Owners of Xiaomi’s climate technology and Deerma’s sub-brand often question the quality of the fluid used to generate steam. Choosing the right one directly affects the durability of the device, the efficiency of evaporation, and, importantly, the health of the respiratory system of households. Unlike steam evaporators, the ultrasonic models that most of these devices are used to generate steam are extremely sensitive to the mineral composition of the fluid.
Using inappropriate water causes a rapid white coating on furniture, clogging of the membrane and foul odor. In this article, we will discuss in detail what liquid is best used for different models of humidifiers, how to soften hard water and properly maintain the tank, so that the equipment lasts for years.
Knowing the technical details will help avoid costly repairs. Many users ignore the manufacturer's recommendations, believing that the humidifier "does not care" where the moisture gets into. However, an ultrasonic membrane is a mechanism that vibrates with great frequency, breaking the droplets into microscopic mist. Any impurities in the liquid remain on the surface of the membrane or fly into the air with the vapor.
The principle of operation of ultrasonic humidifiers Deerma
To understand the water requirements, we need to look at the physics of the process briefly, and inside the device's body is an ultrasonic membrane that oscillates at a rate of several million times per second, and these vibrations create pressures that break the surface tension of the water and turn it into cold mist, and not only are H2O molecules involved, but all the salts dissolved in it.
If you pour hard tap water into the tank, the calcium and magnesium salts (carbonate hardness) don't go anywhere, either settle at the bottom of the tank as white powder, or fly out as microscopic dust, settling on surfaces around the device, and it's this white plaque that often scares users into thinking the device has broken down or is spitting on lime.
The Deerma DEM-F600, DEM-F628 and DEM-ST900 models work on the same principle, but may have different inlet filtering systems. Some versions have softening cartridges, others do not. Understanding this difference is critical to choosing the type of fluid to be poured.
⚠️ Warning: White coating of furniture is not a humidifier breakage, but a sign of high mineralization of the water used. The device performs its function properly, but the raw materials for the work are not selected correctly.
In addition, the presence of minerals contributes to the reproduction of bacteria in the tank. Distilled or purified water creates a less favorable environment for microorganisms compared to chlorinated tap water, which loses its disinfectant properties when settling.
Water types: comparison and recommendations
We will analyze the main liquid options that are available in household conditions, and evaluate their suitability for Xiaomi equipment.
Tap water is the least suitable option. Even if it is visually transparent, it contains high amounts of hardness salts and chlorine. Chlorine can irritate mucous membranes when sprayed, and salts will quickly disable the piezoelectric element. Use of such water is permissible only in emergency cases and requires frequent cleaning of the tank.
Boiled water is a common myth. Boiling kills bacteria, but it doesn't remove hard salts. On the contrary, boiling water precipitates some of the salts, but the concentration of the remaining minerals in the water increases, and pouring boiled water can lead to even more intense white plaque.
The best choice for Deerma ultrasonic models are:
- 💧 Distilled water - an ideal option that does not contain salts and impurities, completely eliminates the formation of scale.
- 💧 Water after reverse osmosis – household filters with reverse osmosis membrane purify water almost to the level of distillate, removing 98-99% fermentation.
- 💧 Bottled drinking water (labeled “baby food” or “soft”) – low in mineralization, but can be expensive for daily use in large quantities.
And you should also mention the jug filters with interchangeable cartridges, which reduce the stiffness in part, but the life of a conventional cartridge is not long enough, so if you use a jug, watch the life of the cartridge and change it strictly to the rules, otherwise it will become a source of bacteria.
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You can check the hardness of water with the help of test strips or simply looking at the bottom of the kettle: the abundant scale suggests that such water can not be used for a humidifier without additional softening.
Use of cartridges and filtration systems
Many Deerma humidifiers, such as the F600 or JSQ series, are equipped with or support the installation of interchangeable demineralization cartridges, which are filled with ion exchange resin, which replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, softening the water.
However, the cartridge is limited in life, and on average, one module lasts for 30-45 days of active use (8-10 hours a day), when the resource is exhausted, the cartridge stops softening the water, and the tank begins to scalp again, and in fact, the spent cartridge can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it is not replaced in time.
Algorithm of actions when using the cartridge:
- Before the first installation, the new cartridge must be soaked in a container with clean water for 10-15 minutes to activate the resin.
- Install the cartridge in the compartment according to the instructions (usually in the neck of the tank or in a special glass).
- Check the water regularly, and if there is a white coating on the bottom of the tank or on the membrane, the cartridge is exhausted.
If the water hardness in your area is extremely high, even a new cartridge can be produced in a couple of weeks, in such cases, it is better to pre-purify the water through a reverse osmosis filter or buy a distillate.
| Type of water | Scaling education | Impact on the membrane | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | High. | Negative (overgrowth) | Not recommended |
| Boiled. | High. | Negative. | Not recommended |
| Filter-jug | Average. | Moderate. | It is permissible (to monitor the resource) |
| Reverse osmosis | Low/No | Safe. | Recommended |
| Distilled | No. | Perfect. | Optimally. |
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Cartridge softener is a consumable with a limited life, not a perpetual filter, and its replacement is mandatory to maintain the quality of steam.
The problem of white plaque and methods of struggle
If you notice that white dust is appearing around the Xiaomi Deerma humidifier, and mucus or solid sediment is accumulating inside the tank, that's a signal to action. The white plaque is made up of calcium carbonate, which not only spoils the appearance of furniture, but can also settle in the lungs, especially in people with asthma or allergies.
Citric acid can be used to control the existing plaque inside the tank and on the heating elements (if there are any in the design of the evaporator), which effectively dissolves calcium deposits without damaging the plastic of the case.
Scale cleaning procedure:
- 🍋 Solve 10-20 gram of citric acid in warm water.
- 🍋 Pour the solution into the tank and leave it on 30-60 minute.
- 🍋 Rinse the tank thoroughly with clean water several times to remove the residues of acid and dissolved salt.
⚠️ Warning: Never use chlorine-containing cleaning products (such as White) or aggressive household chemicals to wash the tank. Residues of chlorine vapors during the operation of the humidifier will enter the air and can cause poisoning or burns of the airways.
To prevent plaque on furniture, you can use special demineralizing cartridges or mats that capture some of the moisture, but the best solution is prevention: only pour prepared water.
Tanks hygiene and fighting bacteria
The humid, warm environment inside the humidifier tank is the perfect place for bacteria and mold to grow, and if the water stagnates, it will multiply and then spray it around the room, a phenomenon sometimes called "humidifier syndrome," although it's more accurate to talk about bacterial air pollution.
To avoid this, you need to follow simple hygiene rules:
- Change the water in the tank daily, even if it is not running out. Stagnant water loses its properties.
- Once every 3-5 days, wash the tank using a mild detergent or solution of vinegar / citric acid.
- Before a long downtime (for example, in summer), be sure to completely dry all the details of the device.
Some Deerma models are UV sterilized or use silver ions in cartridges, which help suppress bacterial growth but do not replace mechanical cleaning, UV light may not reach all corners of the tank, and the silver rod will eventually deplete.
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Seasonal storage and conservation
When the heating season is over and the need for humidification is gone, the device needs to be properly preserved, the water left inside will inevitably bloom, and by the next season you will have a source of unpleasant odor and bacteria.
Procedures before cleaning:
- Dump all remaining water from the tank and base.
- Wash all removable parts with clean water.
- Wipe the ultrasonic membrane with a soft cloth (no pile) to remove the micro-plaque.
- Leave the device disassembled in a warm, dry place until completely drying (at least for a day).
Store the humidifier in a box or case so that dust does not get inside the case. Dust, mixed with residual humidity, can create conductive tracks on the control board, which will lead to a short circuit on the next turn on.