Many owners of smart equipment are faced with the fact that after buying a device in the box there are several accessories, the purpose of which is not always obvious. In particular, installing wet cleaning on Xiaomi Vacuum robots often raises questions for beginners, since the process requires a certain sequence of actions. Incorrect attachment of the module can lead to the fact that cleaning will become ineffective or even damage the flooring.
In this article, we will discuss the mechanics of attachment, the features of the configuration in the application and the subtleties of operation of the wet cleaning system. You will learn how to avoid the typical mistakes that users make when they first meet a robot washer. Understanding the principles of operation of the water module will prolong the life of your device.
Before you start installing, it's important to make sure that your device model supports wet cleaning. Not all versions of vacuum cleaners have the appropriate connectors and software algorithms for working with water. If you're sure of compatibility, you can move on to equipment preparation.
Preparation of a robot vacuum cleaner for the installation of the module
The first step is to stop the device completely. If the robot is in the charging station, you need to manually remove it and turn off the power button on the case. This is critical for safety, because connecting electronic components under voltage can lead to a short circuit. Make sure that the bottom of the case is dry and clean.
Next, you need to remove the standard dry garbage container, which can be mounted on latches or simply inserted into the compartment depending on the model. For the Roborock S5, S6, S7 and newer versions, the dismantling procedure is the same. The vacated compartment will be used to install the water tank.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to pour water into a dry garbage container or install a full water tank without first removing the dust container.
Check your device's equipment. The box should have a special combined tank (2-in-1) or a separate water tank with a rag platform installed, and it should have a microfiber wipe itself and possibly an additional frame holder, and the absence of any of these elements makes it impossible to start the wet cleaning mode.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Mechanical installation of the tank and mounting of the rag
The physical installation process depends on the type of design of your robot. Most modern Xiaomi models use a universal combined tank. At the bottom of this tank, there is already a plastic platform on which the fabric is pulled, and if you have a separate tank, it must be inserted into the compartment before the characteristic click.
The rag is attached to the platform in two main ways: by using Velcros or special clips on the sides. In Velcro models, the fabric has a reciprocal fluffy part that must fit tightly to the adhesive base on plastic. It is important to straighten the material so that there are no folds, otherwise the robot will leave divorces or pass obstacles worse.
If you use a clamping system, as in some versions of the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop, the edges of the fabric are stuck under plastic clamps on the sides of the platform. The tension should be uniform. A weakly secured fabric can wind onto the brush, which will cause the device to stop and an error in the application.
💡
Use only original rags or quality analogues with the right thickness of the pile. Too thick fabric can block the height sensors, and the robot will not be able to go to the doorstep or carpet.
Once the fabric is securely fixed, the module is carefully inserted into the robot body. When installing, watch for contacts (if any are on the tank) and guides. The device must enter the slots without undue effort. After installation, turn the robot on and wait for voice confirmation or an audible signal about readiness for operation.
Customization of cleaning modes in the Mi Home application
Once the module is physically installed, you need to activate the appropriate functions in the software. Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone and go to control your device. The interface may differ depending on the regional version of the firmware, but the logic remains the same.
In the cleaning settings menu, find the mode switch. You have to select the option "Wet cleaning" or "Washing only." In some versions of the software, a combined mode is available, where the robot first vacuums and then begins to wash, which is the most effective scenario for achieving perfect cleanliness.
| Regime. | Description of the work | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet | Minimum speed, economical consumption of water | Night cleaning, light pollution |
| Standard. | Average speed, uniform moisture | Daily Cleanliness Support |
| turbo | Maximum speed, intense friction | Old spots, kitchen, hallway |
| Maximum | Peak power, double pass | General cleaning in front of guests |
Pay attention to the water intensity setting. The app usually has three gradations: low, medium and high. For laminate and parquet, it is recommended to choose the minimum level to avoid swelling of the seams. For tiles and linoleum, you can set average values.
Features of operation on different types of coatings
Using wet cleaning requires understanding the physics of different materials. Wooden flooring, such as flooring or laminate, is extremely sensitive to excess moisture. Even if the robot delivers water in a dosed manner, prolonged exposure to a wet cloth in one area (for example, if the robot is stuck) can lead to deformation of the floor.
Carpets are another problem. Standard microfibers, when wet, start pulling water out of the pile, but if the carpet is long-tailed, the robot can just get stuck or stained with dirty rag water. Modern models can recognize carpets and either walk around them or lift the cleaning module (VibraRise feature in new models).
⚠️ Note: If your robot does not have automatic module lifting or carpet recognition, be sure to create virtual walls in the app to prevent entry into the carpet areas during wet cleaning.
For tile and granite, wet cleaning by a robot is the perfect solution. These materials are not afraid of water, and the rotational or translational motion system effectively removes sticky spots. However, it is worth remembering that the robot does not wipe dirt with effort like a human, so removing dried contaminants may require pretreatment or choosing a Turbo mode.
Care of wet cleaning and hygiene system
Regular maintenance of the module is the key to the long life of the device. After each cleaning, the cloth must be removed and rinsed; microfibers retain dust particles, which turn into abrasive when drying, and if you leave dirty cloth on the robot, the next time it starts, it will simply smear dirt on the floor.
The water tank itself also requires attention. The water should be drained immediately after cleaning is finished. Stagnant water is the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply and produce an unpleasant musty odor that will spread throughout the apartment during work.
Once a month, it is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning of the platform itself and sensors. Lime deposits can accumulate on plastic, especially if you use hard water. To remove scale, you can use a weak solution of citric acid, but thoroughly wash it off afterward.
Can we use detergents?
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
Users often experience a robot driving across the floor but leaving it dry, indicating clogging of the water outlet or an air plug in the feed system, try running wet cleaning while the robot is on base, and wait 1-2 minutes until water starts flowing to the cloth.
Another common problem is the appearance of puddles on the floor, which occurs when the water supply is not selected correctly, or when a too fluffy cloth is used that does not have time to release moisture, and also a software failure that requires the device to restart completely shut down the power supply.
If the robot reports an error, "Check the water tank," make sure the contacts on the tank and in the body of the robot are clean and dry. Oxidation of the contacts causes the device to "not see" the module and go into dry cleaning or stop.
💡
Regular replacement of the rag (every 3-6 months) is as important as replacing the filters: the thinned pile stops collecting fine dust efficiently and retains moisture worse.
Technical nuances and storage of the device
When you don't plan to use wet cleaning for a long time, the module is better dismantled. The constant pressure of the platform on the floor sensors can lead to their gradual degradation or calibration shift. You can't store the water tank in the assembled state.
For models with electronic water control, it is important to prevent the liquid from freezing inside the system. If the robot is stored in an unheated room (for example, in a country house in winter), the residue of water can expand and break thin tubes or pump housing.
When replacing accessories, pay attention to compatibility. The market is saturated with analogues, but the geometry of mounting between Xiaomi generations can vary by millimeters, which leads to a loose fit. Use original Xiaomi consumables or certified accessories to guarantee cleaning quality.