Modern automatic cleaning devices have long ceased to be just a toy for techno enthusiasts. Today, a robot vacuum cleaner is a full-fledged assistant that can maintain order in the apartment without your direct involvement. Especially popular are Xiaomi brand models that combine powerful suction and wet cleaning.
However, many users buy the gadget and use it only 20% of the possibilities, limited to dry dust collection, the correct setting of the wet wipe allows you to remove dried stains and refresh the floor surface, which is critical for families with children or allergies.
In this article, we will discuss how to prepare the device for operation, install the module with water and configure cleaning scenarios through the application. You will learn nuances that are often forgotten to write about in brief instructions.
Preparation of the device and initial installation
The first step after unpacking is to properly install the docking station. The robot must freely enter the base, so you need to leave free space around it: at least 0.5 meters on the sides and 1.5 meters in the front. The charging station should stand on a hard, flat floor, not on a pile carpet.
Turn on the device by holding the power button or switching the switch on the bottom panel, depending on the model. The indicators should light up, signaling the start of the system. Now you need to remove all transport films, especially from the charging contacts on the case and on the base.
☑️ Primary training
You will need a smartphone to manage the functionality. Download the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home) from the official store. After registering for an account, click “plus” in the upper right corner to add a new device.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your phone is connected to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Most robot models do not support 5GHz, and the pairing process may be interrupted during the setup phase.
Installation of a wet cleaning module
The floor washing function is implemented through a special removable tank. Unlike a dry dust container, this module has a water tank and a cloth mount. Before installation, be sure to wash the tank with clean water to remove the production dust.
The next step is to prepare a microfiber wipe, so the tissue needs to be wet and squeezed out well, it needs to be wet, but it doesn't have to drip water, and excessive moisture can damage electronics or leave puddles on the floor.
Stick the fabric onto the Velcro or plastic clamps on the bottom of the tank. Make sure the edges don't hang or fall under the wheels. Insert the assembled module into the robot body before the characteristic click.
What happens if you pour detergent?
Once the tank is installed, the device automatically recognizes the new module, and the application may notify you of the transition to wet cleaning mode or request a choice of coating type.
Setup of the application and maps of the room
To work efficiently, the robot must see your home, run the first cleaning in Auto or Perimeter mode, while the lidar (laser rangefinder) or gyroscope scans the space, building a virtual map.
Once the scan is complete, the map will be stored in memory, and in the map section, you can edit the plan: divide rooms, install virtual walls and no-go zones, which is especially important for wet cleaning, so that the robot does not go on the carpet with a wet tank.
- 🚫 Virtual Walls – Create an invisible barrier that the robot will not cross.
- 🧹 Areas without cleaning – areas that the device will ignore completely.
- 💧 Zones with only water – a mode in which the robot does not suck up dust, but only wipes the floor.
The setting of the rooms allows you to set individual parameters for each room, for example, in the living room you can set the maximum suction power, and in the bedroom - the minimum noise level and the average water supply.
Modes of operation and intensity of water supply
The key to washing quality is water regulation. The Mi Home app typically has three or four levels: low, medium, high and intelligent, depending on the type of flooring and the degree of contamination.
For laminate and parquet, it is recommended to use a minimum level, this will prevent swelling of joints and damage to the coating, tiles or linoleum can be washed at medium or high power, especially if there is dried dirt.
| Type of coating | Recommended treatment | Water intensity |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate/Parket | Quiet/Standard | Low. |
| Tile/Paramogranit | Standard/Turbo | Medium/High |
| linoleum | Standard | Medium |
| Carpet coverings | Maximum | No water (dry) |
Some advanced models are equipped with automatic carpet recognition, and when a woolly coating is detected, the robot either increases the suction power or, if a water tank is installed, circles the carpet sideways.
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If the robot leaves too wet footprints, try changing the fabric to thinner or reducing the water supply level in the application settings. Also make sure the floor is pre-vacuum-free.
Maintenance and care
Regular cleaning is a guarantee of long-term service of the device, after each wet cleaning, you need to remove the tank, remove the napkin and let the tank dry, and the remaining water can become sour, which will lead to an unpleasant smell.
Once a week, you should wipe the sensors and wheels, and the Cliff sensors and lidar can accumulate dust, causing the robot to mis navigate or fall from the thresholds.
⚠️ Warning: Never wet the robot body or wipe it with a wet cloth when a water tank is installed inside.
The HEPA filter installed in the dust container also requires attention, and when wet cleaning, the air humidity increases, and the filter can clog faster, it needs to be knocked over the trash can and periodically changed.
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Timely replacement of consumables (filters, brushes, wipes) prolongs the life of the engine and maintains the quality of cleaning at a high level.
Frequent mistakes and their solution
Users often experience a robot "stuck" or reporting an error. Error codes are usually displayed in voice or in an app. The most common problems are with a side brush or wheels getting stuck.
If the device reports low water levels, even though the tank is full, check if the tank lid is tightly closed, the pump or feed channels may have clogged, and you can clean them with a thin needle or a special brush from the kit.
- 🔋 Battery error - check the contacts on the base and body, wipe them with dry cloth.
- 🌀 Main motor error – often caused by coiled hair on the brush.
- 📡 Card error – occurs if you move the base to a new location without resetting the old card.
In complex cases, a complete reset helps, usually by pressing two buttons on the case at the same time (depending on the model) for 5-10 seconds, and then you have to build the map again.