Your robot vacuum cleaner provides valuable help in the household: it curves here and there, picks up the dirt - and a little always gets stuck. Even with the best model, not everything ends up in the suction container. The result: unpleasant deposits that, in the worst case, put your faithful helper out of action. To prevent this from happening, good care is important. Find out here what is involved.

Cleaning the robot vacuum cleaner ensures a long service life

A well-cleaned robot vacuum not only cleans better, it also works longer. If it is checked regularly and cleaned when necessary, damage to the device can be avoided. Fortunately, you don't need a workshop to do this, you can do it all by yourself. All you need is a damp cloth and a pair of household gloves.

A well-maintained robot vacuum

• sucks better
• saves electricity
• works longer

The most important thing is regularity. It alone guarantees the full functionality of your device. Allow your helper regular maintenance, then it can also support you longer.

Tip: Read the user manual. There you will find more details about your device. In particular, you will find out which parts of your device can be removed. Such flexible parts are of course easier to clean.

This is why regular cleaning is important

A poorly maintained robot vacuum not only looks unsightly. It also provides a breeding ground for germs, which is something you probably want least of all with such a device. In addition, the suction power decreases: This means that the robot vacuum cleaner no longer works properly. This is most noticeable when the suction container is full. But even more parts can affect the performance of the robot in case of massive dirt. Two types of cleaning can be distinguished: Those that should be done regularly at short intervals. In addition, there are those that also need to be checked regularly, but only from time to time.

Regular cleaning at short intervals:

• Dust collectors: collect dust
• Filters: clean air that has been blown out
• Brushes / lamellas: pick up dirt and direct it towards the suction opening
• Suction opening: sucks in the dirt
• Underside of the housing

From time to time check

• all wheels including wheel housing
• Contacts for charging

Most parts should be cleaned regularly. This is because each of them serves its purpose, and the robot vacuum can only function perfectly if all components work together. For example, if the suction power drops, the robot draws an unnecessary amount of power. In addition, it then leaves behind a dirty floor, which runs counter to its purpose. Regular cleaning is therefore an essential part of caring for your suction device.

Emptying the suction container

As with the old vacuum cleaner, this is the number one rule: always make sure there is enough space in the suction container. Depending on the area you're cleaning and how dirty it is, you may not need to do this after every vacuum run. Gradually, you will also get a feel for when the suction performance deteriorates massively - then, at the latest, it is time for this step.

Simplest method: Remove the suction container and empty it directly into the waste container. Then wash the container with hot water to kill germs and bacteria. Be sure to dry the container well before inserting it.

Clean filter

The filters that clean the air blown out can also be removed from many models. If this is the case, then wash them out regularly as well. However, if it is not possible, clean the filters mechanically. Make sure to replace the filters regularly here.

Brushes / fins

They catch the dirt and direct it to where you want it: Into the suction tank. In the process, however, some dirt naturally gets caught in the brushes. Therefore, they also require regular thorough cleaning. Otherwise, they become a favorite place for germs and bacteria.

Of course, you can also use cleaning aids - but the most effective method is cleaning by hand. This is the only way to ensure thorough cleaning, especially of problematic materials such as hair. If you wash your hands very thoroughly afterwards, there is nothing to be said against this method. Because lamellae are smoother, not as much dirt gets caught in them. Therefore, it is sufficient to wipe them with a damp cloth.

Suction opening

Although it is rare, it cannot be completely ruled out: The suction opening can also become clogged - after all, dirt regularly passes through this narrow opening. You can counteract this with good care: regular checking and cleaning ensures a well-functioning device.

Bottom side of the housing

Often neglected, but very important: the underside of your robot vacuum. Deposits are mainly found here. This is also logical, because the underside of the robot constantly moves over dirty floors. Therefore, make sure that there are no deposits here: They are not only unsightly, they also harbor germs and thus ensure reduced hygiene when vacuuming.

Therefore, wipe the underside of the housing regularly with a damp cloth. The more often you do this, the less chance germs and bacteria have!

Less often, but still regularly, you should turn your attention to two other components of your robot vacuum. These are the wheels and the contact points for charging. Both run the risk of not functioning properly if there is too much debris.

Wheels and wheel wells

If too much dirt is deposited on the wheels, this can be fatal. If the wheels no longer function properly, there is a risk of malfunction. The front wheel, for example, is used for steering, so that your robot vacuum becomes unable to steer in the event of a blockage. While it would otherwise simply turn away in the event of an obstacle, this is no longer possible.

Therefore, this wheel in particular should be free of dirt. But the other wheel wells should also be checked from time to time, because massive dirt can settle in them as well. It's best not to let it get that far in the first place - maintain and clean your robot vacuum right down to the wheel wells.

Contacts for the charging process

They are often forgotten when it comes to cleaning the robot vacuum. However, deposits damage them as well: As a result, the sensitivity of the contacts is lost. As a result, your robot vacuum will take longer and longer to charge, until at some point the charging process no longer works at all.