How to Clean the Filter of Xiaomi Robot Vacuum: The Complete Guide

Regular maintenance of smart appliances is the key to its long and smooth operation. Xiaomi’s vacuum cleaner robots have proven to be reliable assistants, but even the most advanced models require the attention of the owner.

If you ignore the maintenance, suction performance will start to drop and the motor may overheat. Many users make the mistake of simply shaking the container, forgetting to thoroughly clean the filter elements. In this article, we will discuss how to properly care for your device so that it lasts for years.

Timely cleaning allows you to maintain HEPA-And we need to do this with maximum filtration, which is especially important for people with allergies, and we need to do this with less noise and less energy.

Preparation for maintenance and safety

Before any manipulations begin, you need to make sure that the device is completely turned off. You should not rely only on software completion through the application - it is better to physically switch the switch to the OFF position. This ensures that the engine does not start accidentally during cleaning.

You'll need to prepare a workspace with good lighting, cover the desk with newspapers, or prepare a garbage container, because when you remove the container, some of the dust can wake up, you'll also need a soft brush, dry cloth, and possibly compressed air.

⚠️ Warning: Never start cleaning while the robot is at the charging station and the lights are on.This can short circuit or damage the electronics.

For complex contaminants, you can use distilled water, but only for washable elements. Conventional tap water can contain salts that, when dried, form a plaque that clogs the filter pores.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for cleaning

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Dismantling of the dust collector and primary cleaning

The first step is to remove the main dust container, which is located at the top of the case on most Xiaomi models and is fixed by the latches. Press the lock and gently pull the tank upwards, trying not to shake it sharply.

Open the garbage flap over the trash can. Knock lightly on the walls to remove the bulk of the dust. Don't use sharp objects to push through the debris, as you can damage the internal partitions of the cyclone type.

The wool and threads on the net often accumulate inside the tank, and they need to be removed mechanically using tweezers or scissors, and if left behind, they will interfere with normal air flow, putting extra strain on the vacuum motor.

Once the tank is free, wipe its inner surface with a dry cloth. Wet cleaning inside the container is acceptable, but before assembly it must be completely dry. The moisture inside the tank can lead to the adhesion of fine dust into clumps.

Cleaning technology HEPA-filter

The most important element of the system is HEPA-In Xiaomi robots, it's usually a cylinder or a rectangular block that's inserted into the end of the dust collector, and it's the one that traps the smallest particles of dust that have passed through the primary grid.

Carefully remove the filter from the compartment. If you see that it's covered in gray plaque, it needs to be cleaned. HEPA-You can use water to filter, but you have to do it right, so you can put it under a jet of cool water and rinse it until the water is clear.

Do not use detergents, brushes or sponges. Mechanical action can damage the thin fibers, and the filter will lose its properties. After washing, shake off the excess water with a light movement.

Can I dry the filter with a hair dryer?
Dry HEPA-The high temperature will deform the polymer fibers, after which the filter will become useless.

It's critical to let the filter dry completely, which takes 12 to 24 hours depending on the humidity in the room, and if you put a wet filter in the robot, you're going to get water into the engine and the electronics are going to fail.

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HEPA-The filter cannot be reused until it is completely dry. The wet filter is the main cause of the robot vacuum engine failure.

Side brush and wheel maintenance

The side brush collects debris along the walls and in the corners. Over time, hair and hair wind on its axis, which blocks rotation. To clean, turn the robot upside down and unscrew the locking screw (if any) or just pull the brush up.

Clean the bristles of dirt and make sure to check the landing site. There is often a dense layer of dust there. Wipe the area with a dry cloth. If the brush is badly worn or the bristles are broken, it is better to replace it with a new one.

The wheels of the robot also require attention. Pick up the device and check the free running of the wheels. If they spin tightly, then dust is stuffed inside. Use tweezers or toothpicks to carefully remove dirt from the axle.

  • 🧹 Wipe collision sensors and IR sensors with a dry microfiber for correct navigation.
  • πŸ”‹ Check the contacts of the charging station – oxidation can worsen charging.
  • πŸ‘€ Examine the main turbobrush roller for hair winding.
  • 🏠 Clean the wheels of sticky spots if the robot drove through the kitchen.

Clean wheels ensure that you position and map correctly, and if one of the wheels gets blocked by dirt, the robot will start to tow and may get stuck in the middle of the room.

Comparison of filter types in Xiaomi models

Different robot vacuum cleaners can come with different types of filtering systems, and understanding the differences will help you take care of your device and order your consumables on time.

Type of filterMaterialsCan I wash?Term of service
Standard HEPASynthetic fiberYeah (careful)6-8 months
E11/E12Paper/SyntheticsNo (dry cleaning only)3-4 months
AntibacterialImpermeable.No (impregnation will wash off)6 months
PreliminaryMetal meshYes (no restrictions)Indefinitely

Pay attention to the labeling when buying spare parts. Installing a filter with inadequate airflow resistance can adversely affect the suction system.

The Roborock and Mijia series often use the same size filters, but it is better to check with the article. Universal Chinese counterparts may have a lower material density.

πŸ“Š How often do you clean the robot vacuum filter?
After every cleaning.
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when a robot makes a mistake

Cleaning the main turbobrush

The central brush is the heart of mechanical cleaning, and it knocks the dust out of the carpets and sends it into the dust collector, and the hair is often wound at the ends, blocking the rotation.

Turn the robot over and remove the cover. Remove the brush. On many modern Xiaomi models (e.g., S50, S5 Max, S7), one side of the brush has a yellow or red removable cap.

Take this cap off, and there's often a tangle of hair inside, and clean it, wipe it, and put it back in, and you can wash it with water, but before you put it in, it has to dry completely.

If the brush makes a creak or hum, lubricate the bearings on the ends of the silicone oil droplets. Do not use WD-40 or other penetrating lubricants, as they can damage the plastic.

Care for sensors and charging station

On the bottom of the robot are differential altitude sensors and a wheel sensor, and the contamination of these sensors causes the robot to "lose out," fall down stairs, or make mistakes about getting stuck.

Rub the black windows of the sensors with dry soft cloth. Do not use wet wipes with alcohol, as they can leave stains or damage the coating of the lenses.

The charging station also requires maintenance. Wipe the contact areas at the dock and on the robot itself (metal tendrils) with an alcohol napkin or dry cloth. Oxidation of the contacts causes the robot to not charge or to constantly start and stop.

⚠️ Warning: Do not wipe sensors and contacts with a wet cloth immediately before charging. moisture can cause contacts to corrosion or short circuit.

Also check the space around the charging station. Remove wires, high-pile carpets and other obstacles so the robot can easily dock.

Frequency of maintenance and replacement of consumables

Cleaning regularity depends on the operating conditions: in an apartment with pets and carpets, you need to clean the filter and brushes more often than in an apartment with laminate and without animals.

Ideally, the container should be shaken out after each cleaning, and deep cleaning of the filter with water is recommended once in a week. 2-3 Full replacement. HEPA-Filter manufacturers recommend that every 6 months.

If you notice that the robot is getting louder, sucking up dust, or returning to base more often, that's the first signal you need to maintain. Don't ignore the notifications in the Mi Home app about changing the filter.

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Set a reminder in the calendar of the smartphone for every 2 weeks – this will help not forget about the planned cleaning of the filter and brushes.

How often should I change my side brush?
The side brush is recommended to be changed every 3-6 months. If the bristles are worn, stiff or out of shape, replacement is required sooner. A worn brush ineffectively sweeps debris to the central opening.
Can a robot be used without a filter?
No, it's not impossible. HEPA-The filter will cause fine dust to enter the engine directly, causing rapid wear and tear of the engine and the robot to fail, which is not covered by the warranty.
What to do if the filter breaks?
If even a small hole appears on the filter, it needs to be replaced, and through the break, fine dust will enter the dust collector, which then settles in the engine, and you can temporarily use the old filter, but only if it is intact.
Why does the robot say "Replace the filter" when I just washed it?
The resource counter is manually reset in the app. After cleaning or replacing, go to the device settings in the Mi Home app, find the "Filter" option and click "Reset" or "Replaced".