Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner: How to Turn on Wet Cleaning Right

Automating house cleaning has long ceased to be a fantasy, and Xiaomi devices are leading the market for smart appliances. However, many owners still use their gadgets only half of their capabilities, limiting themselves to dry dust collection. Proper activation of the function of floor cleaning allows you to maintain perfect cleanliness without unnecessary effort on your part. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up wet cleaning to avoid typical errors and extend the life of the device.

Before you start operating, it is important to understand that not all models of robot vacuum cleaners have a function of floor washing, even if they are produced by the Xiaomi ecosystem. Basic versions often lack a water supply module and a special tank. Make sure that your device supports Mopping or Wet Cleaning mode before you start setting up. If technical ability is present, then the next step is to properly physically prepare the unit for operation.

The process of starting the humidification system requires care, because getting water into electronic components can cause the device to fail. We will look at the algorithm of actions for the popular models of the Roborock and Mijia series. Following the instructions will help you avoid engine locking and improper consumption of detergent.

Compatibility check and equipment preparation

The first step is to visualize your device, and you need to make sure that you have a combined container or a separate water tank in the package, and unlike dry dust collectors, the liquid tanks have a special membrane that regulates the flow of moisture to the cloth. If you try to pour water into a regular dust container, it will lead to spoilage. HEPA-filter and engine.

Note the bottom of the robot. Wet cleaning requires a special platform to which a microfiber wipe is attached. In some advanced models, such as the Xiaomi Vacuum Mop 2 Pro, the platform rises automatically when you enter the carpet, but in basic versions this process requires monitoring. Also check the condition of the fabric itself: it must be clean and evenly distributed in the attachment.

• 🧼 Make sure to use only distilled or filtered water to avoid scaling in the pump.
• 🔋 Charge the device to at least 80% before starting the combined cleaning as the washing mode consumes more energy.
• 🚫 Remove wires, socks and other small items that can get wet and confuse the wheels from the floor.
• 🧹 Remove the main brush if the instruction to your model requires it to install the water tank.

It's important to distinguish between tank types. There are mechanical tanks that are flowing in and electronic tanks that are controlled. For models with an electronic tank, it's critical to install it in the case before the power is turned on so that the system can diagnose the pump, and ignoring this rule can lead to an application error.

⚠️ Warning: Never add conventional liquid detergents, foaming compounds or chlorine to the tank.This destroys rubber seals and clogs the microchannels of the feed system, which is not a warranty case.

⚠️ Note: If the robot is equipped with only a dry container, it is strictly forbidden to modify it to supply water. Attempting to attach a wet cloth directly to the body without a special tank will lead to leakage of liquid inside the housing.

⚠️ Warning: Before installing the tank, be sure to remove the dry dust collector. Simultaneous operation of two modes in the same cycle on models without automatic change of containers is impossible and can damage the mechanism.

Installation of a water tank and platform

Physically installing the wet cleaning module is a key point that many beginners miss. The process begins with removing the main dust collection container. To do this, press the lock button on the top cover of the robot and pull the block up. The vacant compartment is gently inserted into the tank filled with water. You should hear a characteristic click confirming that the contacts have joined correctly.

Then you need to attach the napkin platform to the bottom of the device. Depending on the Xiaomi model, the attachment can be done on Velcros or latches. Make sure the fabric fits tightly to the floor throughout the area. If the platform is dangling or skewed, the robot will move unevenly, and the quality of the washing will decrease dramatically. Some users prefer to slightly moisturize the napkin before installation to avoid dry stripes at the beginning of the cycle.

After all the components are installed, turn on the device. The robot will give a welcome beep, and the voice module (if any) will report readiness for operation. At this point, the initial calibration of the water level sensors takes place, and if the system detects a pump malfunction or a tank is missing, you will hear a series of warning signals.

Setting up parameters in the Mi Home app

The main control of the robot functions is through the Mi Home or Roborock application. Once you connect the device to Wi-Fi and add it to the list of devices, you need to go to the control interface. This is where the fine-tuning of the water intensity occurs. By default, the system can operate in an economy mode that does not always cope with the old pollution in the kitchen.

In the cleaning settings menu, find the water settings item, usually indicated by a drop icon or Water Flow. Here you are asked to choose between low, medium, high or automatic levels. The choice depends on the type of flooring. Laminate flooring and parquet are better served at the minimum to avoid swelling of the seams, and for porcelain porcelain you can set the maximum intensity.

You can also set up no-go zones in the app, and you can map areas where the robot should not go, and this is critical to protect long-pile carpets that might get wet, or places where there are water bowls for animals, and you can draw a rectangle or a line right on the map in the app, and the robot will ignore that area as it builds a route.

Don't forget to update your device's firmware. Manufacturers often release patches that improve carpet recognition algorithms and optimize pumps. Go to the device settings (three dots in the corner), select General Settings and check the software version. If an update is available, run it while the robot is at the charging station.

Starting the process and choosing the mode of operation

There are several ways to start the cleaning process. The easiest way is to press a button on the device body. However, for full control, use the application. In the main menu, select Mop or Sweep & Mop. The first option is for washing only (if the design provides separate navigation), the second one combines dust absorption and floor wiping.

For complex contaminants, you can use a Y-trend mode, and unlike standard wall-driving, the robot crosses the path twice, crosses the path at an angle, and this allows better stain cleaning, and you can activate this function in advanced cleaning settings, by selecting Water Mop Path or similar, and the cleaning time in this mode increases by about 1.5 times.

If you want to clean a particular room, use the zoning function. On a map of the room, select the square you want and select "Clean the Zone" command. The robot will arrive at the specified point and perform the washing cycle only there. This is convenient for the kitchen or hallway, where contamination occurs most often.

While working, the robot can return to the base to recharge if the battery drops below 20%. Xiaomi smart models keep the cleaning map and after charging continue to work from the same place where they left off, which allows you to clean up large areas even taking into account the time to charge.

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Use voice commands via Yandex.Alice or Google Assistant, adding the Mi Home skill. The phrase "Alice, turn on the wet cleaning in the kitchen" will start the robot, even if you are not at home.

Maintenance of the system after cleaning

The first thing you do is take out the water tank, if you have any fluid left in it, you have to drain it, you can't leave the water in the tank for a few days, it's going to stagnate, it's going to smell bad, and you can get bacteria inside, and then it's going to spray on the floor.

Remove the microfiber platform. The fabric must be washed after each wet regime. In the process of washing, the robot collects fine dust, which turns into abrasive gruel. If you don't wash the cloth, the next cleaning you'll just smear the dirt on the floor, scratching the coating. Dry the napkin in a straightened form, away from direct sunlight.

Wipe the sensors on the body and bumper with a soft dry cloth. Moisture and splashes can leave traces on optical sensors, which will lead to navigational failures. The robot can begin to "lose" in space or encounter obstacles if the lenses are contaminated. Also check the wheels for wound hair, although this is less common in washing mode.

Once a month, it is recommended to carry out a preventive cleaning of the tank itself. Wash it with warm water without using aggressive chemicals. Check the rubber valves at the water outlet - they should not be scaled or sand. To remove possible deposits, you can use a weak solution of citric acid, but after that the tank should be rinsed very carefully.

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Timely drying of all elements of the wet cleaning system prevents the appearance of mold and unpleasant smell in the house.

Typical problems and ways to solve them

Despite the reliability of Xiaomi's equipment, users may face a number of typical problems. Often, a robot reports a water tank error. If the app says "Water tank not installed" even though it's physically standing, try removing it and inserting it again. It may have oxidized contacts. Wipe them with a dry cotton swab.

Another common problem is uneven moisture, and if you notice dry stripes in the middle or puddles, check the water supply level in the app, and the problem may be the napkin itself: if it's too old and the pile is clogged, the water stops passing through the tissue, and replacing the microfiber with a new one usually solves the problem.

If the robot has started to leave wet marks on the carpets, even though you have set up the forbidden areas, check the relevance of the map. Sometimes after rearranging the furniture, the navigation gets confused. Try to clean the map in the settings and build it again, removing all the carpets beforehand. Also make sure that the carpet detection sensor (if any) is not taped with tape or dirt.

• 🔇 Robot does not make sounds: check if the mode is not "Do not disturb" (DND) schedule-wise.
• 💧 The tank quickly empty: perhaps the maximum water supply regime is set or the napkin fits poorly.
• 🔄 Robot spins in place: check if the side pile of the brush or rags is stuck in the mechanisms.
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection goes missing: make sure the network is running at 2.4GHz, as 5GHz is often not supported.

If you see an error code on an indicator or in an application, don't panic. Most codes (e.g. Error 12, Error 14) are decrypted in the application help. Most often this indicates you need to clean the drop sensor or check if the wheel is stuck. If simple reboot and cleaning methods do not help, you should contact an authorized service center.