Full instructions for cleaning the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Mi: from brushes to sensors

Why regular cleaning of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Mi is not a fad, but a necessity

You spent money on a smart cleaning assistant, but after a month he started sucking worse, humming like a tractor and quitting work in half the room? 90% of the problems with the robot vacuum cleaners Xiaomi Mi (including models Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) arise from the banal pollution. Dust clogs filters, hair is wound on the shafts of brushes, and sensors are covered with greasy film – and your “smart” gadget can no longer navigate normally in space.

The manufacturer recommends cleaning the robot after every 3-5 cleaning cycles (or once a week for daily use), but few people follow this rule until the vacuum cleaner begins to “catch up.” In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step cleaning of all nodes, from a side brush to a laser LDS sensor, and also tell you what user errors reduce the life of the equipment by 2-3 times.

Spoiler: if you have never removed the cover of the dust collector and not washed HEPA-filter, prepare for surprises. There's often enough dirt underneath that's enough to fill a small pile of compost.

What you need to clean: a mandatory and recommended set of tools

You don't have to run to the store to get professional equipment, you can find everything you need at home.

• 🧹 Soft brush (an old toothbrush or makeup brush is suitable) - for cleaning brushes and hard-to-reach places.
• 🧴 Soap solution (warm water) + dishwashing agent) - for washing filters and dust collectors.
• 🧻 Microfiber wipe - for cleaning the case and sensors (does not leave a pile!).
• ✂️ Scissors or tweezers – to remove wound hair and thread.
• 🔧 Screwdriver (cross) - only for models with a removable bottom panel (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum) 1S).

Optionally, but extremely useful:

• 💨 A compressed air canister (for blowing turbines and electronic boards).
• 🧽 Wet wipes for equipment (without alcohol!) - for quick cleaning of the case.
• 🔋 Multimeter – to check the resistance of the motor brushes (relevant if a malfunction is suspected).

⚠️ Warning: Never use abrasive sponges, metal brushes or solvents (acetone, gasoline) to clean the Xiaomi Mi, which will damage plastic and rubber seals, which will lead to loss of leakage of the dust collector.

Step-by-step cleaning of dust collectors and filters: why they can not just shake out

The dust collector is the “heart” of the robot, and its improper cleaning reduces the life of the equipment on the ground. 30-40%. Many users limit themselves to opening the lid and shaking the trash in the bucket, which is a big mistake: it's left inside. 60% fine dust, which then gets back into the air and clogs the filters.

How to clean properly:

1. Remove the dust collector – press the button (or lever) on the side of the case and pull the container over yourself.
2. Separate the filter — most Xiaomi Mi models have it mounted on latches or threads. In the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, for example, the filter is screwed counterclockwise.
3. Wash the container with warm water and soap, paying attention to rubber seals at the edges - this is where most of the dirt accumulates.
4. Clean the filter: 🌬️ HEPA-filter (white, folding "accordance") wash under running water without pressing - it can not be rubbed or twisted. 🔄 The carbon filter (black, in models with the function of aromatization) can only be vacuumed or blown with air - the water will spoil it.

Please.

Do not dry with a hair dryer or on a battery

⚠️ Attention: If the robot sucks worse after cleaning, check if the filter is installed correctly. In Xiaomi Mi models, it must enter the groove before the click, otherwise an air suction is created, and the suction power drops by 50%.

Remove garbage from the container |Run the container with soap solution |Extract and clean the filter |Dry all the details 24+ hours |Install the filter before clicking-->

Brushing: How to remove hair and threads without damaging the shaft

The side and main brushes are the most "suffering" parts of the robot. The hair, threads and fur of the animals are wound on the shaft, blocking the rotation. If you do not clean the brushes regularly, the motor overheats, and the robot begins to emit an error Error 9 ("jamming the brush").

Cleaning instructions:

• 🔄 Side brush: Remove the brush by pulling it sideways (in some models you need to press the lock). Remove the wound hair with scissors or tweezers. Don't pull the hair with your hands, so you can damage the bristles. Wash the brush underwater and dry. Check the axis of rotation – if it is contaminated, clean it with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

Main brush.

1. Remove the brush cover (usually attached to 2-3 latches).
2. Remove the brush by pressing the locks on the sides.
3. Remove hair from the shaft and bearings. It is convenient to use a plastic knife (for example, for oil) - it does not scratch the plastic.
4. Clean the bristles with a toothbrush soaked in soapy solution.
5. Check the contact areas on the brush and in the robot’s nest – they should be clean (wipe with alcohol if necessary).

If the bristles on the brushes are worn or deformed, it must be replaced. For Xiaomi Mi models, the original ZNMS01WM (side) and ZNMS02WM (main) brushes are suitable, as well as analogues from Roborock (they are compatible with mounts).

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To reduce the hair wound on the brushes, before cleaning, vacuum the carpets with a conventional vacuum cleaner with an animal nozzle - this will remove up to 80% of long hairs.

Turbine and duct cleaning: why the robot whistles and loses power

If your Xiaomi Mi is loudly buzzing, whistling, or sucking dust, the problem is most likely the turbine (fan) that eventually accumulates fat dust on its blades, which disrupts the balance and creates vibration, and in neglected cases, this can lead to engine bearings breaking down.

How to clean the turbine:

1. Unscrew the bottom panel of the robot (in most models it is mounted on 4-5 screws).
2. Remove the turbine cover - it is usually fixed with latches.
3. Remove the large debris with tweezers, then blow the turbine with compressed air (keep the balloon 10-15 cm away so as not to damage the blades).
4. Wipe the blades with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol (do not use water!).
5. Check the ducts, and often the garbage accumulates in the plastic ducts that lead from the dust collector to the turbine, and clean them with a flexible brush.

If the whistle is not lost after cleaning, the bearings of the turbine may be worn out, in which case only a replacement module (the ZNMS05WM detail for most Xiaomi Mi models) will help.

Sensor care: why the robot beats furniture and sees no obstacles

Xiaomi Mi’s navigation system includes several types of sensors: laser (LDS), infrared (IR), gyroscope and fall sensors. If any of them is contaminated, the robot starts to “glut”: does not build a map, does not see a wall or falls down stairs.

How to clean:

• 🔦 laser sensor (LDS): Remove the top cover (in models with the LDS It's transparent and rotates. Rub the sensor glass with a microfiber wipe dipped in an alcohol solution (70% isopropyl alcohol). + 30% distilled water. Blow the insides with a spray of compressed air (without touching the details!). ⚠️ Note: Do not use for cleaning. LDS wet wipes or paper towels – they leave a pile that scatters the laser beam and impairs the accuracy of the map.
• 📶 Infrared sensors (located around the perimeter of the housing): Wipe them with a dry microfiber. They are sensitive to greasy traces (for example, from the fingers); check if the sensors are closed with stickers or protective film (relevant for new robots).

Fall sensors

1. Clean them from dust with a brush or compressed air.
2. Make sure nothing blocks the infrared beam (such as accumulated dirt).

After cleaning the sensors, perform the calibration:

1. Place the robot on a flat surface.
2. Press the Home and Spot buttons for 3 seconds (before the beep).
3. Wait 1-2 minutes – the robot will perform a self-diagnosis.

If calibration doesn’t help, reset the room maps in the Mi Home app and restart the robot.

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Cleaning LDS sensors should be done at least 1 time every 2 months – this is critical for accuracy of navigation. Dust on the sensor glass can reduce the scanning range by 40%!

Wheel and suspension cleaning: why the robot rides crooked or can not overcome the thresholds

If your Xiaomi Mi starts waving in a straight line, getting stuck on carpets or not going to the doorsteps, the problem is the wheels or the suspension, most often the fault is: contaminated axles, worn-out rubber tires or jammed shock absorbers.

Step-by-step cleaning:

1. Remove the wheels: Turn the robot over and pull the wheel off by pulling it on itself (some models need to unscrew the screw first). Clean the axis of the wheel with a cotton swab. Check the rubber tire - if it is worn or cracked, replace it (the original wheels for Xiaomi Mi have the article ZNMS03WM).
2. Clean the suspension: Remove dust and hair from the suspension mechanism (it is under the main wheel). grease the plastic gears with silicone lubrication (do not use WD-40 or oil-based!).

Check the front wheel.

• It's not removable, but it can be cleaned with a brush.
• Make sure the wheel rotates freely – if it wedges, the robot will “scour” the room.
• ⚙️ Pump and tubes: 1 time in 3 months, pour the system with clean water with citric acid (1 tsp. per 1 liter of water) to remove the scale. Check the silicone tubes for cracks - if they burst, the water will get into the electronic filling.

⚠️ Attention: If the robot starts leaving the stains on the floor, the problem is not the rag, but the water regulator. It's under the tank and often clogged with lime plaque. To clean, remove the tank and flush the regulator under the water stream.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about cleaning the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Mi