How to Clean a Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

If you're using a hot and cold water dispenser, regular cleaning is necessary. The U.S. Department of Energy advises users to clean the dispenser either when changing the bottle or every six weeks, whichever occurs first. Maintaining clean water is the most crucial aspect of keeping the dispenser in good condition. Fortunately, cleaning a water dispenser is quick and easy, requiring only water and bleach or vinegar.

Fill a bucket with about 3.8 liters of water. Whether using bleach or vinegar, this step remains the same. Use a bucket with a handle or any container that's easy to hold. Be cautious to avoid spilling bleach solution outside the bucket, on the floor, or onto your clothes.

Prepare the Bleach Solution. Add one tablespoon of bleach for every 3.8 liters of water. If possible, use unscented bleach to make it easier to eliminate any lingering odors.

Prepare the Vinegar Solution. For this solution, simply mix vinegar and water in a bucket at a 1:3 ratio. Since the bucket already contains 3.8 liters of water, add approximately 1.3 liters of white vinegar. To reduce the vinegar smell, you can add one or two tablespoons of lemon juice after mixing the water and vinegar solution.

Unplug the water dispenser and remove the water bottle. Make sure no electrical devices are plugged into the same socket or near the area where you're cleaning the water dispenser. This precaution is to avoid any water coming into contact with electricity (though the risk is very low).

Soak a sponge in the cleaning solution to clean the interior surfaces of the water dispenser. Let the solution sit for 2-5 minutes (no longer, as it could damage the surfaces), then rinse the dispenser with cold water. Dispose of the used solution in a sink or toilet.

Rinse off any remaining cleaning solution. Fill the reservoir with water, then dispense the water through the cold tap and pour it into a bucket. Repeat this process four times. This will help flush out any lingering bleach or vinegar odor from the reservoir.

Remove and scrub the drip tray. Clean the drip tray and the display (if present) using clean tap water, then reassemble them back into the dispenser. Ensure that these components dry completely to prevent any moisture from remaining in hard-to-reach spaces.

Wash your hands thoroughly, then use a towel to dry the new water bottle. Don't forget to wash your hands before handling the new water bottle.

Open the bottle cap and place the bottle onto the water dispenser. Ensure the bottle is correctly fitted so that it sits securely and snugly in place, allowing air bubbles to rise to the bottom of the bottle.

Check the dispenser’s functionality. Dispense a cup of water from both taps (if applicable). Taste the water to make sure there are no strange flavors.

If necessary, you can replace bleach or vinegar with an appropriate antibacterial cleaner. Soap can sometimes be more effective than vinegar for killing bacteria. However, if you use soap, be sure to rinse the machine multiple times to completely remove any residue.

Do not use a water bottle for more than 30 days. Like any other food product, bottled water can harbor bacteria. While the amount may be small, it can multiply and grow over time. Minimize contact with the spout to avoid contaminating the drinking water of others.