Owners of modern smart equipment often wonder how to fill the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi water to ensure perfect cleanliness in the house. This process seems simple, but there are important nuances, ignoring which can lead to the failure of expensive equipment.
Many users make the mistake of pouring tap water directly into the tank, which can quickly disable the pump membrane and fill microholes in the sole of the detergent. In this article, we will discuss in detail which liquid is best to use, how to avoid mold and how to properly maintain your device’s Smart Mopping System.
Before you start refueling, it is important to understand that the design of water tanks in different models Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum, Roborock and Vacuum-Mop may be different. Some models are equipped with electronic control of the fluid supply, others – gravity. Understanding the principle of operation of your particular model will help to avoid common errors in operation.
Preparation for wet cleaning: choice of liquid and container
The first step to cleaning is to choose the right liquid. The manufacturer strongly recommends not using hot water or boiling water, as this can deform the plastic elements of the tank. The optimal temperature of the liquid should be room temperature, about 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.
The ideal option for refueling is distilled water or water that has passed through a reverse osmosis filter, which is virtually free of calcium and magnesium salts, which form scale when dried, and scale is the main enemy of ultrasonic membrane pumps installed in top-end models of robotic vacuum cleaners.
⚠️ Warning: Never add liquid detergents, laundry gels or laundry air conditioners to your water tank. Foaming inside the system can cause the foam to enter the electronics and the robot to fail.
If you do want to use a specialized product, it should be specifically designed for robotic vacuum cleaners and labeled "Low Foam" (low foam), which is usually added in very small dosages, often no more than a cap on a full tank.
The preparation process also involves visual inspection of the tank itself, and before you pour a new batch of liquid, you need to make sure that there is no residue of old water inside the container that could have soured, and stagnant water is the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply and produce an unpleasant odor that will spread throughout the apartment while the device is running.
Step-by-step: how to properly pour water into the tank
The refueling process depends on the type of module installed. Most modern Xiaomi models use a combined 2-in-1 tank, where the dust compartment and the water compartment are separated by a partition. First, you need to remove the module from the robot body, usually you need to press the locking buttons on the sides or lift the upper cover.
Open a rubber cap or screw cover for the water compartment. In some models, such as the Roborock S5 Max or Xiaomi Mop 2 Pro, the filler hole is equipped with a protective mesh. Pour the water slowly so that the air can escape and the liquid does not slosh out again. Watch the MAX mark, excess levels can lead to leakage.
☑️ Checklist before wet cleaning starts
Once the tank is filled, you need to close the lid tightly until the characteristic click. If the lid is not sealed, the robot will start to flow out of water, which will lead to puddles on the floor. Make sure that the rubber seal is not crumpled and is not damaged.
The next important step is to install a microfiber wipe, which is attached to a plastic platform with Velcros, and the fabric must be evenly spread out, without folds, otherwise the robot will leave unwashed stripes or smear dirt. For models with electronic water control, it is also important to check that the contact areas on the tank and in the body of the robot are dry and clean.
Setting the water supply level through the application
After you physically refuel the tank, you need to adjust the humidification intensity, this is done through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app, go to your device's interface and find the cleaning mode settings, and there you will see a slider or a selection of levels: "Low", "Medium", "High" or "Custom".
For daily maintenance cleaning on hard coatings such as laminate or linoleum, it is recommended to choose a minimum or medium level, this will remove dust and light dirt without leaving wet marks. High water supply is designed for severe contaminants on tile or porcelain.
| Type of coating | Recommended level | Frequency of napkin replacement | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate/Parket | Low (Low) | Every 2-3 cleanings | Minimum hydration to avoid bloating |
| Linoleum/PVC | Medium (Medium) | Every cleaning. | Well washed the footprints. |
| Tile/Paramogranit | Tall (High) | After every room. | It takes a lot of humidity to wipe off. |
| Carpets (removable tank) | No tank. | - | Wet cleaning of carpets is prohibited |
When the charge level is low, the robot can automatically reduce the water supply intensity or stop wet cleaning, going into dry cleaning mode.
Why does the robot leave puddles?
Wet cleaning system care and prevention
Regular maintenance of the water supply system will extend the life of your Xiaomi Robot Vacuum. After each wet cleaning, it is recommended to empty the remaining water from the tank. Do not leave the water in the tank for storage, even if it is a distillate. Stagnation of water leads to the formation of biofilm on the walls.
Do a deep cleaning of the tank every two weeks, wash it with warm water, you can add a little citric acid to remove possible plaque, pay special attention to the area around the pump and the exit hole, to clean the microholes in the sole, you can use a soft brush, included in the package.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to clean water holes with sharp objects, needles or wire.This can damage the calibration of the holes and disrupt the uniformity of the water supply, which will lead to damage to the floor covering.
The microfiber wipe itself also requires attention, it must be washed after each use, machine washing is allowed at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees, without the use of underwear conditioners, which reduce the absorbency of the fabric, and the wipe should be dried in a straightened form, away from the heating appliances.
Remember to wipe the sensor contacts on the tank and in the body of the robot with dry soft cloth. Oxidation of the contacts can cause the robot to stop recognizing the presence of a water tank and not start wet cleaning, even if the tank is full.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
One of the most common mistakes is to install the tank incorrectly, and if you hear the characteristic sound of the pump working, but the floor remains dry, check if the tank is fully inserted. Contact groups must be tightly in touch. Sometimes a lump of dust or hairs that is stuck in the tank compartment interferes.
Another common problem is the air in the system, and if you haven't had a wet cleaning for a long time, you can create an air bubble in the tubes, and to eliminate it, you can switch the water supply modes in the application several times, or gently shake the tank (closing the valve beforehand) so that the liquid fills all the channels.
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If the robot has started leaving wet stripes on the previously dry floor, try turning the napkin over with the other side or replacing it with a new one, and check if the water level in the settings is too high for your floor type.
Users often ignore error messages in the app. If you receive a "Water tank error" or "Please check water tank" notification, don't ignore it. This could mean that the water level sensor is contaminated or the pump is overloaded. Timely diagnosis will prevent more serious breakdowns.
If the robot starts to change direction randomly or "lose" during wet cleaning, check if the side sensors or collision sensors get wet. Water on the optical sensors distorts their readings. Wipe the sensors with a dry wipe.
Seasonal storage and conservation
If you plan to not use the wet cleaning function for a long time (for example, going on vacation or having carpets laid in the house for the winter), you need to properly conserve the system.
Then start dry cleaning without the tank, so that the moisture in the pump and tubes evaporates, and keep the tank open, without the lid, in a dry place, and this will prevent mold and musty smell, which is very difficult to remove from plastic.
⚠️ Warning: Do not store a robot vacuum cleaner with a filled tank in an unheated room at below-zero temperatures.Frozen water will expand and tear the thin walls of the tank or damage the pump, leading to expensive repairs.
Before the next wet cleaning season, it is recommended to carry out a preventive washing of the system with a weak solution of citric acid to remove possible deposits formed during the downtime, which will ensure the pump’s stable operation from the first start.
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Proper preservation of the wet cleaning system for the period of downtime guarantees the absence of unpleasant odors and breakage of the pump at the next start of the cleaning season.