How to Clean the Xiaomi Dreame Vacuum T20: Complete guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi Dreame T20

detailed instructions for cleaning all nodes

Dreame T20

Many users make critical cleaning mistakes: washing HEPA-A filter under running water (which you can't do!), ignore sensor cleaning, or use aggressive detergents to destroy seals, and we'll figure out how to avoid these problems and prolong the life of the vacuum cleaner. T20 30-40% – this is confirmed by the data of service centers.

If your vacuum cleaner is getting worse at collecting dust, making noise or leaving a smudge after washing, these are good signs that it's time to clean it. Don't wait until the device refuses to turn on: systematic maintenance will take only 15-20 minutes a month, but save thousands on repairs.

1.Preparation for cleaning: what will be needed and safety measures

Before you take down Dreame T20, Prepare the workspace and tools. Never clean the vacuum cleaner in the kitchen or in the bathroom - small parts can fall into the drain and moisture will damage the electronic components.

You will need to:

  • 🧴 Soft detergent (for example, dishwashing liquid Fairy or Ecover – without chlorine and abrasives!).
  • 🧽 Microfiber wipes (2-3 pieces: one for dry cleaning, the second for wet cleaning).
  • πŸ”§ Flat screwdriver (to remove side brushes) and tweezers (to get hair out of the shaft of the main brush).
  • πŸ’§ Distilled water (for washing containers and filters – ordinary water leaves a plaque).
  • 🧲 Magnetic holder (optional, but very convenient for screws).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use WD-40 or other lubricants for cleaning the moving parts of Dreame T20! They attract dust and eventually clog the machinery. Only silicone lubrication (applied 1 time every 6 months) is suitable for lubricating the bearings of the main brush).

Before starting work, be sure to remove the battery (if you can) or at least disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the charging station. Contacts on the bottom of the device are sensitive to moisture - even drops of water can cause corrosion. If you clean the vacuum cleaner after washing the floors, wait for the tank to dry completely (at least 2 hours).

πŸ“Š How often do you clean your robot vacuum cleaner?
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when it breaks.
Never cleaned.

2. Cleaning of dust collectors and filters: Step-by-step with photo

Dust collector and filters are the β€œlungs” of your Dreame T20. If you don't clean them, the vacuum cleaner loses up to 60 percent of its suction power after 3 months of active use:

Removal and cleaning of the dust collector:

  • πŸ”„ Press the unlock button of the container (located on the back panel of the vacuum cleaner).
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Shake the trash in the bucket. Don't knock the container against the walls! - so you risk damaging the sealing gum.
  • 🧼 Wash the container with warm water with a mild detergent. Use a toothpick or cotton swab for hard-to-reach areas.
  • πŸ’¨ Dry thoroughly (better to leave overnight) The wet container is the main cause of mold inside the vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning of filters:

Dreame T20 double-filtered:

  • πŸ”Ή Primary filter (grid in front of turbine) - washed under running water 1 time in 2 weeks.
  • πŸ”Ή HEPA-filter (fine cleaning) - you can't urinate! Clean with a dry brush or vacuum cleaner at minimum power.

⚠️ Note: If you accidentally get wet HEPA-Filter, don't dry it with a hair dryer! High temperatures destroy microfibers. Put the filter on a paper towel in a ventilated place for 24 hours. If it deforms afterward, it needs to be replaced.

For deep cleaning of the primary filter, use an ultrasound bath (if any) with a solution of citric acid (1 tbsp. spoon per 1 liter of water). This will remove even old dirt and unpleasant odor. After the procedure, be sure to rinse the filter in distilled water.

Remove both filters from the vacuum cleaner|Wash the primary filter under water|Clean up HEPA-dry-brush|Dry the details for at least 12 hours|Make sure that the filter seals are intact-->

3. Maintenance of brushes: main, side and turbobrush

Dreame brushes T20 β€” The hair, thread and fur of animals are wound on the shaft, blocking rotation. If you don't clean the brushes regularly, the vacuum cleaner motor overloads, which leads to overheating.

Main brush (roller):

  • 🧡 Remove with scissors or tweezers the wound hair from the shaft. Don't pull the strings! - so you can damage the bristles.
  • πŸ”§ Remove the end covers of the brush (they are attached to the latches) and clean the bearings of dirt. Grease them with silicone lubrication (1 drop per bearing).
  • 🧼 Wipe the bristles with a wet wipe with soapy solution. Use an isopropyl alcohol spray (70% concentration) to disinfect).

Side brushes:

Dreame side brushes T20 They're attached to the screws (there's a special key in the kit) to remove them:

  1. Turn the vacuum cleaner over and find the screws under the brushes.
  2. Turn them counterclockwise.
  3. Remove the brushes and wash them under water, removing the sticky dirt with a toothpick.
  4. Check the drive mechanism - if it creaks, apply a drop of silicone lubricant.

Turbobrush (if included):

The turbobrush requires special attention, because its motor is often clogged with dust.

  • πŸ”„ Press the locks on the sides of the brush and remove the top cover.
  • 🧹 Remove dust from the inner compartment with a vacuum cleaner (do not blow with your mouth!).
  • πŸ”‹ Check the motor contacts - if they are oxidized, wipe with a lastic (yes, a regular school!).

πŸ’‘

If the Dreame brush T20 You start to bounce when you clean it, check the shock absorbers on the mount, they may have clogged with dirt or lost their elasticity, wash them in soapy solution and grease them with silicone.

4. Cleaning sensors, sensors and contacts

Many owners wonder why Dreame is so popular. T20 It's a problem of getting worse at navigating space or not coming back to base, and it's often caused by contaminated sensors, and dust, greasy spots, or even fingerprints on sensors, that disrupt their work.

What sensors should be cleaned:

Type of sensorLocationHow to cleanFrequency
Lidars (laser sensors)The upper part of the body (under a transparent cap)Dry it with a microfiber wipe.1 time 2 weeks
Infrared sensorsAround the perimeter of the case (black round windows)Clean with a cotton swab dipped in distilled water1 time per month
Mud sensorInside the dust collector (small window)Blow with compressed air (a canister for cleaning equipment)With each cleaning of the container
Charging contactsOn the bottom of the vacuum cleaner and on the base.Wash with a wipe or a napkin with isopropyl alcohol1 time 3 months

And if you pay special attention to lidar, it's the eyes of your vacuum cleaner. If it's contaminated, Dreame. T20 You're going to build inaccurate maps of the room or you're not going to work at all. Don't touch the lens with your fingers, greasy traces scatter the laser beam. Use a special wipe for optics (suitable for glasses or photo equipment) to clean the lens).

⚠️ Warning: If the vacuum cleaner still goes blind after cleaning the lidar (sees no obstacle or strays from the route), check the transparent cap for cracks. Even micro-damage can distort the signal: DM-T20-LIDAR-COVER).

5. Washing of the washing system: tank, pump and tubes

If your dream T20 It leaves you with a stain or doesn't spray water, and the problem is the washing system, and it's important not only to remove the dirt, but also to prevent limestone from forming (especially if you use tap water).

Step-by-step:

  1. Pour the water out of the tank and rinse it with vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and dissolve the plaque.
  2. Blow the tubes with compressed air (you can use a bicycle pump with a thin nozzle). Blockages usually form at the places of bends.
  3. Check the pump: Remove the bottom cover of the vacuum cleaner (unscrew 4 screws); find the pump (a black plastic block with tubes); clean it with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol.

Calibration of the system

distilled

What to do if the water is not sprayed?
If after cleaning Dreame T20 It doesn't spray water, check: 1. The valve in the tank could stick. Carefully tuck it in with a needle. 2. The water level sensor wipes its contacts with a wiper. 3. The vacuum cleaner firmware -- some versions of the software have a pump-controlled bug. Update the firmware through the Mi Home app (Firmware Update section).

πŸ’‘

Use only distilled or filtered water for washing! tap water contains salts that clog the nozzles and shorten the life of the pump.

Smell removal and disinfection

The smell of a vacuum cleaner is a common problem, especially if you're cleaning animal hair or wet garbage, and it can be from:

  • 🦠 Bacteria in a dust collector or filter.
  • πŸ§€ Mold in rubber seals (due to insufficient drying).
  • 🐟 Organic residues (such as cat food or crumbs).

How to eliminate the smell:

  1. Deep cleaning: Wash the dust collector and filters in a solution of baking soda (2 tbsp. spoons per 1 liter of water). Leave for 1 hour, then rinse. Wipe all rubber seals with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution).
  2. Disinfection: Use a UV lamp (take it to the dust collector for 10-15 minutes) or an ozonator. Put a bag of silica gel in the container overnight (it absorbs moisture and smells).
  3. Prevention: After each cleaning, shake the garbage out of the container. 1 time a month, wash the vacuum cleaner with vinegar or citric acid. Store the vacuum cleaner in a dry place, away from the kitchen or bathroom.

πŸ’‘

If the smell doesn't go away after cleaning, check the drainage hole in the dust collector (a small hole at the bottom) that could get clogged with dirt, clean it with a toothpick and rinse it under a stream of water.

7 Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to a Dreame breakdown. T20. Here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

Mistake 1: Washing HEPA-water-filter

HEPA-The filter is made up of microfibers that stick together when wet, which reduces its efficiency by 80 percent. If the filter is heavily contaminated, it's best to replace it. DM-T20-HEPA).

Mistake 2: Use of aggressive detergents

Chlorine, acetone or concentrated acids break down plastic and rubber seals. Use only neutral detergents (pH 6-8).

Mistake 3: Improper drying of parts

Many people dry parts with a hair dryer or on a battery, which deforms the plastic and rubber bands, and the best way to dry them is to dry them naturally in a ventilated place (24 hours).

Mistake 4: Ignoring sensor cleaning

Dust sensors cause navigational problems, for example, if you don't clean the IR sensors, the vacuum cleaner can "not see" the walls and beat against furniture.

Mistake 5: Self-disassembly of the turbine

Dreame turbine T20 β€” It's a complex balancing machine, and if you're not an expert, don't disassemble it.

πŸ’‘

If you clean the vacuum cleaner and it starts to work louder or vibrate, you might have assembled the brush or the turbine incorrectly, and then you should double-check all the mounts and make sure that the parts are installed before you click.

8. Service frequency: Dreame care table T20

To Dreame T20 Worked as new, stick to your service schedule:

ComponentFrequency of cleaningSigns that it's time to cleanTools
Dust collectorAfter every cleaning.Reduced suction power, smellNapkin, water, brush.
Primary filter1 time 2 weeksThe vacuum cleaner makes a loud noise, it sucks poorlyWater, soft detergent
HEPA-filter1 time per monthAllergic reactions, dust in the air after cleaningDry brush, vacuum cleaner
Main brush.1 time per weekHair on the shaft, the brush doesn't rotate.Tweezers, scissors, silicone lubricant
Side brushes1 time 2 weeksThe brushes do not rotate, the vacuum cleaner β€œgets stuck” in the cornersScrewdriver, water, napkin.
Washing system1 time per monthDilutions on the floor, water is not sprayedVinegar, distilled water, pump
Sensors and sensors1 time 3 monthsThe vacuum cleaner is poorly oriented, does not return to the baseMicrofiber wipe, alcohol

Keeping this schedule is going to prevent 90 percent of pollution-related breakdowns. T20 Reduce cleaning intervals by 30 daily%.

Can I wash the dust collector in the dishwasher?
No! High temperatures and aggressive detergents will damage plastic and seals. Wash the dust collector only by hand in warm water (max.40)Β°C).
How do you know that HEPA-change the filter?
Signs of wear and tear HEPA-filter: The vacuum cleaner has become less able to detect fine dust (visible in light rays); there is a persistent smell of dust when working; the filter has deformed or ruptured; the service life of the original filter is 6-12 months (depending on the intensity of use).
Why doesn't the brush turn after cleaning?
Possible causes: Incorrect assembly - check that the brush shaft is inserted before clicking. Bearing contamination - lubricate them with silicone lubrication. Damaged drive belt (in belt models). Firmware failure - update the software through the Mi Home app. If the brush does not rotate even after cleaning, check it with a multimeter (motor winding resistance should be 20-30 Ohms).
How to Replace Original Filters for Dreame T20?
Compatible filters from third-party manufacturers can be used, but make sure they are certified to the standard. HEPA H11 Popular analogues: Roborock (article) RR-FILTER-01) β€” Suitable in size but may require pruning. Ecovacs (article) ECO-FIL-HEPA) β€” universal filter for robot vacuum cleaners. Before buying, check the dimensions of the original filter (220Γ—150Γ—15 mm).
How to Reset the β€œClogged Dust Collector” Error if it’s Clean?
Mistake. E3 or E4 (The problem is that the dust collector can get clogged because of: Pressure sensor contamination (in the vacuum collector), moisture on the contacts, firmware failure. To reset the error: Remove and flush the vacuum collector. Wipe the contacts of the pressure sensor with an alcohol tampon. Reboot the vacuum cleaner: Hold the power button for 10 seconds. If the error persists, update the firmware through Mi Home.