Modern robot vacuum cleaners have long since ceased to be just toys for geeks and have become full-fledged assistants able to keep the house clean without human intervention. One of the most popular features is wet cleaning, which allows you not only to collect dust, but also to refresh the floor surface, removing light dirt. However, many owners of Xiaomi equipment face difficulties in the first setting of this mode, not understanding why the device simply carries a rag or ignores commands.
In this article, we will discuss the process of activating and adjusting wet cleaning in various models of robot vacuum cleaners, including the Roborock, Viomi and Mijia series. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, which applications to use for control and how to avoid typical errors that can lead to breakdown of electronics. It is critical to understand that not all models of Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners support the automatic water supply function, some only simulate floor washing.
Before you get to software settings, you need to make sure your device is physically ready for water, a basic step that can nullify your smart home effort, and we'll look at the differences between electronically controlled models and those that are fed by gravity, because the algorithms for them will be different.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
The first step is to look carefully at your device, and not every robot vacuum cleaner, even if it looks identical to the more expensive models, has a wet cleaning module, and you need to remove the main dust container and check if there is a special water tank module with a microfiber wipe mount, and if there is no such tank in the basic configuration, you may have to buy it separately, making sure it is compatible with your Xiaomi model.
Then check the technical condition of the tank itself, make sure that the rubber plugs tightly close the holes for the water pour, and the filter elements (if any in the tank design) are clean and not clogged with scale. Using tap water without prior filtration or boiling can lead to rapid formation of lime plaque, which over time will block the micro holes for the supply of fluid.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to pour any detergents, air conditioners for laundry or aggressive chemicals into the vacuum cleaner tank of a robot, this will lead to the formation of foam that can get into the pump engine and disable the electronics, and the warranty in this case will not work.
After visual inspection, the tank should be placed in the place of the main dry garbage container. Most Xiaomi models have special sensors that tell the robot that the wet cleaning module is installed. If the sensors do not work, the device can continue to operate in dry cleaning mode or emit an error.
☑️ Checking readiness for wet cleaning
An important aspect is the condition of the flooring. Wet cleaning is suitable for hard surfaces: laminate, tiles, linoleum, stone. If you have carpets with a high pile in your house, you need to make sure that the robot can get around them or that you have virtual walls set up. Trying to wet the tank on the carpet will cause it to get wet and possibly damage the pile.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Home application
To fully manage the robot’s functions, including running a wet cleaning, you will need the Mi Home mobile app (or Xiaomi Home), which is the interface through which the main communication between the user and the device takes place. Download the official app from Google Play or the App Store, avoiding third-party resources to eliminate the risk of downloading malware.
Once installed, you need to log in by creating a Xiaomi account or logging in through an existing one. When you add a new device, the app will automatically scan your Wi-Fi network. Make sure your smartphone is connected to the 2.4 GHz network, as most robot vacuum cleaners do not support the 5 GHz standard, which often causes connection errors.
Inside the app, find your robot card. The interface may vary depending on the region you choose to register your account. Devices designed for the Chinese market may need to change the region in the app settings to China, but this may limit the functionality of voice control via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
- 📱 Open the Mi Home app and click on it"+" add-on.
- 📡 Select a robot from the list of automatically found gadgets or find its model manually.
- 🔑 Enter the password from your Wi-Fi network and wait for pairing to complete.
- ⚙️ Go to the device settings and check for firmware updates.
Once you've successfully connected, you'll have new control buttons in the main menu, and this is where you can activate the water supply settings, and if you don't see these options, maybe your robot model doesn't support electronic water management, and you'll adjust it mechanically.
What if the robot can’t see the app?
Starting the wet cleaning mode through the interface
The wet cleaning interface in the Mi Home app is designed as intuitively as possible, but it has its own nuances. Once you have installed the water tank and attached a napkin, click on the robot icon in the main menu. On the control screen, you will see a "Clean Mode" button or a separate "Wet Cleaning" switch.
Depending on the model, you can have several levels of water intensity available, usually three: low, medium and high, low for daily cleanliness and tiles, medium for laminate and linoleum, and high recommended only in the kitchen or bathroom with severe contamination.
| Water supply level | Expenditure (ml/min) | Recommended coverage | Tank time. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Low) | ~10-15 ml | Tiles, stones | 120 minutes. |
| Medium (Medium) | ~15-20 ml | Laminate, parquet | About 90 minutes. |
| Tall (High) | ~20-25 ml | Kitchen, entrance group. | About 60 minutes. |
To start the process, press the Start or Clean button. The robot will start moving according to the algorithm defined in the settings (for example, "Perimeter" or "Z-traction trajectory"). In wet cleaning mode, the device usually does not turn on the turbobrush to avoid scattering wet dirt, but only uses a side brush and a suction hole.
As you work, you can actually follow the cleaning map, and if the robot is stuck or the tank is running out of water, you'll get a notification on your smartphone screen, and you'll also see the approximate area that the robot has been able to process, which helps you plan your maintenance schedule.
Configure the map and virtual restrictions
One of the key features for quality wet cleaning is mapping. Xiaomi robots are able to build accurate maps on which to install virtual walls and no-go zones, which is critical to protecting carpets and electronics from moisture.
To set the limits, wait for the robot to build a full map of the apartment during dry cleaning. Then go to the map editing mode in the app. Select the Virtual Wall or the No-Go tool and draw a rectangle around carpets, sills or low-end furniture.
⚠️ Warning: Virtual walls only work if the robot has an up-to-date map of the room, and if you manually move the robot to another room without a map, it can ignore the restrictions that were previously set.
Some advanced models, such as the Roborock S7 or Xiaomi Vacuum Mop 2 Pro, have the function of automatically lifting the mop when you detect a carpet.If your model does not have this feature, setting up virtual walls becomes the only way to protect textile coatings from getting wet.
You can also set up the order of the room cleaning in the map settings, which is useful if you want the robot to wash the floor in the kitchen first, where contamination is most likely while the water in the tank is still cold and clean, and you can change the sequence of rooms by simply dragging it in the list.
Technical nuances and system maintenance
Regular maintenance of the wet cleaning system will prolong the life of your device. After each use, it is recommended to empty the remaining water from the tank to prevent the reproduction of bacteria and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
Every two to three weeks, do a preventive cleaning of the tank itself, wash it with warm water, paying attention to the corners where mucus may accumulate. If you notice that the water has stopped evenly soaking the napkin, check the filters in the tank lid - they may have clogged with mineral deposits.
- 💧 Use only distilled or filtered water to prevent scale.
- 🧼 Wash the rag from microfiber at a temperature not higher than 40 degrees without air conditioning.
- 🔋 Keep a robot with an empty water tank to avoid contact corrosion.
- 🧹 Clean the wipe pollution sensors regularly if they are designed.
The average lifespan of a microfiber wipe is 3-6 months with regular use. When the pile wears off and the fabric becomes smooth to the touch, the cleaning efficiency decreases, and the cloth should be replaced with a new one. The original accessories provide better fit and proper moisture supply.
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To remove persistent contaminants in the kitchen, you can pre-treat the floor with a steam generator or manually old spots, since the robot vacuum cleaner is designed to maintain cleanliness, not for general cleaning.
Solutions to problems in operation
In the process, users may encounter a number of common problems, such as a robot reporting that there is no water tank when it is installed, in which case you can try to wipe the contacts on the body and on the tank with dry cloth, sometimes oxidation or dust prevents the correct reading of status.
Another common problem is uneven wetting of the wipe, often involving too hard water or long-standing filter replacement, try soaking a new wipe in water before installing it to better absorb moisture, and check if the supply valve is closed.
If the robot leaves too much water or is driving dry, check the intensity settings in the app. Also make sure the robot is not in Quiet Cleanup mode, which sometimes limits the pump's functionality to reduce noise.
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Most of the problems with wet cleaning are solved by replacing the water with distilled and regular cleaning of the tank filters.