Modern models of robot cleaners from Xiaomi are able not only to collect dust, but also effectively wash the floors, simulating the movements of the mop. However, many owners face difficulties when using the wet cleaning function for the first time, not knowing how to properly prepare the device for operation. Incorrect preparation of the tank can lead to failure of electronics or poor quality results, so it is important to study the design of your model before starting operation.
The process of adding liquid seems simple, but in reality it requires compliance with a number of technical nuances, especially if you have an automatic station or module with an electronic water supply. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to pour water into a Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner, what types of fluids are allowed by the manufacturer and how to avoid common mistakes that are often made by beginners.
Determination of the type of humidification system
Before looking for a bay hole, you need to clearly understand what type of wet cleaning your Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum model supports. There are two main types of systems: passive (mechanical) and active (electronic). In passive systems, water is fed to the cloth by gravity through special valves that open only when moving. Active systems, such as the Xiaomi Mijia 1S or the newer Pro series models, have a built-in pump that delivers liquid metered, allowing you to adjust the intensity of humidification through the application.
It is important to distinguish a conventional dust container from a combined tank or a separate water module. Some devices, such as the Xiaomi Vacuum-Mop P, have a combined tank where the water compartment is located next to the dust collector, but has a separate neck. In more advanced models, such as the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10+, the water is poured directly into the self-cleaning base, which then feeds it into the robot itself. If you try to pour water into a conventional dust collector without a special container, you are guaranteed to damage the HEPA filter and motor.
To determine the type of system, consult the instructions or visually examine the bottom of the device. The presence of rubber valves at the bottom of the container and the absence of visible holes on top (except for a lid-protected hatch) indicates a passive system. Electronic tanks often have a more complex design with visible contacts to connect to the robot body.
⚠️ Warning: Never pour water directly into the main dust collection compartment unless you have a special combined tank or separate wet cleaning tank.
Preparation of water and detergent
The quality of the liquid used directly affects the life of the pump and the condition of the floor. Xiaomi manufacturer strongly recommends using only clean tap water at room temperature. Hot water can deform plastic parts of the tank and damage seals, and ice water can disrupt the electronic sensors of the fluid level inside the module.
Special attention should be paid to the use of detergents. Many users mistakenly add regular dish soap or detergent, which leads to the formation of abundant foam. The foam can penetrate the electronic components of the pump and cause short circuit or false readings of sensors. For robotic systems, there are special low foam concentrates that are safe for the internal mechanics of the device.
If you use well water or a reverse osmosis system, make sure it is not aggressively chemically composed.Distilled water is also not recommended for long-term use in some models, as the lack of minerals can affect the operation of electrical conductivity sensors that determine the level of liquid in the tank.
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The perfect solution is 1 liter of water and 5-10 ml of a special flooring tool for robotic vacuum cleaners, which will ensure cleanliness without the risk of foaming.
Instructions: pouring into a combined tank
For models with a combined tank, such as the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential, the preparation process requires care not to wet the dry compartment. First remove the container from the robot body by pressing the locking buttons on the sides. Make sure the dust collector is empty, and install a partition or special valve separating the dry and wet areas if it is removable.
Find a filler hole that is usually protected by a rubber cap or swivel cover.The case often has a MAX marking indicating the maximum filling level. Open the valve and slowly pour water, avoiding sudden movements that can lead to overflowing over the edge into the dry compartment. Close the lid tightly until a characteristic click.
☑️ Check before installation of the tank
Once the tank is filled, the platform with the cloth must be properly installed. The microfibre wipe must be evenly straightened and secured with Velcros or clips around the perimeter of the platform. If the cloth hangs or is assembled into folds, the robot can get stuck or leave divorces on the floor.
| Parameter | Recommendation | Forbidden. |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 20-25 °C | Hot (>40 °C) or icy |
| Type of water | Filtered tap water | Dirty technical water |
| detergent | Special (Low-foam) | Soap, powder, bleach. |
| Level of filling | To the mark. MAX | Overflowing |
Electronic water supply setting
In electronic pump models like the Xiaomi Mijia 1C or the Roborock S5 Max (Xiaomi ecosystem), you need to adjust the feed intensity after installing the tank. This is done through the Mi Home app. Connect the robot to Wi-Fi, go to the device settings and find the wet cleaning item, and here you can choose from low, medium or high modes.
The mode of choice depends on the type of flooring. Laminate flooring or parquet flooring is recommended to choose the minimum supply, so that moisture can evaporate instantly without penetrating the joints. Tile or linoleum can set medium or high intensity, which will allow better cleaning of contamination. Some models support intelligent recognition of carpets: when you enter the carpet, electronics automatically block the water supply.
If the robot was not used for a long time, an air bubble could form in the tubes. The application often has a "Pumping System" or "Cleaning" function, which should be started before the first cleaning after a long downtime, which will ensure that the cloth is wetted uniformly from the first seconds of operation.
What to do if water is not supplied?
Refueling the tank in the self-cleaning database
Flagship models like the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10+ or Dreame L10s Ultra have base stations that self-replenish the robot's tank, in which case the user pours water into a reservoir inside the base instead of the robot itself. Usually the base has two tanks: one for clean water and one for dirty water. It's difficult to confuse them, because they have different shapes and markings, but mindfulness does not hurt.
The process of filling the base is to remove the clean water tank, remove the lid, fill it with tap water, add the recommended detergent to a special compartment on the tank lid if the model provides it. Put the tank back into the base all the way up, and the robot will take the right amount of water before cleaning or washing the rags.
The smart base system controls the fluid level itself, and when the water in the robot's tank becomes scarce, it drives up to the station, and the pump pumps the desired volume, which allows you to clean large areas without your intervention, but if you notice that the robot has stopped washing the floor, check if the water in the base tank is running out and if the dirty water tank is full.
⚠️ Attention: The tanks of the self-cleaning bases should not be filled with water with large particles of debris or rust. This can clog the thin tubes of the pump inside the station, the repair of which will require disassembling the device and may not be considered a warranty case.
Care of the water supply system
Regular maintenance of the humidification system is critical for the long life of the device. After each wet cleaning, it is recommended to rinse the tank with clean water to prevent scaling and bacterial plaque, especially in regions with hard water, where salt plaque can block valves or pumps.
Do a prophylactic cleaning every two weeks, and you can use a weak solution of citric acid, pour it into a tank and leave it for 15-20 minutes, which will help dissolve mineral deposits inside the tubes and on the valves, after the procedure, be sure to thoroughly wash the tank several times with clean water to remove the remaining acid.
Remember the cloth. Microfiber should be washed after each cleaning, and changed to a new one every 2-3 months of active use. Grated fabric not only washes worse, but can scratch sensitive floor coverings. Always use original or certified accessories, as the thickness and viscousness of the fabric affect the patency of the robot and the quality of the adhesiveness to the floor.
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Regular tank washing and use of filtered water increase the life of pumps and valves by 2-3 times, keeping the cleaning efficiency at a high level.
Frequent problems and their solution
One common problem is that puddles appear on the floor after cleaning, which suggests that the water supply is too intense for this type of coating, or the rag is too wet. Try lowering the supply level in the application or pressing the rag more strongly before installing the platform. Also check if the platform fits tightly to the floor - if it is skewed, the water can flow out unevenly.
If the robot reports a water tank error or just doesn't start wet cleaning, check the module installation. Contacts may have oxidized or contaminated. Wipe them with dry soft cloth. In some cases, rebooting the device helps: turn off the robot with the power button, wait 10 seconds and turn it on again.
With prolonged storage (more than a month), it is recommended to completely drain the water from all containers. Stagnant water begins to bloom, an unpleasant smell appears, which will spread throughout the apartment during cleaning. Store empty tanks in disassembled form with open lids so that mold does not form inside.