How to Clean Your Robot Vacuum Brushes for Peak Performance

October 17, 2025 / Dreame Editorial Team

Your robot vacuum is a great help in keeping your home clean. It moves quietly across the floors to pick up dust, crumbs, and pet hair. If you’ve noticed streaks, louder noise, or uneven cleaning, the culprit is often a tangled brush roll. Hair and debris wrapped around the brush can stop it from picking up dirt effectively, turning an effortless clean into extra work.

The good news? Restoring performance is easy. With just a few simple steps, you can clean the brushes and get your robot vacuum running like new. We’ll also show you our latest technology that makes brush maintenance practically hands-free.

A family relaxing in their living room while a small white robot vacuum cleaner runs quietly on the light wood floor.

Why Bother Cleaning Your Robot Vacuum Brush?

This basic maintenance activity is well worth the time it takes. A clean brush is important for more than just how it looks. It also works better and lasts longer.

Restores Suction Power: Tangles and obstructions slow down airflow, which greatly lowers the vacuum's capacity to pick up and suck up dirt.
Improves Cleaning Efficiency: A clean brush stirs up carpets and sweeps hard floors better, making sure that the cleaning is deeper and more complete.
Prevents Damage: A brush that is full of hair and dirt puts more stress on the motor, which can cause it to overheat and break down over time, costing you money. Regular brush cleaning is just one part of routine care; for more easy maintenance wins, check out our lazy person's guide to keeping your robot vacuum in top shape.
Reduces Noise: A clean, balanced brush spins smoothly and quietly, just like it did when you first got it.

Dreame Take We design our robot vacuums for durability, but consistent care is the key to a long and productive life. Simple, regular maintenance not only prevents common issues but can significantly extend your vacuum's lifespan, ensuring you get the most out of your investment. Discover more simple tips to improve your robot vacuum cleaner's lifespan.

A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Your Robot Vacuum Brushes

Ready to restore your robot's cleaning power? Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

You won't need much. Most of what you need is likely already around your house:

A pair of scissors or a seam ripper
A small brush or an old toothbrush
A microfiber cloth (slightly damp)
A trash bin

Tools for robot vacuum maintenance: a folded blue microfiber cloth, a pair of small scissors, and a wooden brush for deep cleaning bristles.

Pro-tip Many robot vacuums, including those from Dreame, come with a handy multi-tool that often includes a shielded blade for safely cutting hair and a brush for clearing away fine dust. Check your original packaging!

Step 2: Power Off and Remove the Brush

Safety first! Always power down your robot vacuum completely before performing any maintenance. Once off, flip it over on a soft surface to avoid scratches. Locate the brush guard—usually a plastic frame held in by two tabs. Unclip it and lift it away, then gently pull the main brush out.

Step 3: Cut Away Hair and Detangle Debris

This is the most crucial step. Lay the brush down and use your scissors or seam ripper to carefully cut through the tangled hair, threads, and fibers. Cut along the length of the brush, then pull the loosened clumps of hair out. Be careful not to snip the bristles themselves.

Close-up of a robot vacuum's underside showing the brush roll compartment clogged with a thick tangle of long brown hair and debris.

Pro-tip To prevent accidentally cutting the bristles, always pull the hair taut and cut in a straight line away from the bristle base. A seam ripper can be particularly effective for getting under tight tangles without risking damage.

Step 4: Deep Clean the Brush and Its Compartment

Once the major tangles are gone, use your small brush to dislodge any remaining dust and fine debris from between the bristles. Wipe the brush itself and its end caps with the damp microfiber cloth. Don't forget to wipe out the brush compartment on the robot vacuum, as dust and hair often accumulate there as well.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Ensure the brush is completely dry before placing it back into its compartment. Re-attach the brush guard, making sure it clicks securely into place. Flip your robot vacuum over, power it on, and let it run for a moment to ensure everything sounds right.

How Often Should You Clean the Brushes?

For optimal performance, a quick check every two weeks is a good habit. However, you may need to adjust based on your home environment.

Homes with pets or long-haired family members: Plan to clean the brush weekly.
Homes with mostly hard floors and minimal shedding: A monthly cleaning might be sufficient.

Many modern robot vacuums also have companion apps, like the Dreamehome app, that will send you maintenance reminders when it's time to check your brushes and filters.

Dreame Take We believe true automation means eliminating tedious chores like cleaning brushes. That’s why we created the HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush. Its innovative dual-brush system and powerful air duct capture and remove hair before it tangles, offering a genuinely hands-free cleaning experience. This is how we turn advanced engineering into effortless living, saving you time and hassle on maintenance.

FAQ About Robot Vacuum Brush Maintenance

What happens if I don't clean my robot vacuum brush?

If you don't take care of your brush, it won't clean well since the vacuum will have trouble picking up debris. It can also make the motor work harder, which could limit the life of your robot vacuum. Plus, it often makes the vacuum sound louder.

Can I wash the robot vacuum brush with water?

This is totally up to the manufacturer's instructions. You shouldn't put most brushes in water. Instead, it's safer to wipe them down with a cloth that is only a little damp. Always make sure the brush is completely dry before putting it back on. This will keep mold from growing and the inside parts from getting damaged.

Does an anti-tangle brush really work?

Yes, current systems that keep things from tangling work really well. The Dreame's HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush is an advanced design that is specifically made to handle long hair and pet fur. This greatly reduces, and in many cases eliminates, the need for manual cleaning.

A split image showing the bottom of a robot vacuum: on the left, a clean, untangled HyperStream™ Detangling DuoBrush; on the right, a pile of pet hair.

A Cleaner Home, a Simpler Life

Keeping your robot vacuum's brushes clean is a simple but essential step to ensure your floors get the best possible clean. By following this easy guide, you can keep your automated helper running like new for years to come.

And if you’re ready to upgrade to a truly hands-off cleaning experience, explore our innovative lineup of Robotic Vacuums. Discover how Dreame technology can give you a cleaner home with less effort.

Tags: Robot Vacuum vacuum maintenance