Leather “basterds” on the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: how to install and configure

Many Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners have a problem: standard rubber or bristling brushes don't do well with long pile, animal hair, or dust in the corners. The solution is leather brushes (popularly "basterds"), which are better at capturing garbage and getting hair less mixed up, but how do they fit properly on models like the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, Roborock S7 or Dreame Bot Z10 Pro?

Leather nozzles are not an official Xiaomi accessory, so installing them requires care. Incorrect installation can lead to loss of warranty, breakage of the brush shaft or even damage to the main vacuum cleaner module. We will explain how to avoid errors, select compatible brush models and explain why calibration of sensors may be necessary after replacement.

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1. What leather brushes are suitable for Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners

Not all bastards are universal — their shape, size and material depend on the model of the vacuum cleaner. For most Xiaomi and Roborock devices (S5/S6/S7/S8 series, Mi Robot 1S/2/2 Pro) brushes with a width of 220-250 mm and a clip type mount are suitable.

• 📏 Length of the working surface: must match the original brush (±For Roborock. S7 235 mm optimally for Mi Robot 2 Pro – 225 mm.
• 🔗 Type of attachment: Most leather brushes are fixed to a standard shaft with plastic clips. Check if you have adapters for your model.
• 🧼 Material: natural leather will last longer (1-2 years), but requires care. artificial leather is cheaper, but wears out faster when in contact with sand.
• 🔄 Pile direction: some brushes have an asymmetrical pattern - they must be installed strictly on the arrow (usually indicated on the back side).

Popular brands that users test: Yocada (a Chinese manufacturer specializing in accessories for Roborock), Vacmaster (universal brushes with adjustable width), Xiaowa (budget option, but there are often fakes). brushes from iRobot (for example, for the Roomba 980) will not physically fit to the shaft Xiaomi – mounts are incompatible.

⚠️ Attention: Leather brushes can increase the load on the main brush engine by 15-20%. If your vacuum cleaner is already "slowing down" on the carpets, after installing the "bastard", the problem will worsen. Before buying, check the condition of the shaft and bearings - a backlash of more than 1 mm will make the installation meaningless.

2.What will be needed for installation: tools and preparation

You don't need any special skills to replace your brushes, but without training, you can damage the vacuum cleaner.

• 🔧 Flat screwdriver (for dismantling the original brush, if it is boiled).
• 🧴 Silicone lubricant (e.g, WD-40 Specialist) - for processing the shaft with difficulty in rotation.
• 📸 Smartphone – to photograph the initial position of the brush (important for models with asymmetrical fastening).
• 🧹 Soft brush – to clean the shaft from dust and hair before installation.

Before starting work, fully charge the vacuum cleaner - some models (for example, Roborock) S7 MaxV) block access to the brush when the battery level is low, and we also recommend resetting errors in the Mi application. Home/Roborock, If they were (the state of the matter) → Mistakes).

Take a picture of the initial position of the brush |

Clean the shaft of dust and hair |

Check the back shaft (permissible ≤1 mm)|

Charge the vacuum cleaner to 100%|

Prepare silicone lubrication (if necessary)-->

3. Step-by-step instruction: how to remove an old brush and install a leather one

The replacement process takes 10-15 minutes, but requires precision.

1. Turn the vacuum cleaner off the grid and flip it upside down. On self-lift models (like the Roborock S7), press the Brush Up button in the app.
2. Remove the original brush: Most Xiaomi models hold the brush with plastic clips on the sides — press them simultaneously and pull the brush over yourself. If the brush doesn't lend itself, apply the pin with a screwdriver (carefully so you don't break it!). On the Dreame Bot Z10 Pro, the screw mount is screwed — you'll need a cross screwdriver.

Clear the shaft.

Do not use alcohol or acetone - they can damage the plastic parts of the shaft.

Install a leather brush.

• Combine the brush mounts with the grooves on the shaft. Some models (e.g. Yocada) have an arrow that should look in the direction of the vacuum cleaner (usually forward).
• Hold the brush until you click, and make sure it doesn't hang around or cling to the body.
• Check the rotation manually - the brush should rotate freely, without creaking. If you feel resistance, apply 1-2 drops of silicone lubricant to the shaft (not on the brush itself!).

⚠️ Note: After installing the Roborock leather brush S7 And Mi Robot 2 Pro can give you an Error 9 error, which is a problem with the main brush. That's OK -- drop the bug in the app and restart the vacuum cleaner. If the error is repeated, check if the brush is skewed.

4. Customization of the vacuum cleaner after installation of leather brushes

Leather brushes change the behavior of the vacuum cleaner — it can start to "twist" on the carpets or worse cope with large debris.

• ⚙️ Calibrate sensors: In the Mi Home app, go to Settings → Additionally. → Calibration of sensors. For Roborock, the path: Settings → Service → Calibration of the main brush.
• 📉 Adjust the suction power: Leather brushes work better at medium power (Balanced or Quiet). Max mode can cause the engine to overheat. On models with Carpet Boost function (for example, Roborock). S7) Turn it off - the leather brush itself effectively collects the pile.
• 🧹 Set up a cleaning schedule: Increase the cleaning frequency by 20–30% – leather brushes collect more dust per pass, but clog faster. Add an additional passageway around the edges of the room (in the zone cleaning settings).

Laser-scanned models (such as the Roborock S6 MaxV) may need to re-map the room after replacing the brush, which is due to a change in vacuum cleaner height – leather brushes are usually 2-3 mm thicker than the original ones.

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If the vacuum cleaner starts to stall on the carpets, try to reduce the pressure of the brush on the surface. To do this, manually lower the front part of the vacuum cleaner (where the brush is located) by 1-2 mm using adjusting legs (if you have them in your model).

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right installation, users face problems. Let's look at the most common ones.

One of the most insidious mistakes is ignoring the direction of the pile, so if you have a brush that's anti-wool, it's not going to pick up garbage, it's going to throw it away. On some models, like the Yocada Premium, the direction is in fine print on the inside -- use a magnifying glass to make sure you don't go wrong.

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Leather brushes require running-in! The first 2-3 cleanings may seem less efficient, which is normal. The skin should "grow" to the surface and the shaft. After running, the efficiency will increase by 30-40%.

6. Leather brush care: how to extend the service life

Leather nozzles last 2-3 times longer than the original, but only with proper care.

• 🧽 Cleaning after each cleaning: Remove the wound hair and threads with your hands (do not use scissors - you can damage the skin!). To remove dust, use a dry soft brush or vacuum cleaner at minimum power.
• 💧 Wet cleaning: Wash your brush with a wet microfiber cloth 1 time per week. Don't wet your skin! - this will lead to deformation. Use an alcohol-based spray (such as Mellerud) for disinfection, but spray it on a cloth, not on a brush.
• 🛠️ Maintenance: Apply skin conditioner (such as shoes) every 3 months to prevent cracking. If the brush starts to lick at the edges, flip it over (if the design is symmetrical).

⚠️ Warning: Never dry a leather brush in direct sunlight or near a battery! High temperatures lead to skin shrinkage and loss of elasticity. The best way to dry is to leave it in the shade for 12 to 24 hours after wet cleaning.

7. Comparison of leather brushes with other types: which is better?

Leather bastards are not a panacea. In some cases, the original brushes or their counterparts work better.

If your vacuum cleaner is used exclusively for wet cleaning (e.g., Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra with car wash), the leather brush may be redundant, in which case it is better to opt for the original rubber or silicone nozzle.

FAQ: Frequent questions about leather brushes for Xiaomi