Maria Diaz/ZDNETI like to think of my robot vacuum as an electronic pet — one who pitches in around the house, never barks too loudly, and doesn’t even need to be fed. As with all pets, though, I need to care for my vacuum, and a commitment to cleaning and maintenance can boost its longevity and performance. Also: The best robot vacuums for 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThe average lifespan of a typical vacuum cleaner is about eight years, but with some mindful maintenance, you can aspire to keep your device working for a decade or more. Even if you don’t have a pet-like affinity for your autonomous cleaner, these tips are useful for keeping your robot vacuum in top condition.Regardless of how powerful a robot vacuum is or whether it’s a budget model or high-end, its cleaning tools can get filthy. Threads of fabric and pet hair get caught in the roller, the brushes become knotted with gunk, and sensors (and filters, of course) get covered with filmy dust. So, here are five essential things to check when it’s time to maintain your robot. More