Many owners of modern Xiaomi equipment find a special module with fabric in the kit after buying, but they do not always understand how to activate it. Errors during installation can lead to the fact that the device simply does not start washing the floor or, worse, wet the carpet. Proper installation of the detergent module is the first step to high-quality wet cleaning without stains and puddles.
There are several robot models, and the mounting design may be different, with some requiring you to just insert a tank, and some requiring you to snap the platform until you click, and in this article, we will go into detail the installation process for different Roborock and Xiaomi Vacuum series of devices so that you can avoid the typical mistakes of beginners.
Before you start a physical installation, you need to make sure that the water tank itself is full and ready to go. If you skip the preparation stage, the robot can start dry driving, which will cause the dust to be smeared instead of removed. Let's look at all the nuances of preparation and installation Step-by-step.
Preparation of the detergent module and choice of water
The first step is to prepare the tank itself, which is often bundled or purchased separately. You need to remove the tank from the body of the robot or a separate detergent if it is removable. It is critical to use only distilled or filtered water, since hard tap water quickly forms scale that clogs the pump's microholes.
Open the rubber cap on the top of the tank and pour the liquid to the MAX mark. Do not transfuse water above this level, otherwise when the valve is closed, the excess will spill out and may enter the electronic contacts. Once filled, tightly twist the lid, making sure that it has entered the slots.
Now you need to check the condition of the fabric itself. If you use a reusable microfiber, make sure it's clean and slightly moist, but not wet through. A dry cloth will only carry dirt on the floor, and too wet will leave traces and can damage sensitive floor sensors.
- 💧 Use only purified water to prolong the life of the pump.
- 🧼 Do not add conventional liquid detergents unless they are specifically designed for robots.
- 🚫 Avoid using chlorine-containing substances that can eat up plastic in the tank.
⚠️ Warning: Never fill the tank with hot water as this can deform the plastic walls of the tank and damage sealing gums.
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For better cleaning efficiency, you can add a special tool for robotic vacuum cleaners in the proportion specified by the manufacturer, usually a cap on a full tank.
Installation of the module in models with integrated tank
In most modern models, such as the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro or Roborock S5/S6, the water tank is combined with or installed instead of a dust container. First, turn the robot upside down, pre-turning it off with a button on the case. This is necessary for safety and so that you do not accidentally start the rotation of the brushes.
Find the locks on the sides of the main compartment, you have to press them or pull the tongue to extract the combined container. If you have a model with a separate water tank, remove the dry garbage container and install a water module in its place, and it must enter tightly and completely, without distortion.
Once you physically install the module, turn the device back on and turn it on. The robot automatically recognizes the presence of a water tank and suggests that you go to wet cleaning mode. If that doesn't happen, check if the module is fully inserted, often the problem lies in the small debris that has got on the contacts.
☑️ Verification of module installation
⚠️ Warning: If the robot emits a discontinuous sound signal and flashes the indicator, then the module is installed incorrectly or the water level sensor does not work.
Holder attachment with rag (mop)
The most critical thing is to attach the platform itself, the fabric, to the bottom of the robot, which may be a magnetic attachment or mechanical latch, and take the platform and spread the fabric so that it fits tightly around the plastic base.
If you have a magnetically attached model, just hold the platform to the bottom of the robot. You'll hear the characteristic click of the magnets as they connect. Make sure the platform doesn't hang around and fits uniformly across the area. For models with mechanical latches, combine the slots on the robot body and the platform, then press until it's fixed.
It is important to check that the fabric does not hang around the edges of the platform.The hanging edges can wind on the side brush or main wheel, which will lead to engine error.
- 🧲 Make sure the magnets are clean and there is no metal shaving on them.
- 🔒 Check the reliability of the fixation by slightly pulling the platform down.
- 🔄 Make sure the platform does not cover the floor pollution sensor (if any).
What to do if the platform falls off?
Setting the water supply level in the application
Once the physical installation is complete, you need to configure the software part through the Mi Home or Roborock app. Open the app on your smartphone, select your robot and go to the cleaning settings, where you will find the item "Water Level" or "Washing Intensity".
Choose the appropriate mode depending on the type of flooring you have, you can set a high level for tiles and linoleum, and you can set a minimum level for laminate and parquet to avoid swelling the seams, and the app allows you to save these settings for different rooms if you have a map of the room.
You can also activate the Carpets feature in the settings if your robot can recognize them, and in this mode, when you get on the carpet, the device will either stop the water supply or even turn off the cleaning module if it is removable and rises (in advanced models), which will save your carpets from getting wet.
| Type of coating | Recommended level | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Tile/Paramogranit | High/Maximum | You can use intense friction. |
| Linoleum/Vinyl | Medium. | Standard puddle-free regime |
| laminate | Low/Minimum | It is important to avoid moisture accumulation in the seams |
| Parquet/Tree | Minimum | It requires rapid drying. |
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
Even with proper installation, there can be nuances in the work, and one of the common problems is the uneven moisture of the rag, which can indicate a clogging of the pump outlet or an air traffic jam in the system. Try pressing the start button several times in the application to pump the system.
Another common mistake is that the robot gets lost or builds the wrong map after installing the module. The extra weight and change in the center of gravity sometimes affect the operation of the gyroscope, in which case it is recommended to start a full cleaning with the lid open so that the robot is recalibrated in space.
If you notice that the robot is leaving dry lanes in the middle of the route, check the density of the tissue, it may be strayed into a lump or not stretched enough on the platform, and also make sure that the fabric itself is not dry — in the dry state it does not absorb dirt.
- 🔇 Robot buzzes, but does not wash: check the water level and the absence of air traffic jams.
- 🗺️ Map knocked down: let the robot complete the calibration cycle without interruption.
- 💦 Leaves puddles: reduce the water supply level in the application settings.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing the module, the robot begins to leave strange marks or scratches on the floor, immediately stop cleaning.
Care of the wet cleaning system
Regular maintenance will extend the life of your robot. After each wet cleaning, it is recommended to remove the platform and rinse the fabric. Do not leave the wet cloth on the robot in the off state - this can lead to unpleasant odor and bacteria reproduction.
Once a week, wipe the plastic tank itself and the contacts on the robot with dry soft cloth. The lime plaque can be removed with a weak solution of citric acid, but you need to do this carefully, avoiding ingress of aggressive environment on electronics.
Store replaceable fabrics in a dry place. If you use disposable wipes, don't try to wash them and reuse them, they quickly lose their properties and can scratch the floor. Reusable microfibers are optimal machine washing at 30-40 degrees without using air conditioning.
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Regular cleaning of the tank and tissue replacement is the key to the absence of divorces and extending the life of your robot vacuum cleaner pump.