Smart tech owners often face situations where a once-silent assistant makes strange noises or does less than a cleaning job. It's a sure sign that it's time to do maintenance. Regular cleaning isn't just a matter of aesthetics, it's a necessity to keep the engine and navigation functional. Ignoring simple maintenance rules can cause the battery to overheat or cause expensive components to fail.
In this article, we will discuss how to properly clean Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner so that it will last you for many years. You will learn what tools you will need, how to safely remove garbage from hard-to-reach places and why you can not wet certain parts. The Roborock series, Mi Robot Vacuum and Vacuum-Mop have similar designs, so this guide will be useful to most users of the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Before you start to act, you need to prepare the workplace. You need a flat surface with good lighting so you don't lose small screws or parts. You also need to prepare the necessary tools in advance: a cross screwdriver, scissors, a soft brush and possibly compressed air. Never use water to wash electronic boards or engine compartment, as this is guaranteed to short circuit.
Preparation for maintenance and necessary tools
The beginning of any technical procedure requires proper preparation. Errors at this stage can cost you time or even the integrity of the device body. The first thing the robot vacuum cleaner should be completely turned off. To do this, hold the power button or use a combination of buttons if the model does not have a physical on button on the case.
It's important to make sure that the device is not on charge. Disconnect the dock from the mains to eliminate the risk of electric shock or accidental start of the engine during disassembly. If there is debris in the dust container, it's better not to pour it out yet, this will help assess the degree of contamination of the filter system as a whole.
- 🧰 Toolkit: Cross screwdriver (usually) PH1 or PH2), scissors with thin blades, tweezers, soft brush for drawing or makeup.
- 🧹 Consumables: microfibre, compressed air (balloon), isopropyl alcohol (for degreasing contacts, optionally).
- 📱 Software Preparation: Check the Mi Home app for bugs to understand which nodes may require attention (e.g., a maze sensor error).
Prepare the garbage collection container immediately after the main dust collector is removed. Fine dust can spread around the room, so it is better to do the procedure in a place where it is easy to do wet cleaning, for example, on the balcony or in the bathroom. Remember the good lighting: in the shade it is easy to miss a pile stuck in bearings.
☑️ Preparation for cleaning
Cleaning the main dust container
The dust container is the first line of defense that takes the full blow. In Xiaomi models, it's usually located at the top of the case and is fixed by latches. Carefully press the lock and remove the module. Don't put too much effort into it: if the container isn't taken out, check if it's blocked by debris.
Inside you'll see. HEPA-The filter and the mesh filter must be removed before the plastic tank is washed, the plastic can be washed with warm water with a soft detergent, but it is strictly forbidden to use hot water, which can deform the geometry of the container. After washing, the container must dry for at least 24 hours.
⚠️ Attention: Never wash HEPA-The filter is water, unless the instructions for your particular model indicate otherwise. Most of Xiaomi’s paper and composite filters lose their properties and stop trapping fine dust after getting wet.
Pay special attention to the inlet in the container, where a dense layer of dust often accumulates. Use a dry brush to sweep out the contamination. If the debris has compressed, carefully use tweezers. It is important not to damage the plastic partitions that create an air vortex to separate the dust.
Maintenance of the main brush and side brooms
The main brush (turbobrush) is the heart of the cleaning system. It knocks dust out of the carpets and sends it to the dust collector. Over time, its axes are wound with hair, animal hair and thread. This puts additional stress on the engine, which can cause it to burn out. To access the brush, turn the robot vacuum cleaner upside down.
Remove the protective cover by snapping the locks. Remove the brush shaft. Xiaomi models often use a system that makes it easy to remove the end caps to clean the axle. Use scissors to gently cut the wound hair along the groove, if it is designed, or simply pull the crooks out with tweezers.
Bearing check:
Hair removal:
Washing:
Side broomsticks also require attention. They're usually attached to three screws or latches. Remove them and remove the dust that has wound. If the bristles have worn off or deformed, the broomsticker is better replaced because it stops effectively driving debris under the robot. The original Xiaomi broomsticks have a specific bristling angle that is important to keep.
How often do you change your brushes?
Caring for wheels and navigation sensors
Wheels are the element that is most often ignored, and it's the dirt on the wheels that causes the robot to "stupidate," to get stuck on the doorsteps, or to make the wrong map of the room. Pick up the robot and check the free running of the wheels. They have to spring and rotate easily.
Use a wet (but not wet!) napkin or toothbrush soaked in water to clean the tread of the wheels. A dense lump of dust often accumulates deep in the wheel niche. It can be removed with tweezers or a wooden toothpick to avoid scratching the plastic. Pay special attention to the contact charging wheel (if your model has one), as oxidation of the contacts will lead to charging problems.
Navigation sensors and bumpers require a delicate approach. Wipe them with a dry microfiber. Fall sensors (located on the perimeter below) and laser rangefinder sensor (LDS, "turret" on the top) should not cause severance. Dust on the sensors causes map errors when the robot "sees" obstacles or loses orientation.
| Element | Frequency of cleaning | Cleaning method | Risks of ignoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| The main brush | Every 1-2 weeks | Mechanical (scissors, tweezers) | Brush engine combustion |
| Fall sensors | Once a month | Dry microfiber | Fall from height, loss of map |
| Wheels. | Every 2-3 cleanings | Wet wipe, brush. | Stuck, poor maneuvering |
| Contact terminals | Once in 3 months | Dry fabric, eraser | Lack of charging |
Filters: wash or change?
The issue of filters is one of the most controversial among Xiaomi owners. HEPA-Fine cleaning filter and filter, manufacturers recommend changing them every time. 2-4 month, but in practice, the period depends on the dustiness of the apartment. HEPA-Filters should not be washed with water unless they are marked with a special label".
If the filter is just dusty, it can be gently knocked over the trash can, and a light tapping will help remove the surface dust, but if the filter changes color to dark gray or black, its pores become clogged with microscopic dust, and it stops letting air through at the desired speed, which reduces the force of suction.
Many users try to wash paper filters, dry them and use them again.
⚠️ Attention: Washing the usual HEPA-The filter destroys its microstructure, and once it's dry, it turns into a sieve, and it passes fine dust directly into the engine, killing the device in a matter of months.
Xiaomi
There are washable sponge pre-cleaning filters, which need to be flushed regularly under the tap to clear water and thoroughly dried. HEPA-A filter against large dust and wool, greatly extending its life.
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Buy filters with sets of 3-4 pieces. This is more affordable and ensures that you always have a supply of clean consumables when it comes time to replace.
Assembly and performance check
Once all the components are cleaned and, most importantly, completely dry, you can start the assembly. Act in the opposite order: install the side brushes, insert the main turbobrush (observing the direction indicated by the arrows), close the lid. Install the dust container, making sure that it is up before clicking.
Turn on the robot vacuum cleaner. It can do self-diagnosis for the first few seconds. Run a short cleaning in Spot or Local to make sure there's no extraneous noise. If the robot is buzzing louder than usual, check if the brush cover is properly installed and if there's no vibration in the body.
Check your Wi-Fi connection and app performance, and if you've cleaned the sensors, you've built a map faster and more accurately, and it's been a success, and regular maintenance keeps the suction performance at the level of the new device, even after years of use.
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Proper and timely cleaning of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi increases its service life by 2-3 times and retains the engine warranty.