How to clean the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential: disassembly, washing and care

Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential has become an indispensable cleaning assistant for thousands of users, but its effectiveness depends on regular maintenance. Many owners face a problem: over time, the device begins to collect less dust, leaves a stain when wet cleaning or produces an unpleasant odor, the reason is not the breakdown, but the pollution of key components — filters, brushes and tanks.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions for cleaning all Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential nodes, including hidden parts that are often forgotten. We will discuss how to properly wash the dust container, clean the turbine brush, maintain the wet cleaning system and even eliminate odors.

If you notice that the robot is getting stuck, working louder, or leaving debris behind after cleaning, that's a good sign that it's time to do a deep cleaning, and it's going to take no more than 30 minutes, but it's going to extend your assistant's life for years.

1.Preparation for cleaning: what will be needed and safety measures

Before you start dismantling, prepare the necessary tools and materials. You do not need specialized equipment - it is enough what is in every house.

• 🧼 Warm water (not above 40)°C) - hot can deform plastic parts.
• 🧴 Soap solution (liquid soap or dishware) - without abrasive particles.
• 🧻 Soft fabric or microfiber – for cleaning cases and sensors.
• 🪥 Toothbrush – ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach places.
• 🔧 Flat screwdriver (optional) - can be useful for removing covers.
• 🧹 Vacuum cleaner with narrow nozzle - to remove dust from the ventilation holes.

Important: Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential has electronic components, so avoid getting moisture on boards and contacts. Never immerse the robot body in water - only clean removable parts.

⚠️ Warning: If the robot vacuum cleaner is connected to the Mi Home app, disconnect it from the Wi-Fi network in the device settings before cleaning.

We recommend cleaning on a flat surface covered with a towel or newspaper, which will protect the parts from falling and make it easier to assemble. If you're cleaning the robot for the first time, take a picture of the disassembly process, which will help you put it back together properly.

2. cleaning of the dust container and HEPA-filter

A container for dust and HEPA-The filter is your robot's lungs, and the contamination causes the suction power to be lost and the dust to spread back into the air. In Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential, the container is removable, and the filter requires special attention.

How to clean the container:

1. Press the button (releases) on the back of the robot and remove the container.
2. Remove the garbage in the trash can without shaking it off over the robot.
3. Wash the container with warm water and soap, paying attention to rubber seals - fine dust accumulates there.
4. Dry the part in the air for at least 2 hours. Using a hair dryer can deform the plastic.

Service HEPA-filter:

• The filter is located inside the container, under a removable lid.
• Carefully remove it by pulling the plastic frame.
• To clean, use a vacuum cleaner at minimum power or a soft brush. You can't wash the filter with water - it destroys its structure!
• If the filter is darkened or deformed, a replacement (original artwork) is required. ZNMS01WM).

⚠️ Warning: Some users try to "resuscitate" an old filter by washing it in the washing machine, resulting in a complete loss of filter properties and may cause the robot engine to overheat.

Term of service HEPA-Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential filter – about 6 months with heavy use. If you have animals or allergies in your home, you should replace them more often.

Remove garbage from the container|Wash the container with soapy solution|Drying container 2+ hour|Clean the filter with a vacuum cleaner|Check the filter for wear-->

3. Turbine and side brush cleaning

Brushes are the hands of a robot vacuum cleaner that come into direct contact with garbage. Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential has three types of brushes:

• The main turbine brush collects large debris.
• Side brushes (2 pcs) - sweep the dust to the center.
• Rubber blades (in some versions) - for better collection of wool.

Turbine brush cleaning:

1. Turn the robot over and press the latches on the sides of the brush (marked by the arrows).
2. Remove the brush and remove the wound hair, threads, and it's convenient to use scissors or tweezers.
3. Wash the brush under running water, rotating it to remove dust from bearings.
4. Lubricate the brush axis with silicone lubricant (1 drop on each side) - this will prolong its service life.

Side brushes:

• Then, remove the slacks and pull them down (they are attached to the latches).
• Remove the hair and debris from the axis, and often there's animal hair that accumulates, which blocks the rotation.
• Check the rubber seals on the brushes – if they are cracked, the brushes must be replaced.

Tip: If the side brushes start to slip when they're spinning, clear the axles of dust with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, which will restore traction to the engine.

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If the brushes are still spinning unevenly after cleaning, check their balance. Put the brush on a flat surface, if it is squashed, then the bearings are worn out, and it is time to replace the brush.

Maintenance of the wet cleaning system

One of the key features of the Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential is the wet cleaning function, but if you do not take care of the water supply system, it can become a source of unpleasant odor and stains on the floor.

Cleaning the water tank:

• Remove the tank by pressing the button on the back panel.
• Pour out the remaining water and wash the tank with a vinegar solution (1:1 with water) to remove lime plaque.
• Pay special attention to the filter of the tank (a small mesh inside) - wash it under a stream of water.

Cleaning of the cloth and the water supply mechanism:

1. Remove the washing module by pulling it up.
2. Wash the rag in the washing machine at 30°C without bleach or replace it (original art. ZNMS02WM).
3. Clean the water supply holes with a toothpick – they are often clogged with dust.
4. Check the silicone tubes for cracks. If they've lost their elasticity, replace them.

⚠️ Warning: Never use hot water or chlorine detergents for wet cleaning. This destroys seals and leads to leaks. The best option is distilled water or special liquids for robot vacuum cleaners.

If there are stains after cleaning, the problem may be in the wrong water supply adjustment. In the Mi Home app, check the humidity level setting (optimum - average).

5. Cleaning of sensors, sensors and vents

Sensors are responsible for navigation and safety Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential. their contamination leads to chaotic movement of the robot, collisions with furniture or falls from the stairs.

What sensors should be cleaned:

• 👁️ Laser sensor (LiDAR) – under a transparent cap on top.
• 📏 Infrared sensors - around the perimeter of the housing (black round holes).
• 🔳 Fall sensors, down, down.
• 💨 Ventilation holes - on the side walls.

How to clean properly:

1. For LiDAR, use a dry microfiber. Don't press the glass, it can interfere with calibration.
2. Clean the infrared sensors with a cotton swab, slightly soaked in alcohol.
3. Ventilation holes blow vacuum cleaner at minimum power or clean brush.
4. Dry the drop sensors with a dry cloth - they are often clogged with dust, which is why the robot is "afraid" to approach the edges.

After cleaning the sensors, it is recommended to reset the card in the Mi Home app:

Device settings → Map → Reset card

This will help the robot recalibrate navigation with clean sensors.

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Regularly cleaning the sensors (every 2 weeks) increases navigation accuracy by 40% and reduces the risk of collisions with furniture.

Smell removal and disinfection

The smell of a robot vacuum cleaner is a common problem, especially if the device is used for wet cleaning.

• Stagnant water in a tank or tubes.
• Mold on a rag or in a water compartment.
• Organic residues (wool, food waste) in a dust container.

How to eliminate the smell:

1. Wash all removable parts (container, tank, rag) with a solution of vinegar or citric acid (2 tbsp. l. per 1 liter of water).
2. Dry the robot in the sun during the day. 3-4 Ultraviolets kill bacteria.
3. For disinfection, use special tablets for robot vacuum cleaners (for example, Xiaomi Cleaning Tablets).
4. Place a bag of activated carbon in a dust container - it will absorb the residual odors.

If the smell persists, check the drainage hole in the water tank (the small hole at the bottom).It often clogs and becomes a source of mold. Clean it with a needle and rinse the tank with boiling water (no dipping of electronic parts!).

For prevention:

• Always drain the water from the tank after cleaning.
• Keep the robot in a dry, ventilated place.
• Once a month, perform a complete disinfection with vinegar.

7. Inspection and maintenance of wheels and suspension

The Xiaomi Vacuum Mop Essential wheels and suspension provide maneuverability, but over time, dirt, hair and thread accumulate on them, leading to slowing down or blocking.

How to clean the wheels:

1. Turn the robot over and examine the wheels for wound hair.
2. Then, pull the wheels down (they are attached to the latches).
3. Clean the axles and bearings from dirt with a toothbrush.
4. Lubricate the axles with silicone lubrication (do not use oil-based oils!).

Suspension maintenance:

• Check the rubber shock absorbers for cracks.
• Clean metal hinges from dust - they are responsible for smoothness of the course.
• If the robot began to "jump" while moving, the suspension springs may have weakened (replacement is required).

Tip: If one of the wheels is spinning tightly, check if there's a small pebble or sand in the mechanism, which is a common cause of the robot's irregular motion.

8 Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them

Many users make mistakes that not only don't improve the performance of the robot, but can also disable it.

• 🚫 Use of aggressive detergents – they destroy plastic and rubber seals.
• 🚫 Drying parts with a hair dryer or on a battery - leads to deformation.
• 🚫 Cleaning electronic components with wet fabric - the risk of short circuit.
• 🚫 Ignoring small parts (such as the mesh on the tank) – they are critical to the job.
• 🚫 Independent disassembly of the body without experience - you can damage plumes or sensors.

Another common mistake is to scavenge irregularly, and many people wait for the robot to "get bad," but by then, the pollution has already caused damage to the machinery.

If you are in doubt, contact the Xiaomi service center. the cost of professional cleaning usually does not exceed 1000-1500 RUB, but you will be sure that everything is done correctly.