Robot vacuum maintenance guide: what to clean, and how often

A robot vacuum only stays hands-free if you spend a few minutes a week on it. We pulled the maintenance schedules from Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, iRobot, eufy and Narwal, and turned them into one plan, with the extra jobs that mop docks need and what Australian hard water means for your robot. Checked 14 October 2026.

By Domestic Robot · Editor: Christian Ganaban · Updated 14 October 2026

Researched, not testedThis guide is based on manufacturer information, Australian retailer listings and independent sources, all linked below. We haven't used these robots ourselves yet.

Quick answer

Weekly: pull hair off the main brush, tap out or rinse the filter (if it's washable) and empty the bin if your robot has no self-emptying dock. Monthly: wipe the cliff sensors, camera and charging contacts, clean the wheels and side brush, and wash the dock's dirty-water tank. Replace: side brushes every 3–6 months, filters every 2–6 months, main brushes every 6–12 months and mop pads every 1–3 months. Use only the maker's cleaning solution in a mop dock: several brands say vinegar, bleach or other detergents can damage parts or void the warranty.

The maintenance schedule at a glance

Part	Clean	Replace
Main brush	Remove hair weekly (twice a week with pets)	6–12 months
Side brush	Clean every 2–4 weeks	3–6 months
Filter	Tap out or rinse weekly to fortnightly, if washable	2–6 months
Bin (no dock)	After each run, or every 2–3 runs	—
Mop pads or roller	Wash after use, unless the dock washes them	1–3 months
Dock dust bag	When full or the app prompts	Typically every 7 weeks to 3 months
Dock dirty-water tank	After mopping runs to monthly	—
Dock clean-water tank	Rinse every 1–3 months	—
Sensors, camera, charging contacts	Wipe monthly	—
Wheels and caster	Clear hair every 2–4 weeks	Caster about 12 months (iRobot)

Ranges combine the published schedules of iRobot, Roborock, Ecovacs, eufy, Dreame and Narwal (sources below). Your robot's manual and app counters take priority. Heavy pet hair, long hair and big homes push you to the short end.

How the brands differ

Brand	Main brush	Filter	Sensors	Dock
Roborock	Every 2 weeks	Washable: every 2 weeks	Monthly	Dust bag about every 7 weeks
Ecovacs (T50 Omni)	Weekly	Weekly; replace 3–6 months	About monthly	Dirty tank monthly, clean tank every 3 months
Dreame	Weekly to monthly	Rinse monthly; replace 3–6 months	Monthly to every 2 months	Scale inhibitor checked every 18–36 months
iRobot	Weekly	Weekly; replace every 2 months	Monthly	—
eufy	Weekly	Weekly; replace every 6 months or 50 runs	Monthly	—
Narwal	Check weekly	Monthly; replace every 2 months; don't wash paper or HEPA filters	Monthly	—

Intervals as each brand states them in its manual, support pages or Australian blog, checked 14 October 2026. Roborock's figures are from its Q Revo, Qrevo MaxV and S8+ manuals; Ecovacs's from the Australian T50 Omni manual.

The one rule to check before you rinse anything: not every filter is washable. Narwal says not to wash paper or HEPA filters, and Dreame says to air-dry rinsed parts for 24 hours before refitting them. A damp filter can smell and clog.

Mop docks: keeping them clean and smelling fresh

Self-washing mop docks hold dirty water, and dirty water starts to smell in an Australian summer. Dreame suggests emptying the dirty-water tank after each mopping session; Ecovacs's T50 Omni manual says to clean it monthly. Rinse the wash tray and its filter whenever you empty the tank, and leave the lid open to dry if your dock allows it. CHOICE also notes that dust left in a self-emptying base can become smelly or unhygienic over time, so don't leave a full bag sitting for months.

Cleaning solutions: stick to the maker's own. Roborock says to use only Roborock cleaning solutions; Ecovacs says the same and warns on its Australian blog that a vinegar mix may corrode internal parts and an incorrect solution might void the warranty. Narwal says problems caused by other brands' detergent aren't covered by its warranty, and iRobot says unauthorised solutions and vinegar void the warranty on its mopping robots. Genuine solutions cost more; our running costs guide has the prices.

Hard water and limescale

Mop docks and water tanks scale up in hard-water areas. SA Water classes water above 200 mg/L as hard and says it can cause scaling in appliances; it's more likely where supply comes mainly from groundwater. Water Corporation says Perth's metropolitan supply meets national hardness guidelines, while country customers on groundwater are more likely to have hard water.

What the brands say: Ecovacs recommends a tank-cleaning solution or a replacement tank if limescale builds up; Dreame docks with a scale inhibitor need it checked every 18–36 months depending on use; and Roborock says the water filter on its older S6 mop should be replaced every 1–3 months depending on water quality. None of the brands we checked recommends distilled water, so don't assume it's required.

Batteries, storage and heat

Leaving a robot on its dock is fine: Roborock says it stops charging when full. iRobot recommends charging at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and putting the robot into storage mode (or removing the battery) if you'll be away for weeks. Ecovacs says to fully charge and switch off before storage and recharge every 1.5 months; Dreame says to top up removable batteries at least every three months in storage. Ecovacs also warns not to place the station in direct sunlight, which matters if your dock sits by a west-facing window.

Batteries wear out eventually regardless. See how long robot vacuums last for lifespans and warranties.

Firmware and app reminders

Keep firmware up to date: updates fix bugs and security holes as well as adding features. iRobot downloads updates only when the robot is docked and not cleaning, which can take up to 24 hours. Ecovacs says some devices get updates every two months, while older models receive only critical security fixes, which is worth knowing before you buy an old model on clearance. Our robot vacuum privacy guide covers the security side. Most apps also count down consumable life; treat those counters as reminders to inspect, not orders to buy.

Hair wrapped around the brush is the most common maintenance job with pets; our best robot vacuums for pet hair favours tangle-resistant brushes. Mop robots need the most upkeep at the dock: compare docks in our best robot vacuum and mop combos.

Common questions

How often should I clean my robot vacuum?

Clear hair from the main brush and clean the filter weekly, and wipe the sensors, wheels and charging contacts monthly. Homes with pets or long hair need the brush cleaned twice a week (iRobot, eufy).

How often should I replace robot vacuum filters and brushes?

Brands say filters every 2–6 months, side brushes every 3–6 months and main brushes every 6–12 months.

Can I put vinegar in my robot vacuum's mop tank?

Not unless the maker approves it. Ecovacs warns vinegar may corrode internal parts, and iRobot says vinegar will void its warranty. Roborock and Narwal say to use only their own solutions.

Why does my robot vacuum dock smell?

Usually dirty water or damp mop pads. Empty the dirty-water tank after mopping or at least monthly, rinse the wash tray, and let pads dry. Replace pads every 1–3 months.

Should I use distilled water in my robot mop?

None of the brands we checked requires it. In hard-water areas, watch for limescale and follow your brand's descaling advice.

Sources

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