Xiaomi’s robotic assistants are well-deservedly popular for their efficiency and ability to keep things clean without human intervention. However, even the smartest gadget requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly over time. Many owners mistakenly believe that emptying the container is enough, but it’s not enough to keep the navigation and suction system running properly.
Ignoring the hygiene of the device can cause the battery to wear out quickly, cause noise and even cause engine failure. Regular cleaning takes no more than 15 minutes a week, but can extend the life of expensive equipment for several years. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each unit that requires your attention.
Preparation for maintenance and safety
Before any manipulations begin, make sure the device is completely turned off. Turn the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum upside down to access the bottom panel.It is important to work in a well-lit place, preferably clothing the floor or using the table so that small details do not get lost and scratch the case.
Make sure you have all the tools you need on hand: a cross screwdriver (usually included), scissors to remove coiled hair, dry soft fabric and possibly compressed air.Wet cleaning of electronic components is strictly prohibited, so keep water away from the main unit.
⚠️ Warning: Never immerse the robot's main unit in water or wipe it with a wet cloth unless it is a removable water tank.
The maintenance process should begin with a visual inspection of the bottom, pay attention to the condition of the wheels and side brush, if you notice severe contamination or stuck objects, they should be removed first before starting to dismantle the main components.
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Use an old toothbrush to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas around wheels and sensors – it’s more effective than just blowing air out.
Maintenance of the main turbobrush
The central turbobrush is the heart of the cleaning system, collecting most of the garbage, and to extract it, you have to press the locks on the sides of the grate and remove the lid, and you take out the shaft, and you see that the hair, animal hair and thread are often wound at the ends and in the center.
Using scissors or a special blade from the kit allows you to carefully cut the fibers along the yellow marking on the shaft. Once cut, the bundles of hair are easily removed by hand. Remember to clean the bearings on both sides of the shaft, as there often accumulates dense dust that accumulates in the rotation.
- 🌀 Remove end caps from the brush shaft for deep axis cleaning.
- ✂️ Carefully cut the wound hair, trying not to damage the bristles.
- 🧹 Wipe the shaft itself with a dry cloth to remove sticky plaque.
Once cleaned, reset the brush, making sure it rotates freely by hand. A blocked shaft puts an excessive load on the motor, which can cause it to burn out. If the brush has severe wear or damage to the bristles, it should be replaced with a new one.
☑️ Weekly brush maintenance
Side brush and wheel cleaning
The side brush is responsible for sweeping debris from corners and along the boards. It is attached to a screw or latch (depending on the Xiaomi model). Once removed, remove all the wound hair. If the brush is deformed or the pile is worn, it will cease to work effectively, and it should be replaced.
Pay special attention to the main running wheels. They have a spring mechanism that allows you to cross the rapids. There is often dust between the wheel and the body that blocks the course. Use tweezers or a toothpick to clean the dirt from the gaps.
Check the little rotary wheel on the front, too, so it should rotate freely in all directions, and if it gets stuck, the robot will get lost in space and make incorrect maps of the room, and it may need to be cleaned carefully and wiped off.
⚠️ Warning: When cleaning the wheels, do not make excessive efforts to avoid damaging the height sensors located next to them.
Care for HEPA-filter and container
Air filtration is a critical step, especially for allergic people. Xiaomi robots use a cyclone-type system, but the final cleaning is performed by the company. HEPA-filter: it must be removed from the dust container after each cleaning or as the indicator is filled.
You can tap the filter lightly on the wall of the trash can to dislodge the bulk of the dust. You can wash the filter with water, but this should be done very rarely and only if it is highly contaminated, always drying it for at least 24 hours before installation. A wet filter will instantly disable the fan engine.
The dust container itself also needs to be flushed, with engine filters and filling level sensors at the top, and wipe them with a dry cotton swab, because water entering the sensor's electronic contacts will give false signals about the full tank.
How often do you change your bills?
For ease of comparison of service life of components, use the following table:
| Component | Frequency of cleaning | Time of replacement | Can I wash? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust container | After every cleaning. | 2-3 years | Yeah (no electronics) |
| HEPA-filter | 1 time per week | 2-3 months | No (dry cleaning only) |
| Turbobrush | 1 time per week | 6-12 months | Yeah (brush only) |
| Side brush | 1 time per week | 3-6 months | Yes. |
Navigation sensors and charging station
The robot's eyes are obstacle sensors and drop sensors located around the perimeter of the bumper and below the body, and the contamination of these sensors causes the robot to become "stupid": crashes into walls, falls off carpets or can't find a base.
Clean all the black sensor windows with a dry microfiber, pay special attention to the contact areas on the bottom of the robot and at the charging station, oxidation of the contacts leads to intermittent charging and rapid battery discharge.
Make sure to clean the charging station itself. Wipe its contacts and remove dust from the conductive lanes. Make sure there is a minimum of 0.5 meters of free space around the station on the sides and 1.5 meters in the front for proper docking.
A laser rangefinder (Lidar), if you have one in your Xiaomi model, also requires careful treatment. Rub the turret's protective glass with a soft cloth. Scratches on the glass can distort the map of the room.
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Clean sensors are the key to a correct map, and if a robot starts building a map with errors or gets lost, 90 percent of the time, it's the contaminated sensors that are the problem, not the software failure.
Fan engine and final assembly
Inside the container where the filter is attached, there's a fan engine, and sometimes fine dust gets in there, which starts to hum or whistle, blow this compartment with compressed air or gently walk through with a dry brush.
When you assemble, make sure that all the elements fall into place with a characteristic click. The turbobrush cover should close tightly, without gaps.
Once assembled, turn on the robot and start a test cleaning. The absence of extraneous noise and smooth movement confirm the correct actions performed. Regular maintenance is a guarantee that your Xiaomi will please you with a clean floor for many years to come.