After thoroughly cleaning your Roomba’s brushes and wiping its charging contacts and IR sensors, you can pat yourself on the shoulder, but what about the wheels. A robot vacuum’s wheels’ are the most neglected part during cleaning and maintenance. A Roomba has three caster wheels, and if you look closely at the one in front, you are likely to see plenty of hair on its axle. The compartments that house the side wheels also have large clumps of dust lodged inside them.
You should check on your Roomba’s wheels at least once every week. If you continue to ignore them, you may hear a herky-jerky movement from it as it cleans your floors. Make a habit of flipping the Roomba over and properly cleaning its wheels. This article has all the hints and tricks on how to clean Roomba side wheels. The cleaning directions apply to almost all Roomba robot vacuums, but you can get specific instructions for your model on the iRobot support site.
For some people, robot vacuums are almost a part of the family Trusted Source Helpful Robot Alters Family Life | NSF - National Science Foundation NSF’s mission is to advance the progress of science, a mission accomplished by funding proposals for research and education made by scientists, engineers, and educators from across the country. www.nsf.gov , thus regular maintenance of this device, can actually improve its effectiveness around the house. The cleaning process is not sophisticated, and thus you will only need a few tools;
The side wheels are the two wheels that have rubber tracks flanking the main brush roll. If you clean the Roomba’s wheels regularly, you don’t have to remove the entire wheel assembly. If you don’t, follow the steps below to remove and clean your side wheels.
The first step of removing the Roomba’s side wheels is to remove the side brush. Use the standard Phillips screwdriver to loosen the bolt that holds the side brush, then store it in the ziplock bag.
After removing the side brush, you can remove the base plate by loosening the four bolts that hold it.
Grab the smaller Phillips screwdriver and loosen the three bolts that hold each side wheel in place. It would be best to have a screwdriver set for this task to avoid stripping the screws’ heads with ill-fitting drivers. After undoing all three bolts, pull the wheel assembly gently. You don’t have to loosen the bolts all the way, do it just enough to extract the wheels.
After extracting the wheels, inspect all of their parts and clean them. Remove all the hairs trapped on them, then use a clean, dry towel to wipe it clean. Ensure the towel is dry to avoid corroding the electrical and metallic components around it. After a thorough cleaning, replace the wheel assembly. Follow the steps in reverse to place them back correctly.
If you find wheel tires being worn out, you can watch this video guide to replace them:
The caster wheel is the part that steers the robot vacuum. It can get filled up with dirt, which may hamper its movement. Luckily, cleaning it is such a breeze.
First off, flip your Roomba over on a flat surface. Next is removing the wheel, and you won’t need any tools. Simply pull out the caster wheel assembly by grabbing it at the edges and tugging. It should come out easily.
After removing the wheel from the caster assembly, remove all the hair wrapped around the axle. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe down the wheel. You can use compressed air to remove dust and dirt if you don’t want to use a dry dust cloth.
Also, wipe down the wheel compartment and the top of the wheel housing where the stem is. If there is grime sticking on its surface, use a wet towel to remove it.
Remember to wipe the base where the wheel is attached, as it is a good hiding spot for dust and dirt. When you are done, snap the wheel back into its assembly and keep pushing it until the stem clicks.
The caster wheel on your Roomba is not made to last forever. According to iRobot, you should replace the canister wheel at least once every year. You can easily get a replacement from Amazon and use the steps above to replace it. The Color tree right-left drive wheel module pair for iRobot Roomba is a prime example. The wheels are super easy to install and disassemble, and they are compatible with over 15 Roomba models.
If you are on a tight budget and need a robot vacuum with great value for money, read our article on the best robot vacuums under $200. The iRobot Roomba 692 is currently the most popular and highly acclaimed Roomba on the market. It is incredibly versatile and easy to use as it learns to listen to your voice, and its 3-stage cleaning system combined with the dual multi-surface brushes can clean virtually all types of floors.
The wheels are the most neglected parts of a robot vacuum cleaner is a cleaning and maintenance routine Trusted Source Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Market by Size, Share, Forecasts, & Trends Analysis The Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.2% from 2021 to 2028 to reach $15.4 billion by 2028 from $3.58 billion in 2021. www.meticulousresearch.com . Our guide has clear directions on how to clean a roomba’s wheels, both the caster wheel and the side wheels. Cleaning a Roomba is much easier compared to cleaning a standard Dyson vacuum or robot mop. In case you need a robot mop or a Dyson vacuum and have no idea what parameters to look for, check out our articles on the best robot mops and the best Dyson vacuums.
Generally, your Roomba will be in top form if you clean and maintain all its parts regularly. You should detox your Roomba with a slightly more in-depth cleaning for which you may need a screwdriver. This should be combined with a basic maintenance routine after every cleaning cycle to keep the Roomba at tip-top shape.
