A water cooler is one of the most important things at your home or office, which keeps you hydrated and makes sure that you always have fresh water to quench your thirst or hot water for the tea. To enjoy all the benefits of the water provided by your water cooler or dispenser, it is important to keep it clean and hygienic. 

To make your water cooler long-lasting, it is important to clean it regularly. It would be best to clean your dispenser every time you change the water bottle. To maintain the consistency of the cleaning process, set up a reminder in your calendar to clean your water cooler every two or three months. 

Before Cleaning your Water Cooler

Before hopping on cleaning your water cooler, it is important to decide what method you are going to use in the process. According to experts, water filtration systems can be disinfected through bleaching or using white vinegar. Both ways are the safest and easiest ways to eliminate any mold accumulated in your water cooler.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clean a Top-Loading Water Cooler

Cleaning a top-loading water filtration is one of the easiest jobs that you can do to enjoy the benefits of pure water. Firstly, you need to choose one of the ways you will clean your water dispenser. 

• Use Unscented Bleach

It would be best if you had a mild bleaching solution to disinfect your water cooler. You can make the product at your home by mixing one gallon of tap water with one tablespoon of unscented bleach. Please make sure not to spill the solution on your clothes and wear rubber gloves while cleaning the machine with this solution. 

• Cleaning with a Vinegar Solution

If you are not comfortable with the method mentioned above, you can also use plain white vinegar to clean out your dispenser. To make the vinegar solution, take one-quarter of vinegar into a bucket and mix it up with three-quarters of lukewarm water. 

After choosing your cleaning solution, please follow the steps given below to clean out your water filtration system. 

Step-1 Unplug the Plug

It is the most important step which is often ignored by many people while cleaning the machine. Before start cleaning, please make sure that you have to unplug the plug from the electrical outlet. It will help you avoid tripping over the wire while moving around the machine and saving you from electrical shocks. 

Step-2 Take out the Water Bottle

Now, remove the water bottle from your water dispenser and see whether the dirt is accumulated on the bottle holder or not. If you found the accumulated dirt, wipe it away with a paper towel. In case you witnessed the stubborn spots, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water in an optimum amount. 

Use this paste as a mild cleaner and wipe away the tough spots by scrubbing them with a scrub brush. For cleaning the overall place where the water bottle meets the dispenser, take a clean sponge, dip it into the cleaning solution, and wipe down the area to get a disinfected surface. 

Step-3 Remove the Water Guard

If your water cooler comes with a guard that punctures the water bottle for you when installing it on your machine. Consider removing it and place it under the running tap, then wipe it up with your disinfectant. Now, keep it aside to let it dry. 

Step-4 Clean the Drip Guard

If your water dispenser has a tray or drip guard, remove it from the machine. Now, place it under the running tap and wipe it down with your cleaning solution. If this tray has tough stains, use your baking soda paste to remove them. 

Step-5 Disinfect the Reservoir 

After cleaning the drip guard, use your remaining cleaning solution to clean the reservoir. To clean it, all you have to do is pour the solution into your machine’s reservoir and leave it for three to five minutes to settle it down. 

Step-6 Rinse the Reservoir

Now, pour two gallons of water into the reservoir and let it drain. Once it is empty, put another gallon of water and taste it. If you can taste or smell the bleaching or vinegar solution, put another two gallons of water, let it drain, and taste. 

Step-7 Replace Parts and Plugin New Bottle

Once you are satisfied with your water’s taste, fix all the removed parts and add a new water bottle into your water dispenser. 

The Bottom LineBy following the seven steps given above, you can easily clean your water cooler. Please keep a note that if you don’t know how to remove and fix all the parts, you can also take the help of professionals to keep your water cooler clean and hygienic.