Owners of automatic dispensers Xiaomi Mijia and Sothing often face the desire to save on consumables or choose a composition with a flavor that the original manufacturer does not offer. Smart dispenser is a gadget that significantly increases the hygiene of the handwashing process, but its work depends on the viscosity and chemical composition of the poured liquid. Attempt to pour into the device a regular thick soap from the supermarket often ends in a breakdown of the mechanism or incorrect operation of the sensor.
In this article, we will discuss how to properly prepare liquid soap for Xiaomi dispenser at home, so as not to damage the pump and ensure stable foaming. You will learn about the necessary proportions, the right ingredients and the subtleties of adjusting the concentration of foam feed through the Mi Home application. The correct approach will allow you to use the device for years without replacing expensive components.
Principle of operation and requirements for liquid
Xiaomi's automatic dispensers use instant foaming technology, and inside the device is a special micropump and mixing chamber that feeds air and soap solution. The key to stable operation is viscosity. If the liquid is too thick, the motor will not be able to pump it, which will lead to overheating or jamming of the gears.
Original cartridges contain a ready-made mixture of a certain density, usually the ratio of water to concentrate 12:1. Homemade solution should mimic this structure as accurately as possible. Surface active substances (surfactants) in a home recipe must be completely dissolved, otherwise the formed lumps can clog the thin channels of the pump.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to pour clean thick soap, abrasive particle gels or oil into the Xiaomi dispenser. This is guaranteed to lead to clogging of the exit hole and break the pump.
To make a safe mixture, it is important to use only transparent bases without adding scrubbing elements, the viscosity of the final product should be comparable to water or very liquid syrup, only in this case the sensory mechanism will have time to react and emit a portion of the foam in a fraction of a second.
Necessary ingredients and tools
To create a quality equivalent to a branded filler, you'll need a basic set of components that are easy to find in soap or chemistry stores. The basis of any recipe is a soap base or liquid soap concentrate. You can also use baby liquid soap, but you'll have to dilute it very hard.
The second critical component is distilled or boiled soft water. Using tap water can lead to scale inside the mechanism and a whitish coating on the dispenser body, and the distillate ensures that there are no calcium and magnesium salts that harm the pump.
For mixing and storage, prepare the following tools:
- 🧪 Measured cup or syringe for 20 ml for exact dosage.
- 🥣 Capacity for mixing components (better with a nose for convenient transfusion).
- 🧴 Funnel with a thin nose to fill the dispenser tank.
- 🧼 Stirring stick (glass or plastic).
Make sure all dishes are clean and dry, and exposure to foreign chemicals or dirt can change the properties of the solution and trigger bacteria to multiply inside the bottle.
Step-by-step instructions: recipes for cooking
There are several proven ways to make the mixture, and the simplest and most reliable way is to use a ready-made soap base designed to make liquid soap, which already has the necessary structure and requires only dilution.
☑️ List of actions in preparation
The second option is suitable for those who want to use baby soap: Take 10 ml of liquid baby soap (such as "Eared Nanny" or analogues without strong fragrances) and mix it with 120-130 ml of warm distilled water. Carefully shake the mixture, but try not to create abundant foam in the mixing container.
If you use a hard household or baby soap, it must be pre-grated on a fine grater and dissolved in hot water, an important nuance: this solution requires very careful filtration through several layers of gauze or a coffee filter before pouring to remove all undissolved particles.
The Secret to Perfect Foam
After mixing all the components, allow the solution to stand at room temperature for 1-2 hours, during which time air bubbles will come out of the liquid, which could get there when shaken, the presence of air in the mixture can cause the dispenser to spit or give out voids instead of foam.
Table of proportions for different bases
For ease of preparation, we have prepared a table with optimal component ratios, and observing these proportions will help to obtain a consistency close to the original Xiaomi cartridges.
| Type of basic | Proportion (Basic: Water) | Recommended water temperature | The need for filtration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid soap base | 1: 10 - 12 | Room room | Not required |
| Baby liquid soap | 1: 12 - 15 | Warm (30-40°C) | Desired. |
| Concentrate for SMS | 1: 20 - 30 | Warm. | Required. |
| Dissolved solid soap | 1: 15 - 20 | Hot (for dissolution) | Mandatory (repeated) |
Remember that the concentration of surfactants in baby soaps is often lower than in specialized bases, so the ratio to water can vary.It is better to start with less water and gradually add it, checking the density.
Dispenser setting and testing
Once you have poured the solution into the tank, you need to set the device up correctly. Xiaomi's smart dispensers allow you to adjust the amount of foam you emit through the Mi Home app, which is especially important when using homemade mixtures, the density of which may differ from the factory.
Go to the device settings in the app and select the concentration level. For homemade soaps, it is recommended to start with minimum or average values. If the foam is too liquid and quickly drains from your hands, try increasing concentration or selecting a higher level in the settings.
- 🔋 Check the battery before testing a new mixture.A weak charge may not be able to handle pumping even a properly prepared solution.
- 💧 Do it. 2-3 test pressing into the sink to remove air from the tube and supply channel.
- 👀 Assess the quality of the foam: it should be dense, creamy and well held in the palm of your hand.
⚠️ Attention: If after 5-6 If you press the dispenser, it makes a buzzing sound, but the foam is not going, stop trying immediately. Probably the mixture is too thick. Dilute it with water directly into the container or remove and flush the pump.
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If you notice that the nozzle clogs over time, don't try to clean it with a needle. Take off the spout and rinse it with warm water under strong pressure, and then purify.
Elimination and maintenance
Even if you follow all the rules, you can have problems, and one of the most common is the crystallization of the soap as it comes out of the nozzle, which happens if the mixture is too concentrated or dry in the air, and you can wipe the dispenser nose regularly with a wet wipe.
Another problem is the dissection of the mixture, and if you notice that after a few days of use, the liquid in the bottle has split into fractions, then there were not enough emulsifiers in the composition, in which case, before each replacement of the cartridge or pouring, the mixture should be carefully shaken.
To extend the life of the device, it is recommended to carry out a preventive flushing of the system every 2-3 months, pour clean distilled water into the tank and allow the device to do several spray cycles, which will remove the residue of soap from the internal channels and prevent drying.
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Regular washing with distilled water is the best way to avoid breakage of the pump and keep the warranty on the device when using non-original fillers.
Using homemade soap in Xiaomi dispensers is a great way to make the gadget more economical and environmentally friendly, the main thing is to observe the measure in concentration and use quality, well-diluted ingredients.