7 Step Method For How To Clean A Water Cooler - Oh So Spotless

If you’ve noticed your water cooler looks a bit grimey or the water tastes slightly “off,” it is definitely time for a cleaning session. Neglecting your water dispenser allows microfibers, germs, and even mold to set up shop in the reservoir, making your drinking water unsafe (1).

The good news? You can knock this task out quickly. Our seven-step method takes about 15 minutes. Whether you have a countertop model, a bottom-loader, or a classic top-loader, we have the steps you need to get things sparkling again.

Stick to this routine, and you will enjoy fresher, safer hydration all year long.

Key Takeaways

• Regular maintenance: Unplug the unit, drain all water, and remove plastic components (like the drip tray) for washing.
• The solution: Mix a cleaning solution using a 1:3 ratio of distilled white vinegar to water.
• Rinse well: Flush the reservoir with plain water at least three times to remove any lingering vinegar taste.
• Sanitize: Deep clean with a weak bleach solution 2-3 times a year, ensuring you rinse thoroughly to remove residue.

In This Article

• Cleaning Checklist
• Cleaning Frequency
• Cleaning: Top-Loading
• Cleaning: Bottom-Loading
• Sanitizing (Deep Clean)
• Maintenance Tips
• FAQs
• Clean and Cool

Water Cooler Cleaning Checklist

Need the quick version? Here is the snapshot of how to clean and sanitize your water cooler today:

• Prep the area: Unplug the dispenser, remove the empty bottle, and drain any remaining water into a bucket.
• Wash removable parts: Take off the drip tray, baffle, and water guard. Wash these in the dishwasher (if safe) or scrub them with hot, soapy water.
• Mix your cleaner: Create a solution using one part distilled white vinegar to three parts water.
• Scrub the reservoir: Pour the vinegar solution into the reservoir. Scrub the interior surfaces, let it sit for two minutes, then drain.
• Rinse thoroughly: Pour plain water through the reservoir and drain it out. Do this three times.
• Sanitize (seasonal): For a deeper clean, mix one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Let it sit in the reservoir for two minutes, then drain.
• Flush the bleach: Pour plain water through the system and drain it five times to ensure no chemical residue remains.
• Finish up: Reassemble the dry parts, load a new bottle, plug it in, and wipe down the exterior.

Expert Advice

Never use bleach on stainless steel reservoirs. Bleach can corrode the metal and permanently damage your appliance (2).

How Often Should You Clean a Water Cooler?

Ideally, you should clean your water cooler every time you change the bottle. If that feels like too much, aim for at least every six weeks (3).

Frequent cleaning prevents biofilm and bacterial buildup. Since this is a high-touch appliance people drink from daily, hygiene is non-negotiable.

For a deep sanitization (using the bleach method), aim for 2-3 times a year.

How to Clean a Top-Loading Water Cooler

This is the most common type of cooler. We will cover cleaning the inside, the outside, and the plastic components.

This method skips harsh chemicals in favor of distilled white vinegar. It is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and great at cutting through grime.

• Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

What You’ll Need:

• Dishwasher (optional)
• Bucket or basin
• Large pouring jug
• Hot water
• Dish soap
• Distilled white vinegar
• Scrubbing brush
• Microfiber cloth
• Multi-purpose spray

1. Prep the Unit

Start by unplugging the cooler to ensure safety. Remove the empty water bottle and set it aside. Drain any excess water from the cooler taps into a basin or pitcher, then dump that water down the sink or toilet.

2. Wash the Plastic Parts

Take off the removable plastic bits, including the drip tray, baffle, and water guard. Check your manual to see if they are dishwasher safe.

If you are hand-washing, soak the parts in hot, soapy water for about 20 minutes. Scrub away any grime with a brush or cloth, rinse them, and lay them flat on a towel to air dry.

3. Mix the Vinegar Solution

Grab a large pitcher or jug. Combine distilled white vinegar and water at a 1:3 ratio. This mild acid will break down mineral deposits and kill bacteria.

4. Clean the Reservoir

Pour your vinegar mixture into the reservoir. Use a clean scrubbing brush to scrub the interior walls. Let the solution sit for about two minutes to disinfect, then drain it out through the cooler taps into a bucket.

5. Rinse the System

You don’t want your water tasting like salad dressing. Pour clear water into the reservoir and drain it out through the taps. Repeat this rinse cycle three times to flush out all traces of vinegar.

6. Reassemble

Once the plastic parts are dry, snap them back onto the cooler. Place a new water bottle on top and plug the machine back in.

7. Wipe the Exterior

Spray a microfiber cloth with your favorite multi-purpose cleaner. Wipe down the outside of the unit, paying special attention to the taps and the area where the bottle sits.

How to Clean a Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser

Bottom-loading coolers are convenient because you don’t have to lift heavy jugs, but the cleaning process is slightly different since gravity doesn’t do all the work for you.

• Time: 25 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

What You’ll Need:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Water
• Funnel (optional)
• Two microfiber cloths
• Multi-purpose spray
• Basin or jug

1. Prep the Machine

Unplug the unit. Slide the bottom door open and remove the water bottle. Drain any remaining water from the reservoir into a jug and discard it.

2. Mix and Insert Cleaner

You will need a container to hold your cleaning solution. An empty 5-gallon water jug works best, but a clean pitcher works too. Mix the 1:3 vinegar-to-water ratio. You don’t need to fill a whole 5-gallon jug; just enough to circulate through the system (about a gallon total is usually plenty).

Place the suction tube into your solution container and slide it into the bottom of the cooler.

Alternative Step

Out of vinegar? You can use baking soda. Mix a half-cup of baking soda with a gallon of water and follow the same steps.

3. Cycle the Solution

Plug the machine in briefly to let the pump pull the cleaning solution up into the reservoir. Let it sit for a few minutes. Unplug the machine again, then drain the solution out through the taps into a bucket.

4. Rinse the Lines

Fill your container with plain tap water (about a gallon). Put the suction tube back in and plug the machine in to pump the clean water through the lines. Drain this water out through the taps. Repeat this step until the water smells clean and neutral.

5. Clean the Exterior

While the parts dry, spray a microfiber cloth with cleaner and wipe down the cabinet. Remove the drip tray, this area catches spills and can get nasty quickly, and give it a thorough scrub in the sink.

6. Dry and Restart

Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the exterior. Install a fresh water bottle, plug the unit back in, and you are hydrated and happy.

How to Sanitize a Water Cooler (Deep Clean)

Vinegar is great for regular maintenance, but sometimes you need to bring out the big guns. If you have neglected the cooler for months, or if you bought a used one, sanitize it with bleach.

Safety Note: Bleach is corrosive. Wear gloves and eye protection, and ensure you rinse the system thoroughly to avoid ingesting chemicals.

• Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

Did You Know?

Bleach is the most effective way to kill mold and mildew. If you see visible dark spots or slime, skip the vinegar and go straight to this method.

What You’ll Need:

• Dishwasher (optional)
• Bucket or basin
• Large pouring jug
• Hot water
• Dish soap
• Bleach (unscented)
• Scrubbing brush
• Microfiber cloth
• Multi-purpose spray
• Gloves and goggles

1. Prepare the Cooler

Unplug the machine and remove the water bottle. Drain the reservoir completely through the taps.

2. Wash Removable Parts

Take off the plastic guards and drip trays. Wash them in hot, soapy water or the dishwasher. Let them air dry while you tackle the main unit.

3. Mix the Bleach Solution

Put on your gloves. In a bucket, mix one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Do not use undiluted bleach; it is too harsh for the plastic components.

4. Fill and Scrub

Pour the bleach solution into the reservoir. Scrub the interior surfaces with a clean brush. Let the solution sit for no more than two to five minutes. Any longer could damage the seals. Drain the solution through the taps into a bucket and flush it down the toilet.

5. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse

This is the most critical step. Pour plain water into the reservoir and drain it through the taps. Repeat this process at least five times. You must ensure absolutely no bleach residue remains. Smelling the water is a good test; if it smells like a pool, rinse again.

6. Reassemble

Put the clean plastic parts back on. Load a fresh bottle of water and plug the machine in.

7. Final Wipe Down

Use antibacterial wipes or a spray to clean the exterior, focusing on the taps and handles where hands touch the most.

Water Cooler Maintenance Tips

To keep your water tasting crisp and your machine running smoothly for years, follow these maintenance habits:

• Dust the coils: The wire grid on the back of the cooler (the condenser coils) collects dust, which forces the motor to work harder. Once a year, unplug the unit and vacuum these coils with a brush attachment.
• Check the drip tray: This tray is a breeding ground for bacteria. Empty and wash it weekly, even if you aren’t doing a full cooler clean.
• Change filters: If your unit uses filtration, change the filters every six months. Old filters can actually harbor bacteria and make water quality worse.
• Vacuum the interior: If you can access the inner cabinet, use a vacuum to remove dust and spiderwebs from the wiring and motor area.
• Skip the oil: Do not try to lubricate the compressor. It is a sealed system and doesn’t need it.
• Power down: If you run out of water and can’t replace the bottle immediately, unplug the cooler. Running the heating or cooling elements without water can damage the internal tank.

FAQs

How Long Does a Water Cooler Last?

With proper maintenance, a good quality water cooler can last about five years. Commercial-grade options may last even longer. However, if you neglect cleaning and let dust build up on the coils, the motor may burn out in as little as a year.

Does Mold Grow In Water Coolers?

Yes, mold thrives in damp environments. If you see dark spots or green slime in the reservoir or on the baffle, you have mold. Regular deep cleaning with a bleach solution is the best way to combat mold and keep your water safe.

Can a Water Cooler Make You Sick?

Yes, a dirty water cooler can cause illness. Even if the water inside the bottle is pure, bacteria from dirty hands can contaminate the taps and reservoir (4). Common contaminants include E. coli and Legionella, which can cause respiratory issues like Pontiac fever.

Will Cleaning the Dispenser Improve the Taste?

Absolutely. A “plastic” or earthy taste usually indicates biofilm or mineral buildup in the reservoir. A deep clean with vinegar strips this buildup away, returning your water to a neutral, fresh taste.

What Do I Do If My Water Cooler Is Leaking?

First, check the bottle. Micro-cracks in the plastic jug are the most common cause of leaks; air enters the crack and water flows out the bottom. Remove the bottle; if the leak stops, the bottle was the culprit. If the leak comes from the taps, try tightening the top cap of the tap assembly. If it leaks from the bottom of the machine, unplug it immediately and contact the manufacturer.

What Is a Self-Cleaning Water Dispenser?

A self-cleaning dispenser uses ozone or UV light technology to automatically sanitize the lines and reservoir. This reduces the need for manual scrubbing, though you still need to wipe down the exterior and clean the drip tray manually.

How Do I Get Rid of the Vinegar Taste After Cleaning?

If your water tastes like vinegar after cleaning, you didn’t rinse it enough. Drain the reservoir completely and flush it with clean water at least two or three more times. You can also mix a tablespoon of baking soda into a gallon of water and flush that through to neutralize the acid, followed by a final plain water rinse.

Clean and Cool

Now that your water cooler is sparkling clean, you can trust that every sip is free of bacteria, mold, and weird aftertastes. It looks better, tastes better, and is safer for everyone in the house or office.

Remember: Vinegar is your best friend for regular maintenance, but reach for the bleach (cautiously) if you need to kill mold.

Try to wipe down the nozzle area every time you swap a bottle, and do a full flush every six weeks. Stay hydrated!

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