Xiaomi and Roborock’s smart assistants are popular, but even they require regular maintenance. The main brush is the main working organ that collects most of the dust and debris from the floor. Over time, its axis accumulates hair, animal hair and thread, which can lead to reduced cleaning efficiency or errors in the application.
Owners often wonder how to properly remove this element so as not to damage plastic mounts and break the gears of the drive. Wrong actions can cause the side cover to crack and the locking mechanism to stop fixing details. In this article, we will detail the algorithm of actions for different types of brushes.
Before you start dismantling, you need to flip the device over. Make sure the robot is on a soft surface so as not to scratch the top panel. Intelligent machinery is sensitive to impacts, so avoid sudden movements when working with the mechanisms.
Preparation for maintenance and types of brushes
There are two main types of basic brushes that are installed in the robot vacuum cleaners of the Xiaomi Vacuum line. The first option is the classic V-shaped brush with pile that effectively knocks out dust from carpets. The second type is the silicone brush, often found in Roborock models and newer versions of Xiaomi, it confuses hair less.
The extraction process varies slightly depending on the design. Some models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum 1S or the Roborock S5, use a fast fixation system without screws. Other models may require unscrewing of fasteners. It is important to determine the type of your device in advance.
You don't need a sophisticated toolkit to work with, usually with your own hands and maybe a small flat screwdriver or coin if you have screw clamps, and also prepare dry cloth to wipe the contacts.
- 🧹 Classic brush with pile - requires more frequent brushing from wound hair.
- 💾 Silicone brush – easier to clean, but may be worse at dealing with deep dust in carpet pile.
- 🔧 Combined models - may have different mechanisms for fastening side covers.
Before any manipulations, make sure the robot is turned off. Although current models have protection, accidental engine start-up during maintenance can cause finger injury or gear failure.
Dismantling of brushes in models with quick-removal mechanism
Most modern models, including the Xiaomi Mi Home Vacuum and Roborock S-Series, feature a handy locking system.You don't have to look for screws or use screwdrivers.The whole procedure takes less than a minute if you know where to press.
Turn the robot over and find the main brush, and there are two lids on the sides of the main brush that cover the bearings, and one of the lids (usually the left one, when viewed from the bottom) has a special protrusion or button, and that's where the unlock mechanism is located.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to pull out a brush without unlocking the locks. Use of force will break the plastic ears of the mount.
Press the lock or move the latch in the direction indicated by the arrow on the body, while pulling the lid up, it should be easy to remove, after removing the lid, grab the handle of the brush and pull it up, swaying slightly from side to side.
If the brush is sitting tight, don't pull it sharply. There may be too much hair wound on the axis, creating additional resistance, in which case, help yourself with tweezers, carefully releasing the axis.
- 🔓 Press the side cover locker.
- 👐 Remove the lid by pulling it up.
- 🌀 Remove the main brush by holding onto the central part.
Once removed, inspect the seat, so there should be no debris left that could get into the motor or sensors, and the cleanliness of the unit has a direct impact on the life of the device.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Removal of brushes in screw-mounted models
Older models or specific modifications, such as some versions of the Xiaomi Vacuum-Mop, may have a screw mounting side covers. This is done for additional tightness and reliability of fixation in high dust conditions.
To dismantle, you'll need a small cross screwdriver (usually a PH1 or PH0) to flip the device and find the screws on the side covers. There may be one on each side or two. Fixing elements are often hidden under rubber plugs or decorative linings.
Turn the screws counterclockwise. Stack them in a separate container so you don't lose them. Then the lids are removed by a simple upward movement. Then the procedure is similar to a quick-removal model: take a brush by the end and remove from the niche.
It's important not to pull the screws back, because the plastic in the case can crack with excessive force, and twist them until you have a little resistance, when the lid stops wobbling.
In some cases, the screws may be lacquered or contaminated. If the screw does not lend itself, do not use excessive force immediately. Try to warm the area around the screw slightly with a hairdryer (not hot air, but warm) or use penetrating lubricant, taking care not to pour electronics.
What do I do if the screw is ripped off?
Cleaning and maintenance of removed brush
Once you've managed to remove the brush, there's a maintenance phase, and it's at this point that many users make mistakes that reduce the life of the part, and regular cleaning allows you to keep the shaft balancing and suction efficiency.
First of all, remove the hair and thread wound on the ends. It is convenient to use scissors or a special knife, which often comes with a robot (in some models it is built into the top cover).
Then wipe the brush with a wet cloth, if the contamination is severe, you can wash it under a stream of warm water, but before you put it back into the robot, the brush must be completely dry, and moisture inside the body can cause contact corrosion or short circuit.
| Type of pollution | Deleting method | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Hair and wool | Mechanical removal | Scissors, a knife from the kit |
| Sticky dust | Washing with wet cloth | Microfiber, water |
| Large debris | Shake off | Garbage bucket |
| Fat spots. | Soap solution | A dishwasher |
Notice the bearings on the ends of the brush. They should rotate freely. If you hear a crunch or feel a sting, the bearings require replacement or lubrication, although in most budget models they are maintenance-free and change with the brush.
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For quick cleaning of silicone brush, use the method of "twisting": take the brush by the ends and twist it in opposite directions - the garbage will fly out of the grooves itself.
Installation of the brush back and check the work
You do the reverse assembly. Make sure the brush niche is empty and clean. Put one end of the brush in the bearing, then carefully put the other end. It's important to get into the drive strands so that when you start the engine, the brush starts to rotate, not slip.
Close the side covers. If you have a lock model, you should hear a characteristic click. It's a signal that the mechanism is locked and ready to go. If the lid is not closing, don't push -- check if the brush is standing right.
Once installed, turn the robot over and turn it on, run a test cleaning or just turn on the suction mode through the app, listen to the sound of the engine, it should be smooth, without any foreign howling or knocking.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing the brush, the robot emits a loud crack or reports an error of the main brush, immediately turn off the device and check the correct installation.
A common mistake is to set the brush backwards or skewed. Visually check that the brush is located exactly in the center of the niche. The gaps between the brush and the body should be symmetrical.
- ✅ Make sure the brush rotates freely from the hand.
- ✅ Check the density of the side covers.
- ✅ Start the engine test run.
Regular maintenance, including removing and cleaning your brush every 1-2 weeks, significantly extends the life of your robot. Xiaomi recommends changing the brush itself every 6-12 months of active use, as the pile wears out and loses properties.
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Proper installation of the brush is characterized by the absence of backlashes and free rotation of the shafts before power is turned on.
Frequent problems in extraction and their solution
Even with careful handling, there can be difficulties, and one of the common problems is that the locking mechanism will sour, and if the lid is not removed, it may have been moisture or sticky dirt, and you can gently drip some alcohol on the lid joint and wait a few minutes.
Another problem is that the plastic ears of the locker break down, which happens when the user uses force where you want to push the button, and if the locker is broken, you have to hold the lid with your hand or use a rubber band, but you better order a new part.
Also, users often confuse the main brush with the side (turbo brush), the side brush is usually located on one end of the robot and is star-shaped, and it is extracted even more easily - often just pull it up or unscrew one screw in the center.
If the brush is removed, but the robot continues to write the error, the problem may not be in the mechanics, but in the sensors or the motor, in which case simple cleaning will not help, you will need to diagnose electronics.
Remember that the warranty on the device can be canceled if traces of mechanical damage to the body resulting from careless removal of the brush are visible.
Compliance with simple rules of operation and regular care of the main cleaning unit will ensure your robot long and efficient service. Clean floor and good equipment are the result of the right approach to maintenance.