How to Empty a Roomba Bin

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Key Takeaways

  • Regularly emptying the bin of your Roomba vacuum is crucial in order for it to function properly.
  • You can either manually empty your Roomba bin or use the iRobot app for automatic emptying.
  • Set notifications in the iRobot app to know when it's time to empty your Roomba bin.

You may not know everything about a Roomba vacuum, even if you own one and love it. For example, did you know you can manually and automatically empty its internal bin? We'll show you how to empty the bin of your Roomba vacuum, as well as how to know when it’s time to empty it.

Why Empty the Roomba Bin?

These days, robot vacuums are just one way to automate your home using cool gadgets. For example, you can control your home using an Apple Watch and Siri. And thanks to companies like iRobot, you can have a robot vacuum that will clean for you. But you still have to empty the bin, like with any regular vacuum.

Emptying any vacuum bin is a pretty important step to take regularly if you want it to function properly. A Roomba vacuum can empty its own bin, but sometimes, you need to manually empty it to keep the vacuum functioning at its best.

The bin can be emptied in two ways: manually or automatically using the app with a Clean Base station. Let's see both of them in action.

How to Manually Empty a Roomba Vacuum Bin

Your Roomba vacuum has a clear, plastic bin cover that you can look through to determine when it’s full. Here's how to manually empty it:

  • Pick up the Roomba vacuum and turn it over.
  • You should see a release switch along the device’s outer circular body (on the i3 model, for example, this button is black).
  • Press the release switch to remove the bin.
  • The bin will pop loose from the vacuum frame.
  • Pull the bin out.
  • Turn the removable bin over in your hands until you see another release button. (on the i3 model, the button is gray, oval-shaped, and about ¾ of an inch long).
  • Press the button to release the clear, plastic bin cover.
  • Dump the dirt and dust into a garbage receptacle by tapping on the side of the removable bin.
  • Look inside the bin to ensure you’ve emptied everything out.

    • If you really want to do a thorough job, you can use a small, dry-cleaning brush to push out any remaining debris.

    How to Clean the Roomba Filter

    You can also remove and clean the filter, which is a good way to keep the vacuum running as well as possible.

  • Pull the filter in an outward direction from the body of the removable bin.
  • The filter will pop loose, and you can tap it against the side of your garbage receptacle to loosen any excess dust and dirt.
  • Take care not to try to clean this filter with soap and water; it should remain dry.

    • How to Automatically Empty a Roomba Vacuum Bin

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    You can also use the iRobot app for iOS or Android to tell the vacuum to empty its bin.

  • Set the Roomba vacuum back on its charging station.
  • Ensure the vacuum wheels are set within the grooves of the charging station (you’ll know they’re set correctly when one of the device buttons illuminates with white light).
  • In the iRobot app, tap Empty Bin.
  • The app will display the text Emptying Bin.
  • You should hear the vacuum noise of the tower sucking the dirt into the vacuum bag.

    • It’s best to replace the bag in the tower occasionally. If you enable Job Errors and Job Status notifications in the iRobot app (see the steps below), your app can notify you when it’s time to change your vacuum bag.

    If it does not work as intended, you can try resetting your Roomba robot vacuum to restore smooth operation.

    How Do You Know When It’s Time to Empty a Roomba?

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    It’s good to empty your bin regularly for optimal vacuum function. There are a few ways to know when it’s time. One way to know when to empty the bin is to enable notifications in the app.

    First, ensure your smartphone and your Roomba app are on the same Wi-Fi network. Make sure your app notifications are enabled in the app:

  • On the app home screen, tap the menu (three lines stacked horizontally) in the upper right.
  • Tap on Account.
  • Tap on Notifications.
  • Scroll down until you see the PUSH NOTIFICATIONS menu.
  • Tap to toggle on Job Errors.

    • Setting this notification will ensure you know when the Roomba has encountered an error, such as when the bin is full. You may also want to enable Job Status and Robot Software Update notifications.

    If you have any issues, you can try checking iRobot support. I have owned an iRobot Roomba vacuum for a few years, and while I can tell you that the device and its software are not perfect, compared to some vacuums, emptying its bin is easy enough.

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