Owners of popular Xiaomi humidifiers and sub-brands such as Smartmi or Deerma often face the issue of cartridge maintenance. In technical documentation and colloquial speech, users often call the filler for filter cassettes, which is called “flakes”, a name that has stuck because of the visual similarity of granular material with oatmeal or breakfast cereal. The right choice of consumable material directly affects the efficiency of water purification and the life of the device itself.
Many users mistakenly believe that any absorbent found in a hardware store can be put inside the filter. However, the chemical composition and fraction of the granules are critical to the operation of the capillary water lift system. Using an inappropriate filler can lead to rapid failure of the ultrasonic membrane or the formation of white plaque on furniture. In this article, we will discuss in detail what materials are used in the original cartridges and how they can be replaced without loss of quality.
It's worth noting that flakes are a very popular term, and in the technical nomenclature of climate technology manufacturers, this material is called ion-exchange resin or zeolite in granules. It's this material that is responsible for softening hard water, preventing the calcium and magnesium salts from becoming scaled. Understanding the physical nature of the filler will help you avoid mistakes when buying analogues and properly service your Mijia or Deerma device.
⚠️ Warning: Never use food, cotton wool, syntepon or ordinary activated charcoal from aquarium filters as a substitute for the original granules, this will lead to irreversible clogging of the porous structure of the wick and breakage of the humidity sensors.
What is “flakes” in the context of Xiaomi moisturizers
Under the flakes in Xiaomi's humidifier cartridge filters, a special composite material is hidden. The basis is most often a mixture of ion-exchange resins and zeolites, sometimes with the addition of silver threads or ions for antibacterial treatment. The granules are specific in shape and size, which ensures the optimal speed of water passage and maximum contact area for a chemical mitigation reaction. Conventional food flakes naturally soak in water in minutes, turning into porridge, which will instantly disable the device.
The main purpose of this filler is to soften water. Hard water contains a large amount of salts. In ultrasonic spraying (which is used in most models of the brand), these salts do not disappear, but settle as white dust on surfaces or precipitate on heating elements and membranes. Ion exchange resin replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or hydrogen ions, making the water “soft.” That is why it is important to use a material with the appropriate properties.
In original cartridges like SCG40 or DEMG1, the pellets are tightly packed into a mesh bag inside the plastic case. The density of the packaging and the size of the mesh cells are designed by engineers to soak the material evenly in water. If you decide to replace the filler yourself, you'll need to find a material of a similar fraction. Too small particles will be washed out or create excessive resistance, and too large ones will not have time to conduct a softening reaction.
Can I wash used cereal?
Types of fillers and their compatibility
There are several types of fillers that could potentially be suitable for replacement in the consumable market, but not all of them are equally effective and safe for Smartmi electronics. It is important to distinguish materials by their chemical composition and purpose. Below are the main types that are commercially available and can be considered as an alternative.
The first and most correct option is cationite (kation exchange resin) in the sodium form. It is the one most commonly used in original cartridges. It effectively removes rigidity. The second option is natural or synthetic zeolite. It has excellent sorption properties, but its water softening ability may be lower than that of specialized resins. The third option is mixed fillers, which may contain flavoring or disinfection additives, but their use in ultrasonic humidentifiers is not recommended without manufacturer certification, since chemical additives can be sprayed in the air.
- 💧 Ion exchange resin: the best choice for water softening, fully compatible with Xiaomi filtration system.
- 🪨 Zeolite: a good natural sorbent, suitable for cleaning from impurities, but worse copes with scale.
- 🌫️ Ceramic balls: often used in filter jugs, not suitable for humidifiers due to lack of chemical softening reaction.
When choosing an analog, pay attention to the size of the pellets. The optimal diameter is from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The material should be designed specifically for contact with drinking water or use in household filters. Industrial varieties of resins can contain toxic binders that, when sprayed with a humidifier, will enter the lungs of households. Safety in this matter is the first place.
Compatible with Xiaomi and Deerma models
Not all humidifiers use interchangeable granular cartridges. Some models have evaporative discs that are simply washed, and others have fine-cleaning membrane filters. So, before looking for flakes, you need to make sure that your model supports the installation of a pellet cartridge, most often with the Deerma DEM-F500 line, Smartmi Evaporative Humidifier and some Mijia Pure models.
Popular Deerma models (e.g., DEM-F500, F600) use open-open cartridges that fill up a mixture of zeolite and resin. In more expensive Smartmi models (e.g., 2S, 3), cartridges often have complex shapes and electronic tags, but they also have a physical granular sorbent inside them. It is important to consider the volume of the cartridge's interior space: a sprinkled filter can swell and damage the case, and a sprinkled one will not provide proper filtration.
| Model of the device | Type of cartridge | Recommended filler | Resource (mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deerma DEM-F500 | Replacement module | Zeolite + Resin | 2-3 |
| Smartmi Evap. Humidifier 2 | Cartridge SCG40 | Ion exchange resin | 3-4 |
| Xiaomi Mi Air Humidifier | Cartridge (old type) | Mixed composite | 2 |
| Deerma F600 | Replacement module | zeolite | 2-3 |
If you own a disc-evaporated model (where water drips onto a rotating disk), you don't need flakes at all, but in such devices, the discs themselves or spongy elements are filtered, which are subject to regular scaling acid washing, and trying to fill the granules in the tank of such models will lead to garbage entering the mechanical part and jamming the engine.
Instructions for filling replacement
The process of replacing the cartridge contents requires precision and a certain sequence of actions. Most cartridges for Xiaomi and Deerma are collapsible, although manufacturers do not intend to reusable. Usually the case consists of two or three parts connected by plastic latches or threads.
First, remove the old cartridge from the humidifier and thoroughly rinse the body under running water, removing the remnants of the old filler and the mucus (biofilm) that may have formed. Then gently open the top cover. Some models remove it by turning, others require light force to open the latches. Be careful not to break the plastic locks.
☑️ Preparation for filling replacement
Once the case is ready, you can start filling. Put the new material (a mixture of zeolite and resin) inside, periodically tapping the cartridge on a hard surface so that the granules fit tightly and there are no voids left. Do not force the material to avoid damaging the bottom grid. Once filled, close the lid before you click. Make sure the sealing gum is in place and not pressed.
⚠️ Note: Before installing a filled cartridge, be sure to soak it in clean water on the cartridge. 15-20 This will allow the granules to be saturated with moisture and remove air bubbles, otherwise, the first start may be splashing water or dry gaps in operation.
Where to buy and how to distinguish quality material
Finding the right flakes can be a quest because they don't sell them in regular supermarkets. The main supply channel is marketplaces (AliExpress, Ozon, Wildberries) and specialized water filter stores, and search for "moisturizer cartridge filler," "zeolite for filters," or "ion-exchange resin retail." Often sellers sell ready-made refill kits for popular Xiaomi models.
When buying, pay attention to the packaging and description. Quality material should be packed in a sealed bag, as the resin can absorb moisture from the air even when stored. The granules should be uniform, without dust or chips. If you buy material for weight, make sure it is stored in a dry room. The color of the granules is usually light brown, yellowish or orange, depending on the type of resin.
💡
Buy a year-ahead filler that will be cheaper than buying original cartridges and ensure you don’t go without a filter at the wrong time when the item is temporarily out of sale.
Beware of fakes that are ordinary dyed sand or cheap silica gel. Silica gel (often found in "do not eat" bags in shoe boxes) is only designed to drain air and does not soften water. Using silica gel in a humidifier is useless for fighting scale and can be dangerous when sprayed. Real resin becomes slippery when wet, but does not dissolve.
Frequent errors and care of the filtration system
Even with the right filler, users often make mistakes that shorten the life of the device, one of the most common is to ignite the tank regularly. While the cartridge softens the water, bacteria can multiply in the tank itself. The hygiene of the tank is as important as the quality of the filter.
Another mistake is to use the cartridge longer than recommended, and when the resin is exhausted, it stops working, but it continues to be in the water, becoming the perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. If you notice that the white coating on the furniture has returned and the smell from the humidifier has become musty, change the filler immediately, even if it is still “fit for” terms.
Don't try to dry the used granules on a battery or sun to "regenerate." As mentioned earlier, in the home, you can't restore the ion-exchange properties of the resin. You just dry out the bacteria, which are then activated again when in contact with water, and the savings on consumables in this case lead to respiratory health risks.
💡
Timely replacement of the filler and regular disinfection of the tank are the only ways to ensure that the humidifier is beneficial rather than becoming a source of bacteria and dust.