Cleaning the wheels of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: a complete guide with photos and tips

Why do Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner wheels require regular cleaning?

Xiaomi vacuum cleaners are smart assistants that save you time, but their effectiveness depends on the condition of the components. Wheels are one of the most vulnerable parts of the device. They contact the floor, collect hair, animal hair and small debris, which accumulates over time, making it difficult to move. If you notice that your robot vacuum cleaner has started to "twist", makes extraneous sounds or leaves traces on the floor, this is a sure sign that the wheels need cleaning.

According to service centers, up to 40% of robot vacuum cleaner failures are caused by clogging of wheels or side brushes, and 90% of these cases are solved by simple cleaning at home. In this article, we will discuss how to properly clean the wheels of Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum, Xiaomi Mijia 1C, Xiaomi Dreame and other popular models without damaging the mechanisms.

It's important to understand that ignoring the problem not only leads to lower cleaning quality, but also to increased wear and tear of engines and electronics. For example, if the wheel is blocked by dirt, the robot spends more energy overcoming resistance, which leads to overheating and shortened battery life. Next, a step-by-step instruction with nuances for different models.

What tools will you need to clean?

Before you start the procedure, prepare the necessary tools, most of which will be found in every home:

• 🔹 A flat screwdriver (preferably with a thin sting) - for careful slinging of fasteners.
• 🔹 Toothpicks or plastic shoulder blades – to remove hair from hard-to-reach places.
• 🔹 Soft brush (a tooth or brush for drawing is suitable) - for cleaning rubber surfaces.
• 🔹 Alcohol wipes or wet antibacterials – for disinfection and removal of sticky spots.
• 🔹 Vacuum cleaner with narrow nozzle - to remove dust from internal cavities.
• 🔹 Silicone lubricant (optional) - for processing axles after cleaning.

⚠️ Warning: Never use metal brushes, sandpaper or abrasive cleaning products. They will damage the rubber coating of the wheels and lead to loss of grip on the floor. Also avoid aggressive solvents (acetone, gasoline) - they can eat plastic parts.

If you have a self-cleaning model (such as the Xiaomi DreameBot D9 or Xiaomi Mijia 1T), you won’t need additional tools – just follow the station maintenance instructions.

Step-by-step: how to remove and clean the wheels

The process of cleaning the wheels of most Xiaomi models is similar, but there are nuances.

1. Turn off the robot and turn it upside down. If the battery is removable, remove it (it's safer).
2. Look at the wheel mounts. Most models have the wheel fixed to the axle by a latch or a screw: 🔧 Mi Robot Vacuum – the wheel is mounted on the latch, removed by a light press from the side. 🔧 DreameBot D9 — You need to unscrew one screw under the cross screwdriver. 🔧 Mijia 1C — wheel removed after removal of the plastic axis.

Take the wheel off carefully.

Clean the wheel and axle

• 🧹 Remove hair and debris from the rubber surface with a toothpick or brush.
• 🧴 Wipe the wheel with a wet wipe, then a dry cloth.
• 🔍 Check the axle for dirt or rust, clean it with alcohol if necessary.
• Lubricate the axle (optional). If the wheel is rotating with difficulty, apply a drop of silicone lubricant to the axle. Avoid grease on the rubber!
• Put the wheel back in and check its rotation. It should spin smoothly, without jamming.

⚠️ Attention: Wheel suspension models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) have a more complex design, the wheel is attached to the shock absorber. In this case, do not disassemble the mechanism completely if you are not sure of your skills.

How to remove complex contamination: hair, wool, sticky spots

Sometimes the wheels of a robot vacuum cleaner are covered with a dense layer of wool, thread or sticky substances (for example, after cleaning the kitchen), in such cases, standard cleaning will not help.

1. Animal hair and wool

Use a special hair removal tool (sold in pet stores) or make it yourself from an old plastic card, cutting the edge at a 45° angle. Carefully swipe the tool over the rubber surface of the wheel, putting on the hair. For hard-to-reach places, tweezers or needles will work (but act carefully so as not to puncture rubber).

2. Sticky spots (sweet liquids, glue, tar)

Apply some vegetable oil or dishwashing agent to a napkin, then wipe the contaminated area. After 5-10 minutes, remove the residues with a dry cloth. For persistent stains, use isopropyl alcohol (70% concentration), but do not keep it on rubber for more than 30 seconds.

3.Dried mud in the machinery

If dirt gets inside the wheel module, try blowing it with a compressor to clean the keyboard (pressure no more than 3 bar). Do not use wet cleaning methods inside the mechanism - this will lead to corrosion.

💡

If the hair is very entangled around the wheel axis, don't try to pull it out - it can warp the plastic. Instead, gently trim it with scissors, and then remove the remnants with tweezers.

Frequent mistakes when cleaning the wheels of a robot vacuum cleaner

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to breakdowns.

• 🚫 Cleaning the wheels “on weight” – if you do not fix the robot, you can damage the fall sensors or gyroscope.
• 🚫 Using water to wash wheels – moisture gets into bearings, causing corrosion.
• 🚫 The use of force when removing the wheel - this leads to cracks in the plastic case or a break in the wires (in models with sensors in the wheels).
• 🚫 Ignoring check after cleaning – if the wheel is installed incorrectly, the robot will wag when moving.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi DreameBot models with function LDS-After cleaning the wheels, you may need to recalibrate the mapping (laser sensor) and place the robot on a flat surface and hold the Home button for 5 seconds. If the robot is moving along a curve after cleaning, recalibrate the calibration.

Another common mistake is to clean the wheels less than 1 time per month. the manufacturer recommends that you check after every 10th cleaning cycle (or once every 2 weeks with heavy use).

Prevention: How to reduce wheel pollution

To clean your wheels less often, follow these tips:

• 📍 Remove from the floor long carpets with pile - they are wound on wheels.
• 🐕 Regularly combing out pets – this will reduce the amount of hair.
• 🧹 Use a wet cleaning robot (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) – a wet cloth collects some of the dirt before it hits the wheels.
• 🔄 Configure cleaning areas in the Mi Home app by eliminating areas with heavy pollution (such as a place near a trash can).

It is also useful to check the wheels after each cleaning in the "problem" areas: kitchen → near the refrigerator, hallway → near the shoe shelf, living room → under the sofa (cluster of dust).

If your model has removable wheel modules (like the DreameBot Z10 Pro), buy a spare set that will allow you to quickly replace the wheels in case of heavy pollution, without interrupting the cleaning.

💡

Regular cleaning of the wheels not only improves the maneuverability of the robot, but also reduces the load on the engines, extending the battery life by 15-20%.

When cleaning doesn't help: signs of wheel wear

If the wheels slip, make extraneous sounds, or the robot doesn't pull on the carpet after cleaning, it might be time to replace them.

• 🔴 The rubber became hard and cracked (loss of elasticity).
• 🔴 The treads (rimming) have worn off to a smooth state.
• 🔴 The wheel rotates with backlash or snags even after lubrication.
• 🔴 Deep cuts or detachments appeared on the rubber.

The service life of the wheels depends on the intensity of use: 6-12 months - with daily cleaning in a house with animals, 1.5-2 years - when cleaning 2-3 times a week in a clean apartment.

Replace the wheels yourself - original spare parts for Xiaomi are sold on AliExpress, in branded stores or service centers. The average cost of the kit (2 wheels) - from 800 to 1500 rubles. When buying, check compatibility with your model, as the mounts may differ.

⚠️ Warning: Don't buy cheap, unoriginal wheels - they are often made from low-quality rubber that bluffs quickly and loses traction.The original parts are labeled Mi or Dreame on the inside.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions