iRobot Corporation

Scooba Frequently Asked Questions

1. What solution to use in iRobot Scooba?
2. How do I remove Scooba's tank?
3. Why isn't Scooba putting down cleaning solution?
4. Why is Scooba's blue Check Tank indicator on?
5. What types of floors can I use Scooba on?
6. How does Scooba find dirt on my floor?
7. What is wrong with Scooba's power light / battery level indicator?

You can either use 60ml of white vinegar per full tank, or plain tap water to remove up to 96% of common household bacteria in a single pass*. We do not recommend using other cleaning solutions as they can produce foam build-up that can harm Scooba's electronics, and may make it harder for Scooba to remove all of the solution from the floor as it cleans.

* Laboratory testing results indicate removal of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria after one pass of the Scooba floor washing robot while using plain tap water. Individual test may vary.

DO NOT USE SCOOBA ON THESE SURFACES:

• Carpet or rugs
• Unsealed hardwood or stone
• Laminate flooring (e.g. Pergo®)

Scooba is not recommended for use on unfinished or unsealed hard floor surfaces, carpet, rugs or waxed floors. These surfaces may be damaged by water (an unsealed floor does not have a coat of polyurethane to protect the sub-flooring from water damage). Additionally, Scooba is not safe for use with marble or laminate flooring which may be damaged by wet cleaning methods.

Tip: When using Scooba on sealed hardwood floors, inspect the floor surface for worn finish, bare wood, or separated and unsealed joints. Do not use Scooba on your hardwood floor if any of these conditions exist. Follow the floor manufacturer's cleaning recommendations.

Scooba has two main parts: the robot base and a tank. Scooba's tank lifts off the robot base for filling the clean tank with solution, and emptying the dirty tank after cleaning. Scooba has a unique two-chamber tank design so fresh cleaning solution never mixes with the dirty water Scooba picks up. To remove Scooba's tank:

• Press the handle down and release, the tank should release from the base.
• If the tank does not release from the base, press down on the silver tank receiver of the robot with your other hand, and press the handle down and release. The tank should release from the base.
• Pull the handle up and away from the base of the robot.
• Rotate the tank away from the robot base until it is upright.
• Pull the tank away from the robot base.

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If Scooba successfully starts a cleaning cycle, but is not putting down any liquid while cleaning, try the following to resolve the issue:

Check solution level. Remove Scooba's tank by pushing down on the metal carrying handle and then lift up. Make sure there is a proper amount of vinegar and water solution or water in the Clean tank.

Once you have verified the fluid level in the Clean tank, you can test the following:

If the pump is turning, but Scooba still does not put down solution:

• Check that the battery is installed correctly and that the yellow tabs are inside the guide-holes on the chassis. If the battery is not inserted properly it can prevent the tank from seating properly in the robot.

• Check that the stainless steel filter is properly seated.

• Next, check that the vacuum port flow tube is installed properly.

• Once you have checked the port seals, place the tank back into Scooba's receiver and latch it back into place by pressing gently down. (If you must press with a lot of force, there may be an obstruction between the tank the Scooba's chassis.)

If Scooba is still not putting down fluid after you have tested and verified the above items, please contact iRobot Customer Support.

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Scooba's blue “Check Tank” light illuminates when Scooba’s Clean tank is empty. If the Check Tank light is blue and the Clean tank still has a fair amount of unused solution, check the following.  (If the Check Tank light is yellow, see Scooba's yellow Check Tank indicator is lit).

If indicator lights after pressing Clean (pump whirs for a few seconds, then blue Check Tank light comes on):

• Check that the tank is properly connected to the robot base and latched in place.
• Check that the battery is properly installed and that the battery's yellow tabs are tucked inside the guide holes in the battery pocket.  If the battery is not inserted properly it can prevent the tank from seating correctly in Scooba.
• Using water alone or extremely small amounts of iRobot Scooba cleaning solution reduces Scooba's ability to recognize water in the Clean tank. Always use the recommended amount of cleaning solution and water. To learn more about iRobot Scooba cleaning solution and other approved cleaning solutions, see Why use iRobot Scooba cleaning solution?

If indicator lights after at the end of a cleaning cycle:

• Scooba has successfully finished a cleaning cycle.

Scooba has been specifically engineered to be safe and effective on:

• Tile
• Linoleum
• Vinyl
• Sealed Hardwood

SCOOBA SHOULD NOT BE USED ON THESE SURFACES:

• Carpet or rugs
• Unsealed hardwood
• Laminate wood or Pergo
• Marble, slate or stone

Scooba is not recommended for use on unfinished or unsealed hard floor surfaces which may be damaged by water (an unsealed floor does not contain a coat of polyurethane to protect the sub-flooring from water damage). Additionally, Scooba is not safe for use with some laminate wood flooring, which may be damaged by wet cleaning methods. Scooba is also not designed for use on carpet, rugs, or unsealed stone floors.

Tip: When using Scooba on sealed hardwood floors, inspect the floor surface for worn finish, bare wood, or separated and unsealed joints. Do not use Scooba on your hardwood floor if any of these conditions exist. Follow your floor manufacturer's cleaning recommendations. See What is the difference between hardwood and laminate flooring

iRobot Scooba is a robot that cleans differently than the way most people clean their floors. Scooba uses iRobot's proprietary AWARE™ Robot Intelligence System to determine the best way to pass over and clean every section of the floor. In most cases, Scooba will pass over the same area of the floor multiple times to ensure a thorough cleaning.

While Scooba is cleaning, it calculates the best path to clean your floor and determines the best times to use its various cleaning behaviors:

• Spiraling:Enables Scooba to efficiently clean a concentrated dirty area.
• Wall following: Enables Scooba to clean the room perimeter and navigate around furniture and obstacles.
• Room crossing: Enables Scooba to clean new areas while crisscrossing the room.
• Light Sensing: Keeps Scooba from stopping in dark or hard-to-reach places.

Scooba will alternate between spiraling, wall following, and room crossing throughout a single cleaning cycle.

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What is wrong with Scooba's power light / battery level indicator?

If the battery appears to be fully charging (Power indicator is solid green) but the robot stops running early in the cleaning cycle, you may need to replace the battery. If your product was purchased within the last six months (UK models only, there is no warranty in the UK for US or EU models) please contact 0845 2251919 to claim under your warranty. If alternatively your product was purchased outside the last six months (or is a non UK model) you can purchase a replacement battery from the Scooba accessories section of this website.

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