Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners have long been indispensable cleaning tools, but not all users know how to make the most of their capabilities. One of the most useful features is spot cleaning, which allows you to clean a specific area of the floor without starting a full-fledged general cleaning, which saves time, battery power and eliminates the need to move furniture or remove small items from the floor.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate spot cleaning on different models of Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners (including Mi Robot Vacuum, Viomi, Dreame, etc.), what launch methods exist, and how to avoid typical errors. You will learn how to use this feature through the mobile application, voice commands and physical buttons on the device body, and we will also consider the nuances of cleaning zone settings and restrictions that are important to consider.
What is a cleaning service and why is it needed
Spot cleaning is a robot vacuum cleaner mode in which it cleans a specific area of the floor, not the entire room. Usually the cleaning area is limited to a radius of 1-3 meters from the selected point, but some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) allow you to specify rectangular areas or even draw a outline on a map in the application.
The main advantages of this regime are:
- ⏱️ Time savings – don’t wait for the robot to pass through all rooms if the contamination is local (e.g., crumbled cereals or pet hair).
- 🔋 Retaining charge – the battery is spent only on cleaning the desired area, which is especially important for models with a small battery capacity.
- 🧹 Accuracy – the robot concentrates on the contaminated area, passing it several times for better results.
- 🚫 Minimum training – no need to remove small items from the floor outside the cleaning area.
Cleaning is indispensable in everyday situations:
- 🐶 After feeding the pet (scattered food near the bowl).
- 👶 If the child spilled juice or scattered toys in a restricted area.
- 👟 To collect dust and dirt at the front door after the street.
- 🍪 After baking, when flour or sugar crumbled in the kitchen.
Ways to enable spot cleaning on Xiaomi robots
Depending on the robot model and the firmware, you can activate the spot cleaning in a number of ways, and let's look at each one in detail.
1. via the Mi Home / Xiaomi Home mobile app
The most versatile and convenient way is to use the official application. The instructions are suitable for most models, including the Mi Robot Vacuum, Viomi. V2/V3, Dreame D9 others.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home for new devices) and select your robot vacuum cleaner from the list of connected devices.
- On the device’s home screen, look for the Clean or Clean button (usually in the center or bottom of the screen).
- Slip on it and in the menu that appears, select Spot Cleaning (or Spot Cleaning in English).
- If you have a map of the room that you have saved, the app will tell you to select a dot on it, and if you don't have a map, the robot will start cleaning around its current location.
- Confirm the launch by pressing Start or Start.
Make sure the robot is connected to Wi-Fi|Check the battery charge (minimum 20%)|Remove large items from the floor in the cleaning area|Close the doors if you clean the room-->
On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) you can specify a rectangular cleaning zone:
- Open the room map in the application.
- Press and hold your finger on the screen to mark the first corner of the zone.
- Drag your finger to stretch the rectangle to the right size.
- Select Point Cleanup from the menu and confirm the start.
Important: If the robot doesn’t start cleaning after the command, check if it’s standing on a high-pile carpet – some models block the start on such surfaces.
2. Using voice commands (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri)
If your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner supports voice control, spot cleaning can be started using smart speakers or a smartphone, and the device must be connected to the Mi Home ecosystem and synchronized with the voice assistant.
Examples of voice commands:
- For Alice (Yandex): Alice, start the spot cleaning on [robot name].
- For Google Assistant: Okay, Google, start cleaning up on Xiaomi.
- For Siri (via HomeKit, if supported): Hey Siri, turn on spot cleaning.
If the voice command does not work:
- 🔄 Reconnect the robot to your Mi Home account.
- 📱 Update the firmware of the device and applications.
- 🎤 Check if voice control is enabled in the robot settings (Settings) → Voice assistant).
💡
If the robot doesn't respond to voice commands, try rephrasing the request, for example, instead of "point cleaning" say "cleaning on site" or "spot cleaning."
3. Through physical buttons on the body
Some Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum) 1S viomi V2) They have a Spot button or a Zone on the top panel, and it's usually indicated by a dot or a spiral.
How to start:
- Make sure the robot is on a flat surface and not blocked by obstacles.
- Press and hold the Spot button for 2-3 seconds until you hear the beep.
- The robot will begin to spiral away from its current location.
Limitations of this method:
- ❌ You can’t pick a zone on a map – cleaning always starts around the robot.
- ❌ No way to adjust the intensity or number of passes.
- ✅ Suitable for emergency cases when there is no access to the application.
Spot cleaning settings: what can be changed
Depending on the robot model, you can customize the spot cleaning for specific tasks, and let's look at the basic parameters that are available in the Mi Home app.
1.Size of the cleaning area
By default, the robot cleans a circle with a diameter of 1-1.5 meters, but in some models (for example, Dreame). D10 Plus, you can ask:
- 🔄 Small radius (0.5-1 m) - for small contaminants.
- 🔄 Average radius (1.5-2 m) - standard mode.
- 🔄 Large radius (2.5-3 m) – for large areas.
2. Cleaning intensity
In advanced models (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Ultra) you can choose:
- 🌬️ Quiet mode - minimum suction power, suitable for light dust.
- 🌀 Standard mode – balance between power and noise.
- 💨 Turbo mode - maximum absorption for persistent pollution.
- 💧 Wet wipe – if the model supports wet cleaning.
Number of passages
Some robots allow you to ask how many times a device should pass through the same zone:
- 🔢 1 Passage - for light pollution.
- 🔢 2 passes - standard option.
- 🔢 3 passages - for severe contamination (for example, after repairs).
How to change the settings of spot cleaning in Mi Home
4. Additional options
| Option. | Description | Supported models |
|---|---|---|
| Timer autostop | The robot stops cleaning after a predetermined time (e.g., 5 or 10 minutes). | Viomi V3, Dreame D9 Pro |
| Cleaning back to base | After completion, the robot automatically goes to the docking station. | Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 and newer |
| Ignoring carpets | The robot will not be able to drive on carpets in the cleaning area. | Dreame D10 Plus, Viomi SE |
| Notification at completion | The app sends a push notification when the cleaning is finished. | All models with Mi Home support |
Typical problems and their solutions
Even if you set it up properly, spot cleaning can work incorrectly, and let's look at some of the most common problems and how to fix them.
1.The robot doesn't start spot cleaning
Possible causes and solutions:
- 🔋 Low battery power – charge the robot to 20% or higher.
- 📶 No Wi-Fi connection – check the network connection in the app.
- 🗺️ No saved room map – run a full cleaning to create a map.
- 🚫 Lock sensors – make sure there are no obstacles in front of the robot.
2.The robot is clearing the wrong zone
- 📍 If you have selected a point on the map, but the robot is going to another place – reboot the map in the settings (Settings) → Map. → Reset the card).
- 🧭 If the robot is “lost” – update the firmware through Settings → Update of the PO.
3.Pinpoint cleaning interrupted
- 🔌 Weak Wi-Fi signal – Move your router closer or use a repeater.
- 🛑 External obstacles – remove wires, toys or other items from the floor.
- 🔋 Battery discharge – reduce the cleaning area or charge the robot before starting.
💡
If the robot is constantly "lost" from the route during spot cleaning, try to start it in "Quiet" mode - this will reduce the suction power and reduce the load on the engines, which sometimes helps to stabilize the work.
⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner does not return to base after spot cleaning, check if it is on a glossy surface (for example, tile), some models do not recognize such coatings well and can get stuck. The solution is to manually move the robot closer to the docking station or put the mat on the floor.
Comparison of spot cleaning on popular Xiaomi models
Not all Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners are equally good at spot cleaning, and the chart below compares key features for popular models.
| Model | Max. radius of the zone. | Intensity setting | Wet cleaning in spot mode | Voice control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum 1S | 1.5 m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (Alice, Google) |
| Viomi V3 | 2.5 m m m m | ✅ Yes, 3 levels) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (all assistants) |
| Dreame D9 Pro | 3m | ✅ Yes, 4 levels) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro | Rectangular area | ✅ Yes (turbo mode) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| DreameBot D10 Plus | 3 m (tuning) | ✅ Yes (auto-regulation) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
If you are only planning to buy a robot vacuum cleaner and spot cleaning is critical for you, pay attention to models with:
- 📏 Adjustable radius of the zone (e.g. Dreame) D10 Plus).
- 💦 Support for wet cleaning in point mode.
- 🗣️ Advanced voice control.
How to improve the results of spot cleaning
To ensure that the cleaning is as effective as possible, follow these tips:
1. Prepare the cleaning area
- 🧹 Remove large debris (paper, plastic) – it can clog brushes.
- 🧶 Lift wires and cords from the floor so the robot doesn't get confused.
- 🪑 Move chairs or stools if they interfere with the passage.
2. Optimize settings
- 🔄 For large garbage (crumbs, sand) choose turbo mode.
- 🌀 For dust and wool, a standard mode is sufficient.
- 💧 If you need a wet cleaning, check the water level in the tank.
3.Use additional accessories
- 🧲 Magnetic tapes – limit the cleaning area if the robot “goes out.
- 🔋 External battery – if spot cleaning is frequently interrupted due to discharge.
- 🧴 Special wipes for wet cleaning (for models with moping function).
💡
If the robot is constantly "stuck" in the same place during spot cleaning, mark this area as "forbidden" on the map in the application. → The forbidden zone and circle the problem area.
Frequently asked questions
Can you start a spot cleaning if the robot is not on the base?
Why does a robot clean a zone in a spiral rather than a rectangle?
How long does the cleaning last?
Can you program a spot cleaning according to a schedule?
Why is there garbage after cleaning?
⚠️ Attention: if you use spot cleaning on long-pile carpets, check if your model supports such coatings. V2) automatically increase the suction power on the carpets, but this can lead to overheating of the engine during prolonged operation.