Step-by-step cleaning NERA- filter in vacuum cleaners Xiaomi: from disassembly to drying

Why cleaning the NERA- filter in vacuum cleaners Xiaomi is not just a recommendation, but a necessity

If your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner has started to collect dust worse, makes an unusual hum or refuses to turn on with the Filter Blocked error, the problem with the 90% probability lies in the clogged NERA- filter (or HEPA- element in older models), this filter fine cleaning is responsible for trapping microparticles up to the size of 0.3 microns – from pollen to bacteria. But over time it is clogged not only with dust, but also with fatty deposits, even with dusty spaces (dustuffs, even dust pumps).

The manufacturer claims that the NERA- filter in Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, Dreame D9 or Viomi V3 models is designed for 6-ZXPH0005QXZ months of operation, but in practice during intensive cleaning (daily, in a house with animals) it has to be cleaned every 1-ZXPH0007QXXX procedure for this second month.

This article provides a step-by-step photo guide on how to properly remove, wash and dry the NERA- filter so it doesn't damage its structure, and answers to key questions: can you reuse the filter after cleaning than replace it in an emergency, and how to know if the element has finally exhausted its life.

NERA vs HEPA: What filter is in your Xiaomi vacuum cleaner

Before you start cleaning, it is important to determine which filter is installed in your model, because Xiaomi uses two types of fine cleaning systems:

• 🔹 HEPA- filter, a classic fiberglass variant, found in early models (Mi Robot 1S, Viomi V2) It can be washed under running water, but it recovers less after cleaning.
• 🔹 NERA- filter is a modern antibacterial coating, installed in Xiaomi vacuum cleaners from 2020 (Dreame D10 Plus, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P). More efficient, but requires delicate cleaning.

The NERA- filter is usually gray or dark blue with the NERA marking on the case, and the HEPA is white or yellow with the inscription HEPA H11/H12. If in doubt, check the documentation for the model or use the table below:

⚠️ Warning: If you have a carbon filter installed in your vacuum cleaner (e.g., in Viomi V3 SE), it is absolutely not allowed to be washed - just blown with compressed air or replaced. The water intake destroys the activated carbon, and the filter loses its ability to neutralize odors.

Preparation for cleaning: what you need and how to avoid mistakes

Cleaning the NERA- filter is a simple process, but requires carefulness.

• 🧼 Warm water (not higher than 40°C) – hot water deforms the filter material.
• 🧴 Soft detergent (e.g. Fairy dishwashing liquid or Ecover) No aggressive chemicals (Domestos, White) are allowed.
• 🧽 Soft brush (dental or electronics cleaning) – hard brushes tear filter fibers.
• 💨 A cold blower or a dryer fan (required!).
• 📸 Smartphone – to photograph the location of the filter before disassembling.

⚠️ Warning: Never clean the filter in a assembled vacuum cleaner -- even if you think it's more convenient. Moisture trapped on the board or engine will short circuit. Always remove the filter completely!

Also consider:

• 🕒 It takes at least 24 hours to dry the filter, so don't try to speed up the process with a hot air dryer, it'll ruin the antibacterial coating.
• 🔄 After 3-4 cleanings, the efficiency of the NERA- filter drops by 30-40%. If the vacuum cleaner has become less able to cope with dust, it's time to think about replacing it.
• 🚫 Do not use a vacuum cleaner to dry the filter, which will create a paradoxical situation where you will clog it even harder.

Photographed the location of the filter | Prepared warm water and soft detergent | Disconnected vacuum cleaner from the network | Made sure the filter is not carbon | Allocated 24 hours to dry-->

Step-by-step: how to remove and rinse NERA- filter

The cleaning process consists of 5 steps. Follow them strictly in order so as not to damage the filter or vacuum cleaner.

Step 1: Disconnecting and disassembling the vacuum cleaner

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner with the power button and disconnect from the charging station.

2. Turn it upside down (for models with vertical loading of garbage, for example, Dreame D10, remove the dust container).

3.Push the latches of the container (usually marked with arrows) and carefully remove the garbage compartment.

4. Inside you will see a filter, which can:

• 🔘 Round (in Mi Robot 1S),
• 🔘 Rectangular (in Dreame D9),
• 🔘 Cylindrical (in Viomi V3).

Step 2: Extract the filter

The filter is either attached to the latches or inserted into the slots, so that it can be removed.

1. Pull the filter upwards or on yourself (depending on the model), if it doesn't respond, check if there are hidden latches on the sides.
2. In some vacuum cleaners (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) the filter is closed with an additional mesh - it also needs to be removed.
3. If the filter is boiling with dust, do not pull it. Fly around the edges with WD-40 spray and wait 5 minutes.

Step 3: Washing

1. Fill the basin with warm water (temperature - as for children's bathing) and add 1-2 drops of detergent.

2. immerse the filter in water and leave for 10-15 minutes to soak the dirt.

3. With a soft brush, gently clean the folds of the filter as you move from center to edge. Don't rub too hard - the NERA fibers are brittle!

4. rinse the filter carefully under running water to remove any residues of detergent. If the water remains cloudy when rinsing, repeat the process.

⚠️ Warning: If you see black mold spots on the filter, treat it with vinegar solution (1 tbsp. spoon per 1 liter of water) after washing and dry it in the sun - this will kill spores.

Step 4: Drying

This is the most important step, because the wrong drying is the nullification of all cleaning.

• 🌞 Place the filter on a clean towel in a well-ventilated place.
• 💨 Use a fan or dryer in cold air to speed up the process.
• ⏳ At least 24 hours, no less, the residual moisture will lead to mold.
• 🚫 Do not dry the filter on the battery or in direct sunlight, it will warp it.

Step 5: Reverse Assembly

1. Make sure the filter is completely dry (shake it - there should be no moisture inside).

2. Insert the filter back into the vacuum cleaner, combining the grooves and latches.

3. Install a dumpster and make sure all the elements fit tightly.

4. Turn on the vacuum cleaner and start the test cleaning. If the Filter Blocked error disappears, it's done right!

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If the vacuum cleaner still gives a filter error after cleaning, try resetting to the factory settings through the Mi Home app, sometimes due to contamination of the sensors, not the filter itself.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when cleaning the NERA- filter. Here are the TOP-5 misses that lead to a break in the vacuum cleaner or filter:

1. Hot water, the filter is deformed and will have to be replaced. Optimal temperature: 25-40°C.
2. Drying with a hair dryer in hot air destroys the antibacterial layer. Only a cold blower!
3. Cleaning the filter with a vacuum cleaner creates static electricity that pulls the dust back in. Use only water and brush.
4. Ignoring mold – if black dots are visible on the filter, it should be soaked in vinegar for 30 minutes before cleaning.
5. Incomplete drying -- even 1% moisture is enough to reproduce bacteria. Give the filter a minimum of 24 hours.

Another common problem is that the filter seal gum will be damaged when installed, and if it breaks, the dust will seep past the filter, and the vacuum cleaner will lose up to 50% of its efficiency. Always check the seal integrity before assembly!

When cleaning is useless: signs of filter wear

The NERA- filter is a consumable, and even with careful care, it has to be changed. Here are the 5 signals that the filter has exhausted its life and needs to be replaced:

• 🚨 The vacuum cleaner has stopped sucking in the dust, even though the container is empty and the turbine is running.
• 🤧 After cleaning, the air remains odor of dust or dampness.
• 🔊 The noise is increased, and the filter creates additional resistance to the air.
• 📉 The Mi Home app keeps getting a Filter Blocked error, even after cleaning.
• 👁️ Visually, the filter is darkened and does not wash off to white/gray.

If at least 2 of these features are present, the filter should be replaced. The average cost of the original NERA- filter for Xiaomi is 800-1500 rubles, but you can save money by buying compatible analogues (for example, from Roborock or Dreame).

⚠️ Warning: Some users try to "resuscitate" an old filter by soaking it in a solution of soda or citric acid, which temporarily improves the appearance, but destroys the filter structure, which will allow up to 70% of the microparticles to pass through!

Alternative cleaning methods (if you can not wash)

In some cases, water washing is not recommended, for example if it's carbon or if you're afraid of damaging the antibacterial coating, and alternative methods can be used:

• 💨 Compressed air purges are suitable for dry cleaning. Use a compressed air can (as for a keyboard) or a blow vacuum cleaner (if there is such a feature). Keep the balloon at a distance of 10-15 cm so that the filter is not damaged.
• 🧹 Clean with a vacuum cleaner, only if you have a second vacuum cleaner with a HEPA- filter, turn it on at minimum power, and gently walk through the folds of the NERA- filter.
• ☀️ Ultraviolet lamp -- kills bacteria and mold. Put the filter under the UV lamp for 30 to 60 minutes, then brush the dust off with a brush.
• 🧂 Salt or soda to remove odors. Put 2 tbsp of salt in the filter bag, close it and shake it. Leave it for 12 hours, then shake it off.

These methods are less effective than flushing, but they extend the life of the filter by 1-2 months, and should be used between major cleanings or if the filter is carbon.

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The NERA- filter can be washed no more than 4-5 once in its lifetime, and then its pores are clogged with microparticles that can no longer be washed, and its efficiency drops to the level of a regular grid.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions