Sensors
As we briefly mentioned above, the sensors on your Roomba should be cleaned using Isopropyl alcohol. This will help to remove any build-up of dust, dirt, and grease.
Make sure that the sensors are completely dry before you reassemble your Roomba.
Keeping the sensors of your Roomba clean is essential for maintaining the functionality of the product.

Step 6: Clean The Roomba’s Wheels
The wheels of your Roomba can get incredibly dirty as they roll across your floors. If the dirt is allowed to build up, it can end up transferring back to your floor and not leaving your home as clean as it could be.
To clean the wheels of your Roomba, pop the wheel covers off using your screwdriver. Using a cloth and some warm, soapy water, rub off any dirt that has built up on them.
Again, you will need to make sure that they are fully dry before replacing the cover.
Keeping your Roomba’s wheels clean will help it to move more efficiently which can help prolong its battery life.
Step 7: Clean The Roomba’s Battery
The battery of your Roomba should also be cleaned a couple of times a year. This is to make sure that it is in good condition and continues to function as it should.
To clean your Roomba battery, remove it from the vacuum. Wipe the battery over with a cloth that has isopropyl alcohol on it. This will remove any dirt or residue from the surface. Again, make sure it is dry before replacing it to avoid damage.
Step 8: Reassemble Your Roomba
Once you have cleaned all the components and they are completely dry, you can reassemble your Roomba. The vacuum should now work more efficiently and will last longer.
Final Thoughts
Having a robot vacuum such as a Roomba is a great way to take some of the stress out of maintaining your home. However, in order for the Roomba to do its job effectively, it also needs to be maintained.
Regular deep cleaning is the easiest way to get the most out of your Roomba.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to clean your Roomba for the same reason you clean anything in your home. Removing dirt and debris from the machine means that it can function as it should for as long as possible.
If you let the dirt inside your Roomba build up, it can lead to malfunctions or loss of movement, suction, or battery life.
As a general rule, you should set aside time to clean your Roomba every two weeks. This is assuming that you use the vacuum daily.
If you have pets in your home or it gets particularly messy, you should clean it more often.
Thankfully, you don’t need to do a full, deep clean every two weeks but checking for debris and emptying the bin is necessary. You should aim to wash your filters monthly to keep the Roomba running as it should.