Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential: How to do wet cleaning properly

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential

Mi Home

nuances of wet cleaning

Owners often ask themselves: can you use regular water instead of a special liquid? How to avoid leaks of a tank? Why does a robot not wash the floor in some rooms? We have compiled expert recommendations based on tests and user feedback, as well as official instructions from Xiaomi.

If your Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential leaves dirty traces or does not moisten the cloth at all, the problem is not with the device itself, but with the wrong settings. Next, you will learn how to adjust the water intensity, choose a detergent and avoid common breakdowns.

1.What comes in the wet cleaning kit

Before the first launch, check if all accessories are in place. As standard, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential for wet cleaning is provided:

• 💧 Water container with a volume of 200 ml (with a lid and silicone gasket)
• 🧻 Microfiber cloth with Velcro (1 pcs. in the basic configuration)
• 🔧 Fastening for rags (plastic platform with latches)
• 📄 Instructions with coating compatibility warnings

Separately sold spare rags (ZNMS01JM article) and detergent from Xiaomi (VACMOP01).Using non-original accessories can lead to leakage of the tank or damage to flooring - especially if the rag is too thick or does not absorb water well.

Note that in some batches of robots, the rag mount is already installed on the bottom panel, if it is not, you will have to screw it yourself (screws come with the kit), and also check if there is a filter-grid at the bottom of the water tank, which prevents debris from entering the pump.

2. Preparing the robot for the first wet cleaning

Before you pour water, follow a few mandatory steps:

Install a rag mount on the bottom panel of the robot

Attach a microfiber cloth (it should lie flat, without folds)

Wash the water container with warm water (without detergents!)

Check the silicone gasket of the tank for damage

Make sure the robot has the latest version of the firmware installed.-->

Pay special attention to the rag. It should be:

• ✅ Clean (wash manually without air conditioning before first use)
• ✅ Properly fixed (the edge should not stick out of the platform)
• ✅ Dry (if the cloth is wet before cleaning, the robot will not be able to control the water supply)

If you use a detergent, dilute it according to the instructions. For Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential, only a special liquid marked "robot vacuum cleaner" is suitable. Conventional floor washing products can cause foaming that will clog the pump.

⚠️ Warning: Never pour hot water or liquids with abrasive particles (such as soda) into the tank, which will break the water supply valve and cancel the warranty.

3. Set up wet cleaning in the Mi Home app

You can manage cleaning modes through the official Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS). Once you connect the robot to Wi-Fi, follow the following steps:

1. Open the app and select your Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential.
2. Go to the Cleaning section → Cleaning settings.
3. Activate the option of wet cleaning (the slider should turn blue).
4. Select the intensity of the water supply: 🌊 Low - for laminate and parquet 💧 Medium - for tile and linoleum 🚿 High – for highly contaminated surfaces (use carefully!)

The latest firmware has a moisturized zone cleaning option, which allows you to map a room where you only need wet cleaning (such as in the kitchen) and where you only need dry cleaning (carpets).

1. Press the map. → Edit.
2. Select the zone and select the washing only mode.
3. Save the changes.

Water containers require no less careful care:

1. After each use, drain the remaining water and rinse the tank.
2. Once a month, clean the water supply hole with a toothpick or compressed air.
3. If you smell, pour vinegar solution (1:1 with water) into the tank for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse.

For disinfection, you can use special pills for robot vacuum cleaners (for example, Xiaomi VACMOP02), which kill bacteria and prevent mold formation.

💡

Regular cleaning of the tank and replacing the cloth every 3 months will increase the life of the robot by 30-40% and improve the quality of cleaning.

7.Alternative ways to improve wet cleaning

If you don’t like the standard settings, try these advanced techniques:

• 🔄 Double cleaning: First, run the robot in Only vacuum mode, then just wash, which is especially effective in the kitchen, where there are many crumbs.
• 📍 Zone cleaning with increased humidification: in the Mi Home application you can select highly contaminated areas (for example, near the garbage can) and set the maximum water supply for them.
• ⏱️ Night cleaning: if you run the robot at night, when the floors are not used, the water will have time to dry before the morning, and there will be less divorces.

For owners who want more automation, a smart schedule is fine:

1. In the app, go to the Schedule → Add the task.
2. Choose the days and times (for example, 10:00 a.m. daily).
3. Specify the dry mode + wet cleaning.
4. Save the settings.

If you have a large apartment (more than 100 m2), break the cleaning into two cycles:

1. First run: Room 1 + corridor (dry + wet cleaning).
2. Second run: Room 2 + kitchen (wet cleaning only).

This will allow the robot not to overload and better wash the floors.

8.Comparison with other Xiaomi models

How does Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential cope with wet cleaning compared to other Xiaomi robots? The table below shows the key differences:

Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential is the best choice for small apartments (up to 80 m2). If you want a more powerful model with automatic vacuuming and self-cleaning of the rag, look at the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Ultra. However, its price is 4 times higher, and for most tasks, the basic model is enough.

The main advantage of Essential is simplicity and reliability, there are no unnecessary features that break down (like the cameras in the Pro versions), but there are fewer options for fine-tuning.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wet cleaning