Having a water dispenser means that you have to clean it regularly to avoid ingesting any nasty bacteria.
Keeping it clean also helps maintain your dispenser, improving its longevity and making sure it stays in perfect working condition.
Thankfully, cleaning your water dispenser is easy! To help you clean yours, we’ve created this guide. Read on to find out exactly how to clean your water dispenser in the best way possible.
Equipment And Materials
First, you should gather your materials. You’re likely to find these items around your home or at your local store.
- Buckets
- Sponge
- Rubber gloves
- Vacuum
- Microfiber towel
- Chlorine bleach
- Dishwashing liquid
- Distilled white vinegar
How To Clean A Water Dispenser
1. Take A Look At Your Manual
Read the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for the cooler before you start cleaning it.
Most manuals are available online if you misplaced or threw away the original.
2. Unplug The Dispenser And Remove The Bottle
Cut off the cooler's electrical connections. After removing the bottle, let five minutes pass so that any remaining water can drain from the working parts.
Unplug any other devices that are plugged into the same outlet to avoid the cleaning solutions coming into contact with live electricity accidentally.
3. Mix Cleaning Solution
You can make a cleaning solution with distilled white vinegar and water or liquid chlorine bleach and water. Never combine vinegar with bleach since the result is a deadly gas.
Compared to distilled white vinegar, chlorine bleach is far more effective at killing bacteria.
The vinegar solution, which will aid in dissolving hard water minerals that sometimes persist in filtered tap water, may even be advantageous if you're using a filtered water dispenser.
To make a chlorine bleach solution, pour one gallon of water into a bucket and add one tablespoon of chlorine bleach, then mix well.
To make a distilled white vinegar solution, pour one gallon of water into a bucket and pour in five and one third cups of distilled white vinegar, then mix well.
4. Clean The Bottle Collar And Top Of Your Dispenser
The bottle collar and dispenser top should be thoroughly cleaned with a sponge soaked in the cleaning solution.
5. Pour In The Cleaning Solution
Two to three cups of the solution should be added to the water tank. Allowing it to stand for ten minutes will help to disinfect the inside.
While you wait, you can proceed to the next step.
6. Clean The Drip Tray
Clean the drip tray while the cleaning solution is sitting in the reservoir.
If the tray is removable, remove it to the sink and wipe the grill and tray clean of any residue using a small amount of dishwashing liquid. Dry with a microfiber towel after thorough rinsing.
If the tray cannot be removed, thoroughly dry it after cleaning it with the vinegar or bleach cleaning solution.
7. Drain And Flush
Drain the cleaning solution into a bucket and properly dispose of it after ten minutes have passed. The solution can be flushed down the toilet or poured into a sink.
To remove any remaining solution, fill the reservoir with new water and drain it once more. Repeat at least twice.
8. Clean The Air Flow Vents
Look for a buildup of excessive dust in the cooler's back air vents. Similar to dust on refrigerator vents (see also 'How To Clean Refrigerator Coils'), too much dust makes the cooling systems work harder and wears down the system.
To get rid of the dust, use a vacuum with a hose-mounted dusting attachment or a disposable duster.
9. Replace With A New Bottle
Reconnect the cooler's electrical outlet after replacing the new water bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Clean My Water Dispenser?
Whatever sort of water dispenser you choose, keep in mind that they all need to be cleaned frequently.
Even self-cleaning ones require routine upkeep to prevent the growth of bacteria and remove mineral deposits from the interior working parts.
In order to eliminate fingerprints and microorganisms from hands that have touched the controls, the outside also requires routine cleaning. When changing the water bottle, maintenance can be completed quickly and easily.
Depending on how frequently it is used, the majority of manufacturers advise cleaning a water cooler every three to six months.
Cleaning the cooler's exterior and controls more frequently will help to get rid of bacteria that people's hands and liquid splashed from cups and glasses leave behind.
How Do I Keep My Water Dispenser Cleaner For Longer?
Use the vinegar-water solution and take a moment to do the following actions when it's time to replace the water bottle, having first removed the empty one from the cooler.
- Wipe the neck, shoulder, and opening of the new bottle before placing it in the water cooler.
- Clean the valves, dispensing lever, and surrounding area.
- To keep the drip tray clean and mold-free, drain and wipe it at least once every week.
What Are The Different Types Of Water Dispensers?
There are three basic types of water dispensers that are often used in the home:
- Bottom-loading models - A pump pulls water out of the water jug that is positioned in the cooler's bottom. Compared to top-loading variants, these are easier to load with a full water jug.
- Top-loading models - Water is distributed by gravity from the upside-down water jug that is perched atop the cooler.
- Filtered water dispensers - A water line is plugged directly into the dispenser where the water is filtered before being supplied, eliminating the need for jugs. Municipal water is less expensive than buying bottled water, therefore even though it is more expensive to purchase and install, operational costs are lower.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to clean your water dispenser, you’ll be able to enjoy crisp, clean water every day!
With regular cleaning and maintenance, your water dispenser will supply your home with fresh water for years to come.