Is your Shark robot leaving dirt in the corners? Learn how to reshape bent side brushes with the hot water trick or replace them for better cleaning performance.
The Side Brushes (the small spinning “arms” on the front of your robot) are responsible for sweeping dirt out of corners and into the suction path. Because they are made of flexible plastic bristles, they often become “curled” or bent after a few months of hitting table legs and rug edges.
Is your Shark robot leaving dirt in the corners? Learn how to reshape bent side brushes with the hot water trick or replace them for better cleaning performance.
- Symptoms: Side brushes are curled or bent upward, Robot is missing debris near baseboards, One of the side brushes is not spinning
- Tools: Hot Water, Replacement Side Brushes, Needle-nose Pliers
- Difficulty: Easy
When the brushes are bent upward, they no longer touch the floor, which means your robot is effectively missing 30% of the dust in its path. Here is how to fix them for free or replace them for a few dollars.
1. The “Hot Water” Reshaping Trick
Before you buy new brushes, try this “old pro” trick to restore the plastic memory.
- Remove the side brushes by pulling them straight up and off their pegs.
- Boil a small bowl of water and let it sit for 30 seconds.
- Dip the plastic bristles into the hot water for 60 seconds.
- Remove them and use your fingers to straighten the bristles while they are still warm.
- Let them dry on a flat surface. They will regain their original shape.
2. Removing Hair Wraps
If your side brush isn’t spinning, it is likely jammed with hair at the base of the motor spindle.
- Pull the brush off.
- Look at the yellow or white plastic peg on the robot.
- Use needle-nose pliers to remove the “circle” of hair that often wraps around the spindle. If this hair isn’t removed, it creates friction that can burn out the small side-brush motor.
3. When to Replace
If the bristles are frayed, missing, or broken, reshaping won’t help.
- The Fit: Shark has two types of side brushes. Older Ion models use a “rectangular” hole, while newer IQ and AI models use a “round” peg.
- Installation: Simply press the new brush onto the peg until you hear a loud CLICK. There are no screws involved.
Side Brush Maintenance Schedule
| Action | Frequency | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Hair Wraps | Weekly | Prevents motor failure |
| Hot Water Reshape | Monthly | Improves corner cleaning |
| Replacement | Every 6 Months | Maintains peak performance |
TIP: Don’t wait until they break! Every month, remove the side brushes and pull off any hair wrapped around the peg. This prevents the side brush motor from burning out.
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