How to clean the filter of the air humidifier Xiaomi: instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi’s humidifier is an indispensable tool in the fight against dry air, especially during the heating season, but even the most advanced models (such as the Smartmi Air Humidifier 2, Mi Air Humidifier Pro or Xiaomi). CJXJSQ02ZM) The main element that needs cleaning is the filter, which over time gets clogged with plaque, bacteria and mineral deposits, and if you ignore this procedure, the device will spread unpleasant odor, and the humidification efficiency will drop by 30 to 50 percent%.

In this article, we will discuss how to clean the filter of the Xiaomi humidifier at home without damaging its structure.

• 🔍 Signs that the filter needs urgent cleaning (even if you don’t notice the smell).
• ⏳ Recommended cleaning frequency for different Xiaomi and Smartmi models.
• 🧼 Safe products that will not damage the membrane or coal layer (spoiler: vinegar banned!).
• 🚫 Common errors that make filters unusable after 2-3 cleanings.

Important: The instruction is suitable for most Xiaomi humidifiers, but there are nuances for models with antibacterial filters (for example, Smartmi Air Humidifier). JSQS) And if you have this technique, look for the special notes in the text.

1.When to Clean Xiaomi Moisturizer Filter: 5 Clear Signs

The manufacturer recommends cleaning the filter every 1-2 weeks with active use, but in practice this interval depends on the hardness of the water and the intensity of work.

• 🌫️ White plaque on the inner walls of the tank or around the filter is mineral deposits (lime), which eventually clog the pores.
• 👃 The smell of damp or mold, even when the device is turned off, is most common if the filter was not dried after the previous cleaning.
• 💧 Reduced steam volume: the humidifier operates at maximum power, but the humidity in the room does not rise above 40-50%.
• 🔊 Unusual sounds (gurgling, whistling) – a sign that water passes through a clogged filter with difficulty.
• 🔴 The indicator on the panel (if any) flashes red or shows an error E1/E2 — These are filter clogging codes in most Xiaomi models.

If you use hard water (high in calcium and magnesium), you will have to clean the filter more often - every 5-7 days. Otherwise, mineral deposits will cement the membrane and you will have to change it.

⚠️ Attention: if the Xiaomi humidifier starts spreading the smell of burns, immediately disconnect it from the network! This is a sign of a fault of the heating element (in models with hot steam) or short circuit. Cleaning the filter here will not help - you need a diagnosis at the service center.

2.Preparation for cleaning: what you need and how to disassemble the humidifier

Before you start cleaning, prepare everything you need. Don't use abrasives (hard brushes, metal sponges) because they will damage the filter and the inner covering of the tank.

• 🧴 Soft detergent: suitable liquid for washing children's dishes or a special cleaner for humidifiers (for example, Xiaomi Smartmi Cleaner).
• 🍋 Citric acid (20-30 g per 1 liter of water) - to remove scale. Vinegar can not be used: it corrodes rubber seals and can damage the antibacterial coating of the filter.
• 🧽 Soft sponge or toothbrush with medium stiffness - for cleaning hard-to-reach places.
• 🧻 Microfiber wipe or paper towels for drying.
• 🕳️ Cotton swabs - to get to the sprayer holes.

Now, let's take a look at the humidifier. The algorithm for most Xiaomi models is the same.

1. Disconnect the device from the network and drain the remaining water.
2. Remove the top cover (usually it is fixed by latches or threaded connection).
3. Get the filter – in Smartmi models it is most often located at the bottom of the tank, in Mi Air Humidifier – under the removable panel.
4. If the filter is multilayered (e.g., with carbon and antibacterial layers), separate the layers carefully so as not to break the membrane.

In some humidifiers (for example, Xiaomi) CJXJSQ) The filter is attached to the base with magnets — don't pull it by force, but sway it slightly to the sides. If the filter is not removed, check if the float water level sensor blocks it (it can cling to the edges).

Turn off the humidifier from the socket|Dump the water from the tank.|Prepare detergent and citric acid|Take a picture of the filter location (to collect it back correctly)|Check the integrity of the sealing rubbers-->

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to clean the filter of the Xiaomi humidifier

The cleaning process depends on the type of filter. Xiaomi humidifiers have three options:

Now, let's get to the cleaning itself.

1. Washing under running water: Keep the filter under a stream of warm (not hot!) water for 2-3 minutes to wash off surface contaminants. If the filter is multi-layered, wash each layer separately.
2. Soaking (for mesh and membrane filters only!): Prepare a solution: 1 liter of warm water + 20 g of citric acid. Load the filter for 15 to 20 minutes. If the plaque is persistent, extend it to 30 minutes. For carbon filters, soaking is prohibited, only rinsing!
3. Brush cleaning: walk gently across the surface of the filter with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to the edges and indentations. Don't rub too hard - the membrane may break.
4. Gargling: Wash the filter thoroughly under running water to remove residues of citric acid or detergent.
5. Drying: Place the filter on a clean towel in a vertical position (to let the water flow down). Do not dry in direct sunlight or near heaters - this deforms the material. To speed up the process, you can use a fan at a minimum speed (50 cm distance).

If there are dark spots (mold) left on the filter after cleaning, treat it with a solution of hydrogen peroxide (3%): moisten the cotton-coated disc and gently wipe the contaminated areas. Do not pour directamente peroxide on the filter - this can damage the antibacterial coating!

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If the filter has lost its shape after cleaning (for example, the membrane has deformed), put it under the press (for example, between two books) for 10-12 hours.

4. Errors that shorten the life of the filter

Many users make critical cleaning errors that make the filter unusable after 2-3 months.

• 🧹 Use hard brushes or metal sponges – they scratch the surface of the filter, creating microcracks where the bacteria multiply.
• 🔥 Boil the filter or wash with hot water (over 40)°C) - this destroys the structure of the membrane and the coal layer.
• 🧪 And then you use aggressive chemicals like vinegar, bleach, toilet cleaners, and they leave toxic residues that then get into the air.
• ☀️ Drying the filter on the battery or under the sun – this leads to cracking of the material and loss of elasticity.
• 🔄 Install the filter back wet - even a small moisture will provoke mold growth.

You should be especially careful with antibacterial filters (for example, in Smartmi models). JSQS). Their coatings contain silver ions that are neutralized by contact with chlorine or acids, and if you accidentally use the wrong product, the filter will lose its properties and become a regular sponge for bacteria.

⚠️ Attention: if after cleaning the humidifier Xiaomi began to make more noise or vibrate, most likely, the filter is installed incorrectly. Take apart the device and check: Is the membrane tightly adjacent to the base. Are the layers twisted (if the filter is multilayered). Did not foreign objects (hair, dust, pieces of scale) fall under the filter).

5. How to prolong the life of the filter: 7 tips from service centers

The average life of the filter in Xiaomi humidifiers is 3-6 months, but with proper care it can be extended to 8-12 months.

• 💧 Use distilled or filtered water, which will reduce scale by 70 percent, and if you can't, boil the water before you pour it into the tank.
• 🧼 Change the water daily, even if the humidifier is not working. Stagnant water is the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply.
• 🌡️ Store the device in a dry place at a temperature of 10–25°C. Humidity above 60% indoors accelerates the growth of mold on the filter.
• 🔄 Rinse the humidifier tank every 3 days (even if the filter is clean) and the biofilm accumulates on the walls, which then enters the filter.
• 🛡️ Use water softening cartridges (such as the Xiaomi Smartmi Water Softener) to reduce stiffness and extend the life of the filter by 30 to 40 percent%.
• 📅 Keep a care diary: keep track of the dates of cleaning and filter replacements, which will help you track when problems start (e.g., smell after 3 weeks of use).
• 🔍 Check the sealing gums on the tank and filter, and if they crack, moisture will seep past the filter, and it will rot.

If you live in a region with very hard water (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg), consider installing a main water filter in your apartment, which will not only prolong the life of the humidifier, but also protect other equipment (a kettle, washing machine) from scale.

6 When cleaning won't help: Signs that the filter needs to be replaced

Even with perfect care, the Xiaomi humidifier filter wears out over time. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to buy a new one:

• 🧽 The filter has deformed and does not hold the shape (for example, the membrane sagged or twisted into a tube).
• 🦠 There was a persistent smell of mold, which is not removed even after cleaning with peroxide.
• 💨 The humidifier practically does not give off steam, although there is water in the tank, and the device operates at full power.
• 🔴 On the filter appeared green or black spots — these are colonies of mold fungi that have already penetrated deep into the material.
• ⏳ The filter is used for more than 6 months (for coal) or 12 months (for antibacterials), and even if it looks normal, its effectiveness drops by 60 to 80 months%.

You can do your own filter replacement in Xiaomi humidifiers, but you can choose the original part for your model.

Buy filters only from official dealers or in trusted stores (for example, Mi Store, Messenger, M. Video). There are many fakes on the market that are seemingly indistinguishable from the original, but are made of low-quality materials and can emit harmful substances when heated.

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If the humidifier still doesn't work well after the filter is replaced, the problem may be a clogged sprayer or a faulty ultrasound generator, in which case professional diagnosis is required.

7. Alternative cleaning methods: what can and cannot

There are dozens of “popular” ways to clean humidifier filters on the Internet, but most of them are harmful to Xiaomi’s technology.

If you want to experiment, try an ultrasound bath (available in electronics stores) that's great at removing scale and bacteria without mechanical action. Mode: 35 kHz, temperature 30.°C, 10 minutes, but remember, this is not the way to do carbon filters, because the coal is crumbled by vibrations.

Another controversial, but sometimes effective, way is steam treatment, so you can hold the filter over the steam (like a kettle) for 2-3 minutes to soften the plaque.

• Do not bring the filter closer than 15 cm to the source of steam.
• Do not use this method for filters with adhesive joints (they may disperse).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi humidifier filters