How to clean HEPA-filter in Xiaomi devices: instructions with photos and tips

HEPA-The filters in Xiaomi devices are a key element responsible for trapping the smallest particles of dust, allergens and even viruses. Over time, the filter gets clogged, and its effectiveness decreases. 30-50% through 3-6 But many users make the critical mistake of washing. HEPA-filter under running water or clean it with harsh chemicals, which leads to irreversible damage to the fibers and loss of filtering properties. In this article, we will discuss how to properly clean the filter in the vacuum cleaners Mi Robot Vacuum, air purifiers Mi Air Purifier and other Xiaomi devices without the risk of breaking them.

It is important to understand that not all HEPA-For example, in the models Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier Pro H and Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop. 2 Pro uses disposable filters that are recommended only to be replaced. 3/3H Mi Robot Vacuum E10 filters can be cleaned carefully 2-3 How to distinguish one type from another and what to do in each case - read more.

Types. HEPA-Filters in Xiaomi devices: which can be cleaned and which can not

Before you start cleaning, you need to determine which filter is installed in your device. Xiaomi has three main types:

• 🔄 Reusable (washing) - found in air purifiers Mi Air Purifier 2/2S/3/3H. They have a dense fiberglass structure with antibacterial coatings. 5 intermittently 1-2 month.
• 🚫 Disposable ones are installed in Mi Air Purifier Pro H, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and new vacuum cleaners labeled "Non-Washable" on the package, and if you try to wash them, you'll see them stratified.
• ⚙️ Hybrid – Combined filters (HEPA + coal layer) in Mi Air Purifier 4/4 Pro. The coal layer is not washed, but HEPA-part can be carefully vacuumed or blown.

How do you know the type of filter in your device? First, check the manual or box — it should be marked Washable or Non-Washable. Second, check the filter itself: if it has a rigid plastic frame and labeling. HEPA H11/H12/H13, If the filter is soft, without a frame, and says Replace Only, it's a disposable option.

⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi vacuum cleaners (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum) E10) HEPA-The filter is often integrated into the cyclone block, and you can't take it out separately, but with the dust container, and you try to remove the filter by force, and you break the latch.

Preparation for cleaning: what you need and how to avoid mistakes

If you've determined that your filter can be cleaned, the next step is to prepare the tools.

• 🧼 Warm water (not above 40)°C) - hot fibre deforms HEPA.
• 🧴 Neutral detergent (for example, dishwashing liquid) - without bleach and abrasives.
• 🧽 Soft brush (dental or electronic cleaning) – hard brushes tear the filter.
• 💨 Dryer or vacuum cleaner – for drying or removing surface dust.
• 🧤 Gloves — HEPA-filters accumulate harmful microparticles.

Now, what you can't do:

• 🚿 Do not wash the filter under a strong pressure of water - it destroys its structure.
• ☠️ Do not use alcohol, vinegar or chlorine – they destroy the antibacterial coating.
• 🔥 Do not dry the filter on the battery or in direct sunlight – it can be deformed.
• 🧲 Do not try to clean the filter with a magnet or other “folk” methods – it is useless and dangerous.

Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the device from the network and remove the filter according to the instructions. In air purifiers Xiaomi usually need:

1. Press the latch on the back.
2. Pull the filter unit on yourself.
3. Unplug HEPA-filter from the pre-filter (if combined).

💡

If the filter is heavily contaminated with mold or has an unpleasant odor, it is better to replace it immediately, cleaning in this case will not help, but only spread spores around the house.

Step-by-step instructions: how to clean properly HEPA-Xiaomi filter

The cleaning process depends on the type of filter. Below is a universal instruction for reusable ones. HEPA-filters (e.g. from Mi Air Purifier) 3H):

Make sure the filter is reusable|Prepare warm water and a soft detergent|Carefully remove the filter from the device|Wash under a weak water pressure|Dry for at least 24 hours before installation-->

Step 1: Dry cleaning (for all types of filters)

Start by removing surface dust.

1. Take a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle and at minimum power walk through the filter on both sides.
2. Use a dry brush to clean dust from the recesses (especially for filters with a folded structure).
3. For hybrid filters (HEPA + coal) do not touch the coal layer - it can only be vacuumed.

Step 2: Wet cleaning (wash filters only)

If the filter is heavily contaminated, it can be washed:

1. Pour warm water into the basin (temperature) 30-40°C) and add a few drops of detergent.
2. Immerse the filter in the water on 10-15 minutes to soften the dirt.
3. With a soft brush, gently clean the folds of the filter, moving along the fibers (not across!).
4. Wash the filter under a weak water pressure, holding it vertically so as not to damage the structure.

Step 3: Drying and installation

This is the most important step, because if you dry the whole thing, it's not cleaned.

• 🌬️ Dry the filter on a clean towel in a well-ventilated room.
• ⏳ Drying time is at least 24 hours, and the dryer can only be accelerated in cold mode.
• 🔍 Before installation, check the filter for light: if you see tears or deformities, it must be replaced.

Once completely dry, install the filter back into the device. In Xiaomi air purifiers, after replacing / cleaning the filter, you may need to reset the meter in the Mi Home application.

1. Open the app and select your device.
2. Go to Settings → Reset filter counter.
3. Confirm the action – now the device will correctly track the filter resource.

💡

Never install a wet filter back into the device! This will result in mold and bacteria multiplying, which will then spread around the room.

Frequent errors in cleaning HEPA-filters and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that shorten the life of the filter or make it worse.

• 💦 Use of hot water - at temperatures above 40°C glue, fibre-holding HEPA, It starts to melt and the filter loses its shape.
• 🧼 Aggressive detergents – chlorine, vinegar or washing powder destroy the antibacterial coating, and the filter stops trapping microbes.
• 🌀 Washing in the washing machine – even in delicate mode, the filter deforms and tears.
• 🔄 Frequent cleaning - wash HEPA-filtering is not more frequent 1 time-in 2-3 More often than not, only if it is heavily contaminated (e.g. after repairs).
• 🚫 Ignoring the pre-filter – if you do not clean the mesh before HEPA, It'll be 2 times faster.

Another common problem is that the filter is not installed properly after cleaning. 3H filter must be installed strictly by the labels (usually there is an arrow or an inscription). AIR FLOW). If you put it backwards, the cleaning efficiency will fall on the 60-70%, And the device will be louder.

⚠️ Warning: If a foreign smell appears in the air purifier after cleaning the filter, it is a sign that the filter has not completely dried out or was damaged during washing, in which case it must be replaced, otherwise the smell will spread throughout the room.

And what many people forget is that once you clean the filter, you have to reset the meter in the application, and if you don't, the device will show the wrong amount of life and may not adjust the power correctly.

Alternative cleaning methods: when washing is not suitable

Not all filters can be washed, but that doesn't mean they can't be cleaned by other means. Here are a few alternative methods:

1. Compressed air purging

Suitable for hybrid filters (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum) or if the filter cannot be wet.

• 💨 Compressor or compressed air canister (sold in electronics stores).
• 🕳️ Narrow-filled vacuum cleaner.

How to do this:

1. Take the filter out to the balcony or in a well-ventilated room (there will be a lot of dust!).
2. Short pulses (no more than that) 2-3 squash the filter on both sides, keeping the cylinder at a distance. 10-15 centimeter.
3. Remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner.

2.Breaking by ferry

This method is suitable for disinfecting the filter if it has no visible contaminants but has started to smell unpleasant.

1. Hold the filter over the steam at a distance. 20-30 cc 1-2 minute.
2. Don’t get too close – high temperatures can damage the fibers.
3. After processing, dry the filter 12-24 hour.

3.Ultrasonic bath

If you have an ultrasonic sink (for example, for jewelry), it can be used for delicate cleaning:

• 💧 Pour warm water into the bath with a small amount of detergent.
• 🕒 Place the filter in the bath on 5-10 minutes at most!).
• 🧼 After the procedure, wash the filter under a weak water pressure.

These methods are less effective than washing, but prolong the life of the filter on the 20-30% They help in cases where washing is contraindicated.

💡

If you frequently use alternative cleaning methods, keep a filter replacement diary, for example, if the original resource is used — 6 You clean the filter every month. 2 months, replace it in a month. 8-10 months 12.

When cleaning is useless: signs that the filter needs to be replaced

Even with the most careful care HEPA-The filter wears out over time, and here are the signs that it's time to replace it:

• 🌫️ Deteriorating air purification – the device works at maximum, but dust and smells remain.
• 🔊 Increased noise – clogged filter makes the fan work for wear.
• 🤧 The appearance of allergic reactions - the filter stopped retaining pollen or dust mites.
• 💸 Increased energy consumption – air purifier began to “eat” electricity.
• 👃 Persistent unpleasant odor – even after cleaning, the filter smells of mold or fumes.

On average, original HEPA-Xiaomi filters are used:

• 🏠 At home (moderate use) — 6-12 months.
• 🏭 In conditions of severe pollution (repair, animals, smokers) — 3-6 months.
• 🏥 In medical facilities or allergic rooms — 2-4 month.

If you've noticed at least 2-3 The first one is the one on the list above, don't waste time cleaning up -- buy a new filter:

When buying a filter, pay attention to:

• 🔍 The article must be the same as the original.
• 📦 Packaging – the original has a hologram and a Xiaomi barcode.
• 💬 Fakes often have a sharp chemical smell.

Prevention: How to prolong life HEPA-filter

To clean or change the filter less often, follow these tips:

• 🌿 Use a pre-filter – it traps large dust and prolongs life HEPA. Clean it once every 2 weeks.
• 🚫 Do not smoke indoors – tobacco tar quickly clogs the filter.
• 🐕 Vacuum regularly – If you have pets, clean the filter 30% more often.
• 🌡️ Control humidity – at humidity above 60%, mold can start in the filter.
• 🔄 Turn on the device at full power only if necessary - constant operation at maximum reduces the filter life.

In the Mi Home app, you can set up an automatic mode that will adjust the cleaning power depending on the air quality.

1. Open the app and select your air purifier.
2. Go to Settings → Mode of work.
3. Select the car and set a target level PM2.5 (optimally — 35-50 μg³).

It is also useful to check the filter condition once a month through the app, and newer models (such as the Mi Air Purifier 4 Pro) have a self-diagnosis feature that shows the degree of pollution as a percentage.

💡

If you live in a city with high pollution levels (e.g. Moscow, St. Petersburg, industrial areas), set a notification on the Mi Home app to change the filter 20% ahead of the standard deadline.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about HEPA-Xiaomi filters