Roomba Maintenance Made Easy: The Ultimate Guide to Effortlessly Emptying Your Robot Vacuum

Emptying a Roomba bin, bag or Clean Base

Roomba robot vacuums are equipped with easily removable internal dustbins, making the process of emptying them a breeze. To ensure optimal functionality, it is recommended to empty the Roomba's dustbin after each cleaning cycle. In this guide, we will demonstrate the proper method for emptying a Roomba bin. Additionally, for those utilizing self-emptying Roombas, we will explain how to clean both the Roomba bag and the Roomba Clean Base dock.

How to empty a Roomba bin

Step 1: Locate the bin and its release button 

The Roomba dustbins are typically positioned at the rear of the robot, opposite the bumper (the side facing away from the charging dock). Look for the release button, which may be located on top of or adjacent to the bin and could feature a trash icon label.

Step 2: Press the release button and remove the bin

To release the bin, simply press the release button located on it. If your model has top buttons, the bin will smoothly slide out. For models with side buttons, the bin will pop out and can be removed by pulling it outward.

Step 3: Empty the bin’s contents into the trash

It is common for Roomba bins to have gates that prevent accidental spillage. Lift the tabs on these gates to open them. Empty the contents of the bin into a garbage or trash can. If needed, shake or tap the bin to ensure all the dirt is removed.

Roomba bins have filters that can be removed, either located inside or on the side. Shake out the dust and dirt from these filters by tapping them over a trash receptacle. Remember not to wash the filters.

The dustbins of many Roombas can be rinsed in water. It is important to check if your model’s bin supports this. However, avoid using soap or detergent. After rinsing, ensure that the bins are completely dry before replacing their filters and putting them back into your Roomba.

Step 4: Remove and clean the filter

Roomba bins have removable filters, located inside or on the side. Remove these filters and tap them over a trash receptacle to shake out dust and dirt. Do not wash the filters.

Step 5: If necessary, rinse with water

The dustbins of many Roombas can be rinsed in water. Check if your model’s bin supports this. Don’t use soap or detergent. Let the bins dry completely before replacing their filters and putting them back in your Roomba.

How to empty a Roomba bag

If you are interested in reusing Clean Base bags, we suggest trying the following method.

Step 1: Open the Clean Base lid

To access the Roomba Clean Base dock, lift the lid from the front and fully open it. This will provide you with enough space for bag removal.

Step 2: Detach the Roomba bag from the Clean Base

The Roomba bags are equipped with self-sealing plastic collars that make it easy to attach them to the Clean Base. To remove the bag from the Clean Base, simply pull up on the plastic collar tab. This tab ensures a secure seal of the bag during the lifting process.

Step 3: Use a regular vacuum to suck out the contents 

To reopen the bag, locate the tab and slide it back while keeping the card facing upward. Now, using the hose or crevice attachment of a regular vacuum cleaner, you can easily suction out the contents of the bag.

Step 4: Reattach the bag to the Clean Base port 

Once the bag is empty, carefully slide the plastic collar back onto the rails encircling the Clean Base port.

It is important to be aware that reusing a Roomba bag may lead to the dispersal of dust and dirt, which the bag was initially designed to prevent. If you have concerns regarding waste generation and cost-saving, there is an option to acquire compatible third-party bags that come equipped with zippers or other openings facilitating easier emptying and reusability.

How to empty a Roomba Clean Base

Step 1: Lift the lid of the Clean Base

To begin, lift up the lid of your Roomba’s Clean Base dock as far as it can go.

Step 2: Pull out the bag by means of its plastic collar

Next, locate the pull tab of the bag’s plastic collar and gently pull it upwards. This action will detach the collar from the rails around the Clean Base’s port and effectively seal the bag, preventing any spillage. Once done, remove the bag and dispose of it properly in the trash.

Step 3: Place a new bag in the Clean Base

Attach the collar of a new bag onto the Clean Base port's rails. Close the lid and you're good to go.

Roomba emptying FAQ

How often should you empty a Roomba?

A. It is recommended to empty the internal dustbin of your Roomba after each cleaning session. If the bin is not completely full, you have the option to wait; however, please note that the more full the bin becomes, the less effective your Roomba's cleaning performance will be.

How do you know when you should empty a Roomba?

A. Roombas may exhibit indicator light flashes if it detects that its bin is full. Some models incorporate a red indicator light shaped like a trash bin, while others use red pulsating ring lights that point towards the bin. In addition, Wi-Fi enabled models can feature a bin-full icon on the iRobot HOME app.

Clean Base disposal docks are equipped with a red light that illuminates when their bags are full, signaling the need for a replacement.

What happens when the Roomba bin is full?

A. When the bin of a Roomba becomes full, it has the potential to halt the cleaning process. This is because a full bin obstructs the movement of dirt within the Roomba, thereby affecting its cleaning capability. You can identify if the bin of your Roomba is full by noticing debris falling from the rollers. However, certain models of Roomba allow you to customize settings in the iRobot HOME app, enabling them to continue cleaning even with a full bin.

Why did my Roomba stop automatically emptying itself?

A. There could be a few causes if your self-emptying Roomba fails to empty itself. Firstly, ensure that the Clean Base has a power supply and that the bag is correctly installed. Additionally, check if the bag-full light is illuminated or flashing.

Firstly, inspect for any obstructions. If your Roomba is equipped with a self-emptying dustbin featuring an evacuation port at the bottom, make sure to eliminate any clogs in that area. Then, direct your attention to the Clean Base. Take out the bag and give it a gentle shake to dislodge any debris that could be obstructing the passage from the Clean Base to the bag.

To manually empty your Roomba, press the Home button (for series i and s models) or press and hold the Home button (for j series) while the robot is positioned on the Clean Base. Finally, restart your Roomba.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance of your Roomba Emptying your Roomba ensures its smooth functioning. Whether you own a model with a self-emptying bin and Clean Base or one that requires manual emptying, the process is simple and straightforward. If you encounter any errors during the maintenance process, do not panic. Simply follow our tips systematically to resolve them. Remember, a Roomba with a clean bin or Clean Base is all set to start its cleaning tasks.