How I Learned to Replace Brushes on My iRobot Roomba i7 (And Now Do It Like a Pro)

A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Your Roomba i7 Cleaning Like New

Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash

I’ll walk you through exactly how I replace the brushes on my iRobot Roomba i7 — step by step — so you can keep your robot vacuum cleaning like new without a trip to the repair shop.

For the longest time, I thought replacing the brushes on my Roomba i7 was something only a service center could handle. I pictured complicated tools, fragile wires, and the risk of breaking my beloved cleaning buddy.

However, after my Roomba started missing crumbs and dragging dust bunnies instead of swallowing them, I knew I had to get my hands dirty — literally.

Now I can replace those brushes in under ten minutes, with no stress and no special tools. I’m going to share exactly how I do it, so you can do the same.

Why I Had to Learn Brush Replacement the Hard Way

My wake-up call came when I noticed trails of crumbs behind my Roomba. At first, I thought it was a software glitch or maybe clogged filters.

However, after peeking underneath, the side brush was bent out of shape and the rubber rollers had enough hair wrapped around them to knit a sweater!

Brushes are the frontline soldiers in a Roomba’s cleaning mission. When they wear out, the machine can’t sweep dirt toward the suction or pick up debris properly.

Unlike filters that you can ignore for a bit, bad brushes mean instant performance drop.

Tools I Used (Spoiler: You Probably Already Own Them)

Photo by Tekton on Unsplash

One of the reasons this job is so easy is that you don’t need a full toolbox. I used:

A flathead screwdriver (optional, but makes things easier)

A clean, dry cloth

Replacement brushes (I use iRobot-branded ones, but compatible ones work too)

Step-by-Step: How I Replace Brushes on My Roomba i7

This is my exact method, the one I’ve repeated countless times without a hitch.

1. Power Down the Roomba

Before I touch anything, I make sure my Roomba is turned off. I either press and hold the CLEAN button until it powers down or remove it from the dock and flip the power switch on the underside.

This is a safety step — not just for me but for the Roomba. I once skipped this and the brush tried to spin while I was cleaning it. Not fun!

2. Flip the Roomba Over

I place the Roomba on a table or countertop with a towel underneath to avoid scratches. With the underside facing up, I have a clear view of the side brush, main rollers, and debris ports.

3. Remove the Side Brush

The side brush is that three-armed plastic spinner that flicks dirt into the path of the rollers. On the i7, it’s held in place by a single screw.

I use my screwdriver to loosen the screw (it doesn’t come all the way out — it stays in the brush).

Once loose, I pull the brush straight up and off.

If the arms are bent or the bristles are frayed, it’s definitely time for a replacement.

4. Open the Brush Guard

The two main rubber rollers are protected by a green latch on the i7. I press the tabs and the guard pops open like a little gate.

This is where I usually find pet hair, strings, and the occasional Lego rubber band jammed in the mechanism.

5. Remove the Main Brushes

Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash

The rollers lift out easily, each one with a slightly different end cap design so they only fit in their correct slots. I pull both out, noting which one is the “front” and which is the “rear.”

If I’m replacing them, I toss the old ones. If I’m just cleaning, I remove hair wrapped around the ends and wipe them down.

6. Install the New Brushes

I place the new rollers in the same orientation as the old ones — matching the shapes on the end caps to the slots. They snap right into place with a little push.

Pro tip: Don’t force them. If they don’t drop in easily, check that you’re aligning them correctly.

7. Close the Brush Guard

Once the rollers are in, I swing the green latch back down until it clicks. This keeps everything locked tight during operation.

8. Reattach the Side Brush

I slide the new side brush onto its post and tighten the screw. It doesn’t need to be overly tight — just secure enough that it won’t wobble.

9. Power On and Test

With everything back together, I power up the Roomba and run a quick cleaning cycle. I watch to make sure the side brush spins freely and the rollers turn without noise or resistance.

How Often I Replace My Roomba i7 Brushes

From my experience (and what iRobot recommends), here’s a good schedule:

Side Brush: Every 6–12 months, or sooner if bent or frayed.

Main Rollers: Every 12 months, but clean them monthly to extend their life.

If you have pets or a lot of long hair in the house, expect to replace them a bit more often.

My Best Tips for First-Timers

Take a picture before you start. That way, you’ll remember exactly how the brushes sit.

Use genuine or high-quality third-party parts. Cheap knockoffs can wear down faster or fit poorly.

Clean the brush housing while you’re in there. It takes seconds and keeps dust from building up.

Don’t wait for total failure. Replace brushes before your Roomba’s cleaning performance nosedives.

Why This Skill Is Worth Learning

Replacing brushes might seem like a tiny task, but it’s one of those little maintenance habits that keeps my Roomba i7 feeling brand new.

I save money by avoiding unnecessary repairs, and I never have to deal with poor cleaning performance.

There’s something satisfying about knowing I can handle it myself. The first time I replaced them, I felt like I’d just rebuilt an engine — without the grease and swearing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use third-party brushes on the Roomba i7? Yes, but I recommend sticking with high-quality replacements. I’ve tried some cheaper ones that didn’t fit well or wore out quickly.

Genuine iRobot parts tend to last longer and work more smoothly.

Q2: How do I know when my Roomba brushes need replacing? Look for signs like frayed bristles, bent arms, worn rubber on the rollers, or a drop in cleaning performance.

If your Roomba is leaving behind debris it used to pick up, it’s probably time.

Q3: Do I need any special tools? Not at all. A simple screwdriver is enough to remove and reattach the side brush. The main rollers snap in and out without tools.

Q4: Will replacing brushes improve suction? Indirectly, yes. The brushes help channel dirt into the vacuum path. Worn brushes won’t move debris effectively, so even if your suction is fine, your Roomba won’t clean well.

Q5: How long does the whole process take? Once you’ve done it a couple of times, it takes me under ten minutes from start to finish — including a quick clean-up of the brush compartment.

Final Thoughts

If your Roomba i7 has been underperforming, worn-out brushes might be the culprit. The process is quick, cheap, and honestly kind of fun once you get the hang of it.

Next time your little cleaning robot starts missing spots, grab a screwdriver, follow these steps, and you’ll have it back in top shape in minutes.