Owning smart appliances means not only comfort, but also responsibility for regular maintenance. Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners and their sub-brands, such as Roborock or Dreame, are known for their reliability, but even the most advanced models require systematic care. If you ignore the basic rules of hygiene of the device, its efficiency decreases and its life is reduced by many times.
Many owners mistakenly believe that it is enough to empty the garbage container in time. In fact, clean filters, side brushes and, most importantly, navigation sensors are critical to stable operation. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly clean the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner to keep it running on the first day of operation.
To start with, regular cleaning isn't just aesthetics, it's a necessity for mapping algorithms to work properly and prevent getting stuck. Animal dust, hair, and fur can disable even the most expensive machinery, so before you start your device in the next cleaning cycle, make sure you take time to maintain it.
Preparation for maintenance and security measures
Before you start cleaning, you need to get the device right, never try to wash the main body of the robot under a stream of water or immerse it in a liquid. Inside are electronic boards that will instantly fail when they come into contact with moisture. All manipulations are done only with the removable elements removed.
The first step should always be to shut down the device completely. If your robot has a removable battery, it is better to remove it, although in most modern Mijia or Roborock models the batteries are not removable. In this case, just make sure that the robot is turned off by the button on the case or is in sleep mode after cleaning is completed.
To clean properly, you need a minimal set of tools, you don't need to buy specialized chemicals, you need to buy basic tools that are available in every house, and the use of aggressive solvents can damage the plastic elements of the case.
- 🧹 A small brush with a long handle (often included) to remove hair from hard-to-reach areas.
- 💧 Dry lilaless wipes made of microfiber for wiping sensors and body.
- ✂️ Scissors or a special knife to remove hair and thread wound on the brushes.
- 🌬️ Vacuum cleaner (normal wired) for pre-cleaning filters from the bulk of dust.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to use a vacuum cleaner to suck large objects or liquids through the robot's filters, which can irrevocably damage the filtration structure.
Once you've got the workspace and tools ready, you can go straight to disassembling the parts. It's important to do everything in sequence so you don't lose any small screws or fasteners. Carefulness at this point ensures that you don't have any extra parts left after you've assembled.
Cleaning of main dust collector and filters
The heart of any robot vacuum cleaner's filtration system is a dust collection container. In Xiaomi models, it's usually located at the top of the case. Remove the container by pressing the lock and open the lid to access the insides. The primary cleaning is to remove large debris.
Particular attention should be paid HEPA-It's the element that traps the smallest particles of dust and allergens. Many users make the mistake of just shaking the filter out, but to clean it deeply, you have to gently knock it out with a little tapping on the wall of the trash can. HEPA-Water filters are allowed, but only if explicitly stated in the instructions for your specific model, and only after a thorough drying within 24 hours.
If the filter has a metal mesh prefilter, you can wash it under warm water without using detergents, but remember, putting a wet filter back into the robot will cause moisture to enter the engine and cause an unpleasant smell. Always have a spare set of filters to change them while the wet one dries.
After cleaning the filter, inspect the interior walls of the container, which often settles fine dust, which eventually turns into a dense plaque, wipe the interior surfaces with a dry cloth. If there is fat on the walls (relevant to kitchens), you can use a slightly damp napkin, but then the container should dry completely.
Maintenance of main and side brushes
The main turbobrush is the element that takes the bulk of the load, and over time, the hair, animal hair and thread are wound on its axis, and this creates additional resistance, which can cause the motor of the brush to overheat or burn, and regular cleaning of the brush shaft is a mandatory procedure.
To extract the main brush, flip the robot over and open the protective cover. Gently pull the handle to take out the shaft. Using scissors or a included knife, cut the tangled lump of hair along the axis and remove it. Don't pull hard so as not to damage the bearings at the ends of the shaft.
- 🌀 Check the bearings on the ends of the brush – they should rotate freely, without creaking.
- 🧶 Remove the entire winding not only from the bristles, but also from the plastic elements of the shaft.
- 🔩 Examine the hole where the shaft is inserted for the presence of foreign objects.
Side brushes (usually two or three) also require attention, they are responsible for sweeping debris from under the boards and corners. Often, their axes are the ones that wind their long hair, which leads to skewing and characteristic knocking when working. Remove the side brush by pulling it upwards (it holds on the latches), and clear the axis of debris.
☑️ Checklist for brush maintenance
If the bristles on the main or side brushes are severely worn, softened or broken, they must be replaced. Wiping the bristles by more than 30-40% significantly reduces the quality of cleaning. For Xiaomi and Roborock models, original and compatible brushes are available everywhere and are inexpensive.
Navigation Sensors and Wheels: Hidden Pollutants
One of the most common reasons a robot vacuum cleaner starts to "glut," crash into furniture or fall down stairs is because of contaminated sensors, and there are optical sensors on the bottom of the housing and on the bumper that scan the surface and obstacles, and the dust on the lenses of the crash or collision sensors distorts the data.
Wipe all visible sensor windows with a dry microfiber wipe. The movements should be soft, without much pressure. It is especially important to clean the sensors located in the niches of the wheel arches and under the bumper. Even a thin layer of dust can make the robot think that it is over the abyss, and it will start to back down.
| Type of sensor | Location. | Symptoms of pollution | Cleaning method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall sensors | Lower part, perimeter. | Robot doesn't drive, 'fears' of floor | Dry napkin. |
| Bumper sensors | Front of the hull | Notice obstacles, beat furniture | Dry napkin. |
| Wheel sensors | Inside the wheel niches | "Wheel hung" errors | Brush + napkin |
| Laser rangefinder (LDS) | Upper tower block | He builds a wrong map, loses orientation. | Dry napkin (careful!) |
Special attention should be paid to wheels, which are stuffed with dust and hair, which makes it difficult to spin. The robot can start to give out a wheel error or just not get through the thresholds. Turn the device and spin the wheels with your hand — they should turn with little effort, but freely.
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To clean hard-to-reach areas in wheel niches, use an old toothbrush that perfectly penetrates narrow gaps and sweeps out compressed dust.
If you notice one wheel spinning harder than the others, you may have a lot of hair wound on the axle. Carefully tuck the wheel (without removing it completely, unless you are sure of your abilities) and remove the winding. After cleaning, check the free ride again.
Contacts of charging station and battery
The charging station is the base where the robot returns to recharge, and the surface and the robot's own feedbacks eventually produce oxidation and dust plaque, which leads to increased resistance and poor contact, which can cause the robot to stop charging or to permanently interrupt charging.
Wipe the contact areas on the robot and the station with dry cloth. If you see traces of oxidation (dark plaque), you can use a cotton swab slightly soaked in alcohol, but only after the station is off the grid! Let the contacts dry completely before turning on.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal objects (scraps, screwdrivers) to clean the contacts so as not to scratch the coating and cause a short circuit.
Also check the charging station itself for dust in the area of the vents (if any) and on the bottom that comes into contact with the floor.The sticky surface of the station can collect wool, which is then transferred to the robot's wheels.
Cleaning of the laser rangefinder (LDS)
Xiaomi and Roborock models with the letter "L" or "S" in the name often feature a laser rangefinder located in a characteristic cylinder at the top. These are the "eyes" of the robot. A laser rotates inside the cylinder, and if dust or grease enters the protective window, the scan quality will drop dramatically.
Carefully wipe the transparent window of the laser unit with dry soft cloth. You don't have to disassemble the unit itself unless you have the skills to repair electronics. You have to clean it externally. Dirt on the laser lens causes the robot to build "double walls" on the map or not see transparent glass doors.
What to do if the laser stops spinning?
Regularly checking this node avoids navigation problems, and if a robot gets lost in a familiar room or starts building a map anew every time it starts, 90% of the time it gets stuck in the laser window.
Frequency of maintenance and replacement of consumables
How often should you clean a robot? It depends on the operating conditions. In an apartment with pets and long-haired tenants, you will have to clean the brushes and wheels every 2-3 days. Filters in this environment are changed every 2-3 months. In an ordinary apartment without animals, you can do general cleaning once a week, and the filters are changed every six months.
Remember to update the software through the Mi Home or Roborock app. Sometimes manufacturers release patches that improve obstacle-bypassing algorithms or battery work. Go to Settings → About device → Check for updates.
- 📅 Daily: Devastation of the dust collector.
- 📅 Weekly: Cleaning filters, brushing, wiping sensors.
- 📅 Monthly: Wheel cleaning, charging contacts, side brush checking.
- 📅 Once 6-12 months: Replacement HEPA-filter, main brush and side brooms.
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Timely replacement of consumables (filters and brushes) costs 5-10 times cheaper than engine repair or battery replacement, which failed due to overloads.
By following these simple rules, your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner will serve you faithfully for years to come. A clean robot cleans better, works quieter, and requires less human intervention. Take a little time to clean your home.