How to Empty Roomba? (3 Steps for Any Model)

I remember the day I brought my first Roomba, like it was yesterday. I was so excited to have a robot that would take care of the tedious task of vacuuming my floors. And it didn’t disappoint. Every day, I would wake up to a clean and dust-free house.

But as much as I loved my Roomba, there was one thing that I dreaded – emptying it. The little robot could only hold so much dirt and hair before it needed to be emptied. And let me tell you, those bins could get pretty gross after a week of cleaning.

Therefore, I began searching for ways to simplify the process. To do this, I browsed several vacuum forums and finally discovered some easy tricks that were very helpful during the emptying process. Please keep reading to learn about the tricks I found!

How to empty Roomba?

To empty your Roomba: turn it off and unplug it, lift it and place it upside down, press the dustbin latch to release the dustbin, turn the dustbin upside down to release debris, reattach it to the Roomba, and turn the Roomba back on.

I-Robot offers a variety of models to choose from, and each model has slightly different instructions for emptying the device. So it’s essential to carefully follow the guidelines specific to your model to prevent any accidents.




To make things easier for you, I’ve broken down this guide into sections so you can easily find the information that applies to your specific model.

1. Roomba 600 series

empty roomba 600 series dustbin

If you use the 600 iRobot Roomba model, follow the steps below.

But remember that this method will only work on Roomba’s 600 series, including the 614, 675, and 670 models.

  • First, press the tab on the vacuum’s edge to open the dustbin.
  • Click the small yellow latch on the bin’s edge to pull it out.
  • Place the contents of the inside container in your garbage can.
  • Gently tap it to remove as much debris as possible.
  • Find and empty the filter, too (located inside the dustbin).

Once you are done, Reinstall the filter and close the bin door. And finally, replace the dustbin in its place.




2. Roomba 800 and 900 series

empty roomba dustbin

Follow the below steps if you are using a Roomba from the 805, 890, 960, or 980 series.

  • First, press the tab on the edge of the trash to pull it out.
  • Then pull the top of the dustbin toward the ground to open the trash door.
  • Once the trash is open, tap and shake it into a trash can and remove as much garbage as possible!
  • Wipe the dustbin down with a microfiber cloth if necessary.
  • Then, open the top of your trashcan and remove the filter.
  • Clean your filter the same way, then toss it in the garbage can.
  • Replace the filter in its place and close the door.
  • Finally, return the bin to its vacuum.

Also, don’t forget to clean the sensors on the bottom of the Roomba. Otherwise, you might face bin error. To do that, use a microfiber cloth or melamine foam and wipe the dust.

💡Also read: Why is my Roomba not charging? Fix it now!

3. Empty Roomba s9 series

how to empty roomba s series

The Roomba S9 models are washable but have a slightly different emptying process than other models. Follow the below steps to empty it:

  • First, lift the cover on the top of the vacuum and remove the dustbin by pulling the handle on the side.
  • Wash the dustbin with cold water, then tap and shake it to ensure everything is gone.
  • When rinsing the dustbin with cool water, place it upright to dry appropriately.
  • Let it dry completely.
  • Close the lid of the bin when it is completely dry.
  • Finally, return the dustbin to the vacuum’s main body.
  • Wipe the innards of the sensors with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining dust.
  • Finally, ensure all the dustbin doors are returned to place.

You can also use the iRobot Home app to empty the Clean Base unit. Open the app and select the Empty Bin option. Check your WiFi connections or update your app if it doesn’t work.

How to empty a Roomba bag?

empty bag

Sometimes, you may need to empty your Roomba bag. So how can you empty the bag? OK, let’s take a look at it.

1. Video tutorial in emptying Roomba bag.

2. How often should you empty your vacuum bag?

Roomba’s bags are simple to insert into the base station and last at least ten cycles before needing to be replaced with a new one. So you don’t need to worry about replacing your Roomba’s bag.

Sometimes you may notice that your Roomba brush isn’t spinning correctly. If this is the case, read a complete guide on Why is your Roomba brush not spinning?

3. Can You Wash it?

You can’t wash Roomba bags because they aren’t waterproof. If you wash your Roomba bag, water will clog all the air pores by gluing dust and allergens together, and it will stop working. You can buy reusable Roomba bags with zippers or replaceable plastic cards, which are available from some aftermarket vendors.

These bags aren’t appropriate for your Roomba because the more you use them, the less efficient they will become and the more they will become clogged with microscopic particles. Furthermore, they can be harmful.

When it comes to your smart vacuum cleaner, getting a new Roomba bag when your old one fills up is the best option. So, try to use a new bag every time you empty your Roomba bag.

Pro Tip: To keep your Roomba vacuum running smoothly, empty the bin after every use, avoid overfilling the bin, and regularly clean the brushes and filters. This will extend the vacuum’s lifespan and ensure optimal performance.

4. When the bag is full, will my Roomba alert me?

Yes, you will be notified via the iRobot HOME App when the bag is full. Then remove it from the clean base and replace it with a new one. The bag can contain up to 30 bags of waste, allowing users to avoid vacuuming for weeks at a time.


How to empty Roomba clean base?

empty roomba's clean base

It is essential to keep your Roomba’s base clean to function properly and continue cleaning your floors effectively.

Here’s how to empty your Roomba’s clean base and keep your Roomba functioning properly.

  • First, lift the lid of the Clean Base.
  • Then pull out the bag by lifting the plastic tab on edge.
  • Now, discard the used bag and replace it with a new one.
  • Slide the plastic tab back into place.
  • Finally, close the Clean Base lid.

Standard Roomba vacuum cleaners must be emptied after each use and can become overloaded while cleaning a large area. However, newer and more expensive Roomba models come with a self-emptying dock that empties the contents into a disposable bag. This feature saves the user from having to empty the Roomba themselves manually.

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