Cleaning the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential: a complete guide with photos and tips

Why Regular Cleaning of Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential Robot Vacuum is Critical

Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential is not just a gadget for the lazy, but a complex device with suction systems, brushes, sensors and electronic components. If you ignore its maintenance, after 2-3 months you will notice a decrease in suction force, an unpleasant smell, and the robot begins to "glut": it goes on one trajectory, does not see an obstacle or refuses to return to base, all these are the consequences of accumulated dust, hair and debris in key nodes.

The manufacturer recommends a full cleaning at least 1 time per week for daily use. But few people know that the HEPA filter in this model requires replacement every 3-6 months - it can not simply be washed underwater, like a main dust collector. And if you have animals at home, the brush cleaning interval is reduced to 3-4 days: the coat is wound on the rollers and blocks their rotation.

In this article, you will learn how to properly clean the dust collector, clean the laser sensor (LiDAR), remove plaque from the charging station contacts, and even restore wheel mobility if the robot starts to “twist”.

What you need to clean: tools and consumables

Before you start dismantling, you have to prepare everything you need. Most of the tools are in every house, but you have to buy some more.

• 🧹 Soft brush (a toothbrush or brush for drawing is suitable) - for cleaning brushes and hard-to-reach places.
• 🧴 Soap solution (warm water) + Remedy for dishes) - for washing the dust collector and filters (except for HEPA!).
• 🧻 Microfiber cloth - to wipe the case and sensors without slicing.
• 🔧 Flat screwdriver (or plastic mediator) - to remove protective covers.
• 💨 A compressed air canister (optional) - blows dust from the vents.
• 🛠️ Lubrication for plastic parts (silicone) - if the wheels or brushes creak.
• 🔋 Spare filters HEPA (articular ZNMS01ZM) — They cannot be washed, only replaced.

Do not use abrasive sponges, alcohol or aggressive detergents, they will damage plastic and rubber seals. Also avoid wet wipes with fragrances: their residue can settle on sensors and interfere with the work of the robot.

Step-by-step cleaning of the main components

Dust collector and filters

Start by removing the dust collector, which is the most polluted element, and click on the release button of the container (located on the back of the robot) and carefully pull it out. Inside, you'll see two filters:

• The main filter (net) - can be washed under running water.
• HEPA filter (white, labeled HEPA) is dry cleaning or replacement only.

Algorithm of action:

1. Remove the garbage from the container into the urn.
2. Wash the mesh filter with warm water and soap, then dry for 12+ hours.
3. The HEPA filter is vacuumed or brushed, and if it breaks or deforms, replace it.
4. Wipe the container's sealing gum with a wet cloth.

Remove garbage from the container |

Wash the net filter |

Clean or replace HEPA-filter|

Wipe the sealing gum.-->

⚠️ Attention: Never dry HEPA-A hairdryer filter or a battery filter, it will lose its properties. Also, don't put it wet, it will short-circuit the suction system.

Side and main brushes

The side brush, which is one of these, is mounted on the latch on the right, and you take it off by pulling it up, and then you remove the hair and threads that you've wound, and the main brush is underneath the lid in the center of the robot, and you take it out.

1. Open the lid by pressing two locks on the sides.
2. Pull the roller out by holding it by the plastic tips.
3. Cut off the coiled hair with scissors and clean the brush with a brush.
4. Check the roller bearings – if they are clogged with dust, clean them gently with a toothpick.

If the brush is worn out (the bristles are worn or bent), replace it with the original (ZNMS02ZM). After cleaning, lubricate the roller axis with silicone lubrication, this will prolong the life of the mechanism.

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To make the hair less wound on the brush, before cleaning, vacuum the floor with a conventional vacuum cleaner - this will remove the bulk of the long hairs.

Sensors and LiDAR

The laser sensor (LiDAR) is located under a transparent dome on the top panel, and its contamination causes the robot to go blind, bump into furniture, skip sections or go around in circles.

• Wipe the dome with a dry microfiber cloth.
• If there are spots, use an alcohol napkin (no more than 70% alcohol).
• Blow the holes of the drop sensors (they are located at the bottom, on the sides) with compressed air.

Also, check the infrared sensors on the bumper (front of the robot), which can be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in water, don't use wet wipes, they leave a film that interferes with the signal.

4. Wheels and moving machinery

If the robot starts to tow or creaks when it moves, the problem is the wheels.

1. Turn the robot over and take the wheels off, pulling them on you.
2. Remove the wound hair and debris from the tread.
3. Clean the wheel axles of the old lubricant with a cotton swab.
4. Apply the new silicone lubricant on the axle and set the wheels back.

Check the roller bearing too, which is the little wheel in the front, and it gets clogged with dust and stops spinning, brush it with a toothpick and drip the lubricants.

Cleaning the charging station and contacts

If the robot doesn't dock well or doesn't charge, the problem may be oxidized contacts.

1. Shut the station off the grid.
2. Wipe the metal contacts on the base and the robot with a stripe (yes, regular school!) that will remove oxidation.
3. Make sure the infrared sensor at the station (a small window) is not covered by dust.
4. Check if there are any foreign objects in the slots of the station that interfere with docking.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use sandpaper or metal objects to clean your contacts, this will damage the coating).

If the robot doesn't charge after cleaning, check the power supply station, it should have a green light bulb on it, and if it flashes red, the power unit is faulty.

How often to clean: maintenance schedule

The frequency of care depends on the intensity of use and conditions in the house. Here is the recommended schedule for Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential:

If you have pets or allergies, reduce cleaning intervals by 30%, for example, change the filters every 2 months, and clean the brushes every other day.

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Regular cleaning not only prolongs the life of the robot, but also improves the quality of cleaning: according to Xiaomi, after 3 months without maintenance, the suction force drops by 40%.

Common cleaning errors and how to avoid them

Many users make the same mistakes that lead to breakdowns, and here are the most common ones:

• 🚫 Washing HEPA-filter - it loses its properties and starts to pass fine dust back into the air.
• 🚫 Using sharp objects to clean brushes – this scratches the plastic and damages the machinery.
• 🚫 Battery drying – high temperatures deform plastic and rubber.
• 🚫 Cleaning sensors with wet wipes – residues of moisture and chemistry interfere with their work.
• 🚫 Ignoring errors on the robot screen (e.g. Error 10 – brush jamming).

If the robot has become worse after cleaning (for example, it does not see the base or does not suck in dust), check:

• Are the filters and brushes properly installed?
• Did you damage the wires during the disassembly?
• Is there any moisture left on the contacts?

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions