Why cleaning the Xiaomi Mi moisturiser is not a luxury, but a necessity
The Xiaomi Mi humidifier (whether it’s the Smartmi Air Humidifier 2, Mi Air Humidifier Pro or MiJia MJJSQ) has become an indispensable tool for dry air control, but few people realize that within a few weeks of use, a bouquet of limestone plaque from hard water, black mold in nooks, and a biofilm of bacteria that can’t be seen by the naked eye. These pollutants don’t just mess up the look — they turn the device into an allergen sprayer.
The manufacturer recommends cleaning the humidifier every 3-5 days with heavy use, but in practice users remember this once a month - when the device begins to smell like a "swamp" and the white case is covered with yellowish stains. Ignoring the cleaning by 70% reduces the life of the membrane and ultrasonic generator, which leads to expensive repairs. In this article, we will discuss how to properly clean the Xiaomi Mi at home without damaging the electronics and without losing the warranty.
What you need to clean: full checklist
Before you start, prepare everything you need, and using inappropriate tools (such as abrasive powders or chlorine) can spoil plastic or rubber seals.
- 🧼 Soft sponge (preferably new, without residues of detergent)
- 🧽 Toothbrush with soft bristles - for hard-to-reach places
- 🍋 Citric acid (20–30 g per 1 liter of water) or vinegar 9% (1:1 with water)
- 🧴 Liquid soap or dishwashing agent (without fragrances)
- 🧤 Rubber gloves – protection against chemical burns
- 📦 Soft fabric from microfiber for drying
- 🔧 Tweezers (to remove the filter in some models)
Models with an ionizing rod (such as Smartmi Air Humidifier 2) will require distilled water to rinse, and if the humidifier has not been cleaned for more than a month, prepare hydrogen peroxide 3% - it will help remove mold.
Disassembly of the Xiaomi Mi moisturiser: what can be removed and what not
Xiaomi's humidifier design is thoughtful, but not all parts are designed for custom disassembly.
- The upper cover - is removed by turning counterclockwise (on some models - by pressing the latches).
- Water reservoir – separated from the base after pressing the unlock button (usually marked with a symbol) 🔓).
- Coarse cleaning filter (if any) – removed from the tank or base.
- Ultrasonic membrane (only in models MiJia MJJSQ and Smartmi 2) – available after removing the bottom cover of the base (unscrew 2-3 screws under rubber legs).
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble the power supply or electronic board, this will cancel the warranty and may cause shock. Also do not remove the built-in fan (in models with a "warm steam"), if you do not have experience with the technology.
How to remove the bottom cover of the base?
| Moisturizer model | Discussed elements | What you can't touch |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Air Humidifier (1st generation) | Cover, tank, filter | Electronic unit, membrane |
| Smartmi Air Humidifier 2 | Cover, tank, membrane (after removal of the lower cover) | Control board, fan |
| MiJia MJJSQ | Cover, tank, membrane, ionizing rod | Transformer, humidity sensors |
| Mi Air Humidifier Pro | Reservoir, container, HEPA filter (if any) | Ultrasonic generator, display |
Step-by-step cleaning: from scale to disinfection
Now, to the process itself, follow the instructions in strict order so that you don't miss important steps.
1. Cleaning the tank of scale and mucus
Pour warm water (40–50°C) into the tank and add:
- 🍋 20 g citric acid or
- 🥛 100 ml vinegar 9% per 1 litre of water.
Leave for 1-2 hours (for heavy deposits, overnight). Then wipe the walls with a soft sponge and rinse with running water. Use hydrogen peroxide to remove mold: apply for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Cleaning of the ultrasonic membrane
The membrane is the most vulnerable area. Wipe it with a wet toothbrush without pressing, soaked in soap solution. Don't use alcohol or acetone! After washing, dry the membrane naturally (not with a hairdryer!).
Disconnect the device from the network
Remove the bottom cover (if required)
Wipe the membrane with a soft brush with soap solution
Wash with distilled water
Dry 12.+ preassembly-->
Disinfection of the ionizing rod (if any)
In Smartmi 2 and MiJia MJJSQ, the rod is cleaned with acetic solution (1:1 with water) for 30 minutes, then rinsed with distilled water and dried.
4. Filter flushing
Coarse cleaning filters are washed under running water, HEPA-filters (in Mi Air Humidifier Pro) are vacuumed or replaced every 3-6 months. HEPA-filters! - they are disposable.
💡
If the humidifier makes loud noises after cleaning, check the membrane for damage, often caused by a microcrack due to aggressive detergents.
Frequent errors: what will accelerate the breakdown of the humidifier
Even with regular cleaning, users make mistakes that shorten the life of the device, and here are the most common:
- 🚫 Using hard water without filtration, scale settles on the membrane and reduces productivity by 40% in 2 weeks.
- 🚫 Drying with a hair dryer or on a battery, overheating deforms plastic and rubber seals.
- 🚫 Cleaning with abrasives (baking soda, powders) that scratch the surface, and the dirt sticks faster.
- 🚫 Storage with water inside. Stagnant water is the perfect environment for bacteria.
⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the humidifier began to "spit" with water or make a whistle, most likely you damaged the membrane.In this case, a replacement is required (the cost of the part is from 800 to 1500 rubles depending on the model).
💡
Use distilled or filtered water - this will prolong the life of the membrane by 2-3 times and reduce the frequency of cleanings to 1 time in 2 weeks.
How often to clean the humidifier: a schedule for different conditions
The frequency of treatment depends on the hardness of the water, the intensity of use and the humidity in the room.
| Conditions of use | Cleaning the tank | Cleaning the membrane | Replacement of filters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily use, hard water | Every 3-5 days | Once every 2 weeks | Every 2 months |
| Daily use, soft water | Every 7-10 days | Once a month | Every 3 months |
| Periodic use (2-3 times a week) | Once every 2 weeks | Every 1-2 months | Every 6 months |
| Storage (rarely used) | Before each use | Before seasonal storage | As we wear it out |
⚠️ Warning: If you have allergies or young children in the house, disinfect (with peroxide or vinegar) every week, even with soft water.
How to replace the original consumables: budget analogues
The original filters and membranes for Xiaomi Mi are not cheap, but they can be replaced with more affordable analogues without loss of quality:
- 🔄 Coarse cleaning filter → Any carbon filter for humidifiers with a mesh size of 0.5-1 mm (for example, from Boneco or Polaris) is suitable).
- 🔄 HEPA-Filter for Mi Air Humidifier Pro) → Analogue from Levoit (article) LV-H132) or Philips (Series 2000).
- 🔄 Ultrasonic membrane → Universal membranes from Yococo or Baseus (compatible with most Xiaomi models).
- 🔄 Ionizing rod → You can use the rods from Sharp (series) KC) Panasonic (F-VXH50).
When replacing the membrane, pay attention to the frequency of oscillations (should match the original — usually 1.7-2.4 MHz), a mismatch will lead to a decrease in performance or overheating.