Cleaning the Xiaomi moisturiser: a complete guide with photos and tips

Why cleaning Xiaomi moisturizer is not just a recommendation, but a necessity

Xiaomi’s humidifier is one of the most popular gadgets for creating a comfortable microclimate in the house. But many users forget that it is not just “poured and forgotten”, and a device that requires regular maintenance. Scale, bacteria and mold are the main enemies of any humidifier, and models from Xiaomi (whether it is Smartmi Air Humidifier, Mi Air Humidifier 2 or Deerma Humidifier) are no exception.

If you ignore cleaning, the consequences can be serious: from unpleasant smell and white plaque on furniture to breakage of the ultrasonic membrane or overgrown heating element (in models with hot steam). Moreover, a polluted humidifier instead of good causes harm - sprays mold spores and microorganisms into the air that can cause allergies or breathing problems. Therefore, you need to clean the Xiaomi humidifier at least 1 time per week when you are actively using, and be sure - before the first switching on after storage.

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 Step-by-step instructions for disassembling and cleaning any Xiaomi model (including Smartmi and Deerma).
• 🧪 List of safe products that will not damage plastic and membrane.
• ⚠️ What not to do: Common mistakes that lead to failure.
• 📅 Preventive cleaning schedule depending on water hardness.

What Xiaomi Humidifiers Need to Be Cleaned (and How They Differ)

Xiaomi has several humidifier lines, each with its own design features that affect the cleaning process.

If your model is not listed in the table, focus on the type of moisture:

• 💧 Smartmi, Mi Air Humidifier: Pay attention to the membrane and the tank. Don't use abrasives!
• ☁️ With hot steam (Deerma some models) – clean like an electric kettle, removing the scale with citric acid.
• 🌿 With antibacterial coating (CA1) — Avoid aggressive chemicals to avoid damaging your defenses.

Not sure about the model? See its name on the sticker under the tank or in the Mi Home app in the Devices section. → [moisturizer] → Settings → Information.

What you need to clean: a complete list of tools and tools

Before you start cleaning, prepare everything you need, and if you use the wrong tools, you can damage the plastic, the membrane, the filter, and here's the safe kit.

• 🧼 Soft sponge or rag made of microfiber - to remove plaque without scratches.
• 🧂 Citric acid or vinegar 9% – for scale removal (especially in models with hot steam).
• 🧴 Liquid soap or dishwashing agent – for daily cleaning of the tank.
• 🧤 Gloves – Protecting the skin from chemicals and bacteria.
• 🪥 Toothbrush with soft bristles - for cleaning hard-to-reach places (for example, around the membrane).
• 💧 Distilled or filtered water – for rinsing after cleaning.

What NOT to use:

• ❌ Abrasive powders (such as Pemoluks) – scratch the plastic and membrane.
• ❌ Chlorine-containing agents (for example, Whiteness) - destroy the antibacterial coating and rubber seals.
• ❌ Hard brushes or metal sponges – damage the ultrasonic membrane.
• ❌ Alcohol and solvents – can deform plastic.

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If your model has a removable filter (for example, in Mi Air Humidifier 2), never wash it under running water - only rinse it in warm water without pressure, otherwise it will lose shape.

Step-by-step: how to disassemble and clean the Xiaomi humidifier

The cleaning process can be divided into 3 steps: preparation, cleaning the tank and membrane, disinfection. Follow the instructions in strict order so that important details are not missed.

Step 1: Disconnect and disassemble

Before starting work:

1. Turn off the humidifier from the socket and drain the remaining water.
2. Remove the tank - it usually unscrews counterclockwise (in Smartmi and Mi Air Humidifier models, it is enough to pull up).
3. Remove the filter (if any) and the membrane (in ultrasonic models it is located in the lower part under the tank).

Step 2: Cleaning the tank

Buck is the main source of scale and bacteria.

1. Pour warm water (not boiling water!) into the tank and add 2 tbsp of citric acid or 100 ml of vinegar. Leave for 30 to 60 minutes.
2. With a soft sponge, remove the softened plaque. Use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.
3. Thoroughly rinse the tank with running water 3-4 times so that there is no acid left.

Step 3: Cleaning the membrane and filter

The membrane is the most delicate element, and it can't be rubbed or used with chemistry.

1. Wash the membrane under a weak pressure of warm water (not higher than 40).°C).
2. If there is a white coating on the membrane, carefully remove it with a cotton swab dipped in water with citric acid (1 tsp. per glass of water).
3. Wash the filter (if removable) in warm water without detergents and squeeze it out without twisting.

Step 4: Disinfection (optional but recommended)

If the humidifier has not been cleaned for a long time or an unpleasant smell emanates from it, disinfect:

1. Prepare the solution: 1 tsp. hydrogen peroxide (3%) per 1 liter of water.
2. Pour the solution into the tank and turn on the humidifier for 5-10 minutes (no spraying, just to contact the liquid with internal surfaces).
3. Pour the solution and rinse the tank 3-4 times with clean water.

Drain all liquid from the tank.|Clean the body dry.|Check the membrane for damage.|Make sure the filter is dry|Construct the device without distortion-->

After assembly, pour distilled water and turn on the humidifier for 10-15 minutes in maximum performance mode to wash away the residues of cleaning products.

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Never turn on the humidifier immediately after cleaning with vinegar or citric acid - acid residues can damage the membrane when sprayed. Always flush the tank thoroughly!

How to remove scale in Xiaomi moisturizers with hot steam (Deerma, etc.)

Models with hot steam function (Deerma) DEM-HX120, Some versions of Smartmi are more prone to scale because the water gets hot, and if you ignore the cleaning, the heating element will be covered with a thick layer of sediment, which will lead to overheating and breakage.

To remove scale:

1. Prepare the solution: 3 tbsp. l. citric acid per 1 liter of water.
2. Pour the solution into the tank and turn on the humidifier in maximum steam mode for 20-30 minutes (until the steam stops going).
3. Turn off the device and leave the solution inside for another 1-2 hours.
4. Pour the liquid and remove the softened scale with a soft sponge. Use a toothbrush for the heating element.

If the scale is persistent and not removed, repeat the procedure or use special means to remove scale (for example, Antinakipin), but in half the concentration so as not to damage the plastic.

⚠️ Warning: Hot vapor humidifiers should not use vinegar to clean the heating element - its vapors can damage the internal parts and leave a persistent smell!

Frequent cleaning mistakes: What your humidifier can break

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to breakdown.-5 most dangerous:

1. Using boiling water to flush the membrane, the ultrasonic membrane is sensitive to high temperatures, boiling water deforms it, and the humidifier will stop creating steam.
2. Clean the membrane with a hard brush or a knife, and the membrane is covered with a thin layer that is easily damaged, and then the humidifier will work noisily or will stop spraying water altogether.
3. Soaking the body in water, and at the bottom of the humidifier, there are electronic components, and if water hits the board, the device could fail.
4. Use of aggressive chemicals (chlorine, acetone) that destroy plastic, rubber seals and antibacterial coatings (if any).
5. Storing a humidifier with water inside, leaving the water in the tank for a long time (for example, in the summer), it will lead to the reproduction of bacteria and the appearance of mold.

If you have already made one of these mistakes, check the device for performance:

• 🔊 The humidifier started to hum loudly. → Maybe the membrane's damaged.
• 💨 No steam. → clogged holes of the sprayer or broken heating element.
• 🚨 There were cracks on the body. → Plastic destroyed by aggressive chemistry.

In most cases, the humidifier can be reconditioned, but sometimes parts (such as membranes or filters) will need to be replaced. Official parts for Xiaomi models can be ordered on AliExpress or at service centers.

How often to clean the Xiaomi moisturiser: a care schedule

The frequency of cleaning depends on the hardness of the water and the intensity of use, and here are recommendations for different conditions:

To reduce the frequency of cleaning:

• 💧 Use distilled or filtered water – this will reduce the formation of scale.
• 🧂 Add special softening cartridges to the water (e.g. Xiaomi Smartmi Water Softener).
• 🌡️ Watch for humidity levels if the room is already in the room. >60%, the humidifier can be turned off.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Cleaning Xiaomi Humidizers