Cleaning robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi G1: detailed instructions with photos and tips

The Xiaomi G1 has become an indispensable cleaning aid, but its effectiveness depends on regular maintenance. Many users find that over time, the device begins to pick up garbage worse, hums while working, or even refuses to turn on, the reason most often lies in contaminated filters, clogged brushes or dust on sensors – all of which require timely cleaning.

In this article, we will discuss how to properly care for the Xiaomi G1 so that it lasts longer and runs at maximum power, which parts should be cleaned weekly and which should be cleaned once a month, which tools to use, and how to avoid the typical mistakes that lead to breakdowns, and pay special attention to hidden areas that are often forgotten even by experienced owners of robot vacuum cleaners.

Why it’s important to clean the Xiaomi G1 regularly

Many people think that the robot vacuum cleaner is β€œput and forget”, but in practice, the Xiaomi G1 requires as much attention as a regular vacuum cleaner.

  • πŸ”‹ Decreased performance: clogged filters and brushes reduce suction force by 30-50%, which makes the vacuum cleaner worse at collecting garbage, especially on carpets.
  • πŸ› οΈ Increased wear of parts: dust and hair are wound on the engine shafts, which leads to overheating and shortens the service life.
  • 🚨 Navigation errors: dirt on sensors and camera prevents the robot from correctly building a map of the room, which can cause it to get stuck or miss zones.
  • πŸ’° Expensive repairs: ignoring cleaning leads to breakdowns that cost 3-5 times more than timely maintenance.

According to service centers, 80% of malfunctions in Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are due to inadequate care, and most problems can be prevented by cleaning only 10-15 minutes a week.

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

What tools will be needed to clean

To fully care for the Xiaomi G1 does not need expensive professional tools.

  • 🧹 Soft brush (for example, tooth or dust brush) - to clean cracks and hard-to-reach places.
  • πŸ”ͺ Plastic scraper or knife (not metal!) – to remove the wound hair from the shafts of brushes.
  • πŸ’¦ Microfibre wipe - for cleaning the case, sensors and glass surfaces.
  • 🧴 Alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (70%) – for degreasing contacts and sensors.
  • πŸ”Œ Vacuum cleaner with narrow nozzle - to blow dust out of internal channels.

Important: Do not use metal objects, hard brushes or aggressive detergents (such as acetone or bleach) that can damage plastic parts or rubber seals, and avoid direct water ingress on electronic components β€” wet enough, not wet enough.

πŸ’‘

If you don't have any alcohol wipes on hand, you can use cotton swabs dipped in vodka (a strength of at least 40%), which are good at removing greasy spots from sensors.

Step-by-step: how to disassemble and clean the Xiaomi G1

Before cleaning, disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the charging station and make sure it is turned off. Disassemble on a flat surface so as not to lose small parts.

Turn off power and remove the battery (if possible)

Prepare tools and napkins

Take a picture of the details before the disassembly

Work in a well-lit place-->

1. Cleaning of the main brush and side brush

The main brush (roller) and the side brush (rotating) are the fastest contaminants, and should be cleaned after each cleaning if there are pets or long-haired residents in the house.

How to clean:

  1. Remove the main brush by pressing the fixtures on the sides and pulling it on yourself.
  2. Remove the hair and threads from the shaft of the brush with a plastic scraper or knife. Don't pull the hair with your hands, this can damage the bristles.
  3. Wash the brush under warm water (not higher than 40Β°C) with soap, then dry for at least 24 hours before installing it back.
  4. Remove the side brush counterclockwise, clean it of dust and hair, check the bearing for backlash.

If the brushes are worn out (bristles are broken or worn), they need to be replaced.Original parts for Xiaomi G1 can be found by the articles:

  • ZNMS17WM is the main brush.
  • ZNMS18WM is a side brush.

Cleaning of filters and dust collectors

Filters in Xiaomi G1 There are two types: primary (rough cleaning) and HEPA-The first one holds up large debris, the second one holds up fine dust and allergens, both of which need to be cleaned every 1-2 weeks and replaced every 3-6 months (depending on the intensity of use).

Instructions:

  1. Open the dust collector cover by pressing the button on top.
  2. Take out the container and shake the garbage out of the bin. Don't use a vacuum cleaner to clean the container - it could damage the sealer.
  3. Wash the container with warm water, dry it. The primary filter (grid) can be washed, and HEPA-filter - only prescribe or blow with compressed air.
  4. Check the sealing gum on the lid – if it is worn or deformed, replace it (ZNMS19WM).

Important: Never install a wet filter or container, and this will cause mold to form inside the vacuum cleaner.

3. Care for sensors and camera

The Xiaomi G1 is equipped with a laser sensor (LiDAR), a camera and infrared sensors for navigation, and their contamination causes the robot to go blind, collide with furniture or skip zones.

How to clean:

  • πŸ” LiDAR (top rotating "turret"): wipe the glass with a soft napkin dipped in alcohol.
  • πŸ“· Camera: remove dust from the lens with a dry brush, then wipe with a microfiber!
  • πŸ“‘ Infrared sensors (lower body): wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
  • 🧲 Fall sensors (under the front bumper): make sure they are not covered by dust or stickers.

If after cleaning the robot still poorly navigated, try to reset the map of the room in the application Mi Home:

  1. Open the app and select your vacuum cleaner.
  2. Go to Settings β†’ Map β†’ Reset the card.
  3. Start a new cleaning so that the robot can re-engineer the route.

Cleaning of ventilation and engine openings

Clogged ventilation grilles cause the engine to overheat, which can cause the vacuum cleaner to automatically shut down or even break. In the Xiaomi G1, they are located on the side walls of the body.

What to do:

  1. Take a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle and carefully remove dust from the grilles.
  2. If the dust is densely settled, use a brush or compressed air (canister).
  3. Check that the fan inside the housing rotates freely - if it jams, disassembly and lubrication will be required.

⚠️ Attention: if the vacuum cleaner starts to spontaneously turn off during operation or makes a high whistle, this is a sign of overheating of the engine. Stop cleaning immediately and clean the ventilation. If the problem recurs, contact the service.

Hidden areas that 90% of owners forget

Even experienced users often overlook a few critical areas that directly affect the operation of the vacuum cleaner:

ZoneWhat happens if you don't clean?How to clean
Wheels and their axesThe robot begins to β€œslip”, poorly overcomes the thresholds, quickly sits down the batteryRemove the wheels (turn counterclockwise), remove the wound hair from the axis, wipe with alcohol
Contacts of the charging stationThe vacuum cleaner does not dock well with the docking station, does not charge.Wipe contacts on the robot and station with a cotton swab with alcohol
Dust collector sealing gumDust seeps back into the body, suction decreasesWash with soap solution, dry, replace if necessary
Mud sensor (dust collector)Robot does not recognize a filled container, continues cleaning with overloadCarefully clean the sensor hole with a toothpick

And if you pay special attention to the axes of the wheels, which is one of the most vulnerable places, if you have hair wound on the axes, the robot will use up to 40 percent of its energy just to overcome the resistance when it's moving.

What if the robot doesn’t return to base?
If the Xiaomi G1 has stopped finding the charging station, check: 1. The purity of the infrared sensors on the front bumper (they are responsible for pointing to the station). 2. The location of the dock - there should be at least 1 m of free space around it on each side. 3. Lighting - in the dark, the robot is less orientated, try turning on the light. 4. Settings in the application - in Mi Home β†’ Vacumber Settings β†’ Back to the base check that the function is on.

Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them

Many Xiaomi G1 owners make the same mistakes that eventually lead to breakdowns.

  • 🚫 Using a vacuum cleaner to clean filters – it destroys fibers HEPA-filter and reduce its effectiveness.
  • 🚫 Washing electronic components (such as LiDAR or control board) – even a drop of water can cause a short circuit.
  • 🚫 Cleaning brushes "dry" - dry hair and dust are more difficult to remove, it is better to pre-moisten them with water.
  • 🚫 Ignoring errors in the application – if the Mi Home shows a warning (e.g. Error 10 – brush jamming), you should immediately check the vacuum cleaner.

Another common problem is that you don't build properly after cleaning, for example, if you close the dust collector properly, the robot loses its suction power, and always make sure that all the latches and locks are securely secured.

πŸ’‘

If you clean it up and it starts to work louder or vibrate, chances are you've got a brush or filter incorrectly installed, disassemble it and reassemble it, making sure that all the parts are in their place.

How often to clean: maintenance schedule

Cleaning frequency depends on the intensity of use and the conditions in the house. G1:

DetailFrequency of cleaningReplacement frequency
Dust collectorAfter every cleaning.β€”
Main and side brushes1-2 times a weekEvery 6-12 months
Filters (primary and HEPA)1 time 2 weeksEvery 3-6 months
Sensors and camera1 time per monthβ€”
Wheels and axles1 time per monthWith wear (once in 1-2 years)

If you have animals or allergies in your home, increase the frequency of filter cleaning to 1 time per week. It is also recommended to carry out a deep cleaning once every 3 months: disassemble the vacuum cleaner, blow through the internal channels and lubricate moving parts (for example, the axles of wheels) with silicone lubricant.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a robot vacuum cleaner to clean construction dust (for example, after repair), clean it after each cycle.

Can I wash the dust collector in the dishwasher?
No, it can deform the plastic and damage the sealing gum. It is better to wash it by hand with warm water (up to 40 Β° C) with a mild detergent. After washing, be sure to dry the container for at least 24 hours.
Why did the robot get worse at collecting garbage after cleaning?
Probable causes: Filter or dust collector installed incorrectly (check closing density); vents clogged (must be blown with compressed air); brushes or seals worn out (replacement required); and suction settings in the Mi Home app also check for "Silent Cleaning" mode, possibly by accident.
How to know if it's time to change HEPA-filter?
Signs of filter wear: The robot started sucking up dust worse, especially fine dust, got a bad smell after cleaning, the filter was visually gray or deformed, the application appears Error 9 (filter contamination). Original HEPA-filter G1 articulate ZNMS20WM.
What if the robot doesn’t turn on after cleaning?
Possible causes and solutions: Incorrect assembly - make sure all parts (especially the dust collector) are installed before clicking. Moisture intake - if you washed parts, dry them for another 12 to 24 hours. Firmware failure - try to restart the vacuum cleaner with a power button for 10 seconds. A discharged battery - put the robot on charge for 2-3 hours. If nothing helps, contact the service center.
Can a robot vacuum cleaner be used without a filter?
Absolutely not! Without a filter, dust will get inside the case, clog the engine and electronic boards, which will overheat and break within 1-2 months, and if the filter is heavily polluted and there is no new one at hand, it is better to postpone cleaning until it is replaced.