Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are indispensable cleaning aids, but their main problem is the accumulation of hair in brushes, rollers and turbines, even models with anti-tangle function (for example, DreameBot). D9 viomi V3 Pro) require regular cleaning: animal hair, human curls and threads are wound on the shafts, block rotation and cause the engine to overheat. If not removed in time, the vacuum cleaner begins to buzz, collects less garbage or refuses to work at all.
In this article, you will learn how to safely remove hair from side brushes, main shaft, turbines, and even hard-to-reach areas without damaging parts, and a list of tools to simplify the process and tips for prevention.
Why does hair become so clogged with robot vacuum cleaners?
The design of Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners provides for several zones where hair is wound especially actively:
- 🌀 Side brushes - rotate at high speed and "collect" hair in lumps, which are then wound on the axis.
- 🔄 Main shaft with silicone/rubber blades – hair clings to micro gaps and compacts under pressure.
- 🌀 Turbine (fan) – in models with high suction power (for example, DreameBot) L10 Pro) hair can slip through filters and wrap on blades.
- ⚙️ Bearings and axles – if hair gets into mechanical knots, this leads to backlash and breakage.
Double brush models (such as Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) are particularly vulnerable: hair intertwines between the shafts, forming dense pigtails that are difficult to remove indiscriminately. 1S) The problem is compounded by a lack of protection from winding – where hair can block sensors and wheels.
⚠️ Warning: If the robot vacuum cleaner starts to emit grinding or vibration when moving, immediately turn it off! This is a sign that the hair has hit the bearings or blocked the shaft.
Cleaning Tools: What You Need
You can't do it with just one hand for a good cleaning, but here's a minimum set of tools that will make it easier:
| Tool. | What do you need? | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Tweezers with a curved end | Removal of hair from hard-to-reach areas (such as bearings) | toothpick or needle |
| Scissors with thin blades | Cutting of tangled hair on shafts and brushes | Stationary knife |
| Screwdriver (cross-cross-hairdriver)/Torx) | Disassembly of the case for access to the turbine (in Viomi models) S9, Dreame Z10 Pro) | Flat screwdriver (caution!) |
| Compressed air (cylinder) | Blowing out dust and small hairs from ventilation holes | Cold-mode hair dryer |
| Bearing lubricant (silicone) | Treatment of axles after cleaning (prolongs service life) | WD-40 (metal-only!) |
For models with self-cleaning station (e.g. DreameBot) X30 Ultra) you'll need a soft brush to clean the station's garbage can, which also accumulates hair. 3D-printer, you can print a special scraper for shafts (drawings are available on Thingiverse under the request "Xiaomi robot vacuum hair removal tool").
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Before cleaning, take a picture of the location of all the parts on the phone – this will help to properly assemble the vacuum cleaner back, especially if you are disassembling it for the first time.
Step-by-step instructions: how to clean the main shaft from hair
The main shaft (also known as the roller brush) is the most problematic place, and in Xiaomi models it can be:
- 🔹 With silicone blades (such as Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) – hair clings to the edges.
- 🔹 With bristles (old models of the Mi Robot 1 type) - hair is wound on the axis.
- 🔹 Hybrid (bristles) + rubber nozzles, like in Viomi V2).
To clear the shaft:
- Remove the garbage container and remove the shaft cover (usually it is attached to latches or one screw).
- Pull the shaft carefully, and most models take it out without tools. If it doesn't, check if there are hidden fixtures (like DreameBot). D10 Plus you need to click on the side clips).
- Remove your hair: 🧹 For silicone blades: tuck your hair with tweezers and roll it into a lump, then cut with scissors. 🌀 For bristles: use a comb with frequent teeth or a special cleaning hook (comes complete with some models).
Clear the shaft axis
Check the bearings.
squeak
lumpen
Remove the dumpster|Remove the shaft cover|Remove the shaft (without effort!)|Remove hair with tweezers / scissors|Drink the axle with alcohol|Check the bearings for backlashes.|Lubricate the axles (if necessary)-->
In models with double shafts (for example, Viomi) SE) It gets complicated, because the hair gets intertwined between the shafts, and it helps with a toothpick: scroll the shafts in opposite directions, while putting the hair on at the same time. If you don't give in, don't pull it by force, cut it with scissors and remove it piece by piece.
⚠️ Note: Dreame vacuum cleaners with Auto Hair Cutting (e.g. DreameBot) W10) The shaft has built-in knives to cut hair automatically. Don't touch them with your hands, sharp edges can cut!
Brushing side brushes: how to remove hair without breaking
Side brushes are the second most problematic area, and they're often overlooked, but this is where hair is wound the fastest because of the speed of rotation. In Xiaomi models, the brushes are fastened in two ways:
- 🔧 On the latches (most models) - it is enough to pull the brush down.
- 🔧 On screws (e.g. Viomi) V18) — I'll need a screwdriver.
Cleaning instructions:
- Remove the brush from the body. If it does not respond, check if there is a hidden lock (in Mi Robot Vacuum). E10 You need to press the button from the side).
- Remove hair from the axle: 🧲 If your hair is tightly wound, use a magnetic holder (such as a phone repair kit) to help you pull out the metal axis without damage. ✂️ For tangled lumps, gently cut them with scissors, then tweezer them.
electric-powered
DreameBot L10S Ultra
gears
In Viomi vacuum cleaners, side brushes are often illuminated — be careful with the wires! Don't pull them or wash the brush under the water stream. Use wet wipes for electronics to clean.
What if the brush does not rotate after cleaning?
Turbine and fan cleaning: when hair blocks suction
If Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaner is getting worse at sucking garbage or making a whistling sound, the problem could be in the turbine.
- 🌀 Clearances in the dumpster (if the seal is worn out).
- 🌀 Filter (if it is torn or not tightly attached).
- 🌀 Ventilation holes (in models with high power type DreameBot) T30).
To get to the turbine:
- Remove the garbage can and filter.
- Unscrew the bottom cover of the vacuum cleaner (usually 4-6 screws).In some models (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum). X10+) need to remove the battery.
- The turbine is next to the motor, and it looks like a plastic fan with blades, and the hair is wound on the axle and between the blades.
- Remove hair with tweezers or compressed air.Do not use metal objects - they can damage the blades!
- Check the turbine sealing ring - if it's worn out, replace it (articles for popular models: MDZ-09-DJ for Mi Robot 1C, VMI-02 for Viomi).
In vacuum cleaners with a brushless motor (for example, DreameBot) T20) The turbine can be protected by an extra grid, so to remove it, gently apply the latches with a flat screwdriver. If the vacuum cleaner doesn't suction after cleaning, check it out:
- 🔹 Integrity of hoses (they can be clamped or torn).
- 🔹 Flogging sensor performance (Error 10 may be displayed in the Mi Home app).
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If after cleaning the turbine vacuum cleaner gives an error of suction, reset it through the application: go to Settings → Reset errors or restart the device by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
How to clean hard-to-reach places: bearings, sensors, wheels
Hair can even penetrate where it is difficult to reach indiscriminately, and here are the hidden areas that are often overlooked:
- 🌀 Wheel bearings – if the vacuum cleaner starts to wag when moving, check them for hair.
- 📡 Collision sensors (bumper) – hair can block their work, which makes the robot not see obstacles.
- 🔋 Charging station contacts – dust and hair buildup leads to poor contact.
- 🌀 The axis of the main shaft (under the plastic cover) - there accumulates a "feel" of small hairs.
To clean these areas:
- Wheels: flip the vacuum cleaner over and remove the wheel caps (they are usually attached to the latches). Hair is wound on the axle - remove them with tweezers and lubricate the bearing.
- Sensors: The bumper is mounted on 2-4 screws. Take it off carefully and blow it with compressed air (without touching the sensors with your hands!).
- Charging contacts: wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. If the contacts are oxidized, clean them with a blower.
In models with a laser sensor (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite), hair can be inserted into a rotating LiDAR head to clean it:
- Remove the top cover (usually it is held on 2 screws under rubber plugs).
- Gently blow the sensor head with compressed air (do not touch the glass!).
- Check if the head rotates freely - if not, remove the hair from the mechanism.
⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the sensors, the vacuum cleaner does not build a map or moves chaoticly, calibrate in the Mi Home app: go to Device Settings → Sensor calibration.
Prevention: How to reduce hair loss
It is impossible to completely avoid getting hair into the vacuum cleaner, but you can significantly reduce the frequency of cleaning:
- 🐕 For pet owners: use models with anti-tangle shafts (e.g. DreameBot) D9 Pro with Tangle-Free Suction).
- 🧹 Cleaning regularly: Clean your brushes after each 3-4 cleaning cycle (you can set reminders in the Mi Home app).
- 🔄 Replacement of brushes: silicone shafts last longer than bristles, but they also need to be changed every 6-12 months (see original parts for articles like ZNMS18AM for Mi Robot).
- 🚫 Avoid long-pile carpets – they “pull” hair from brushes and wind them on the shaft.
- 📱 In-app settings: Viomi and Dreame models can reduce suction power on carpets (Settings) → Cleaning regimes → Power on the carpet).
If you have a self-cleaning station (e.g. DreameBot) X30 Ultra), monitor the condition of the garbage bag in the docking station - when it is filled, the hair begins to wind up on the turbine station. Change the bag every 1-2 months (original articles: DM-JSQ-001 for Dreame, V-RVC-001 for Viomi).
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Before cleaning, vacuuming the carpets with a conventional vacuum cleaner will remove most of the hair and reduce the load on the robot.
Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them
Improper cleaning can cause the vacuum cleaner to break down, and here are the most common mistakes:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning the shaft with a knife or scissors without care | Cuts of silicone blades, after which they cease to fit to the floor | Use a plastic scraper or blunt edge of tweezers |
| Washing Electric Brushes Underwater | Short circuit, engine failure of the brush. | Wipe only with a wet wipe, avoiding water on the contacts |
| Use of the WD-40 plastic-axle-grease | Eating plastic, jamming the shaft | Apply only silicone lubricant |
| Building a vacuum cleaner with incompletely removed hair | The hair is wound on bearings, which leads to backlash of wheels or shafts. | Check all axles for hair residue before assembly |
| Cleaning the turbine with metal objects | Damage to the blades, turbine imbalance and vibration during operation | Use plastic tweezers or compressed air |
Another common problem is the loss of parts during disassembly. To avoid this, fold the screws and lids into separate containers (for example, Lego) or take photos of the process. Xiaomi models often use screws of different sizes - it is easy to confuse them!
If the vacuum cleaner does not turn on or malfunctions after cleaning, check:
- 🔹 Are all connectors connected correctly (some models have lid closure sensors).
- 🔹 Are there any foreign objects (screws, hair parts) inside).
- 🔹 Have you lost your settings in the application (sometimes you need to reconnect the device).