Every equipment demands a regular service or cleaning at periodic intervals for a long lasting performance. Water coolers are also no exception . Water cooler is a common way for offering a clean water in offices, homes and every public or private places. To enjoy a good health and obtain germ free clean water, it is essential to clean the water cooler with every change of bottle or in every six weeks, whichever occurs first. Cleaning of your water cooler is an easy and quick process, if done on a regular basis. Here are some easy tips and instructions that will help you clean your bottled water cooler.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 30-35 minutes
Resources Required:
- Clean rubber gloves
- Sponge or scrub brush
- Water
- Lint-free towel
- Clean container that can hold a gallon or two
- A bit of unscented household bleach
Instructions:
1. Unplug the water cooler
- Disconnect the water cooler power cord from outlet.
- Clean the cooler exterior with hot water and mild soap. Dry up with paper towels.
2. Take out the empty bottles and water guard
- Remove the water bottle from your cooler. The most convenient time to have this processes of cleaning is when the bottle is empty.
- Drain away the remaining water from the reservoir through the faucet into a bucket.
- Remove the water guard from your cooler along with the baffle inside the reservoir.
- Wash these with mild dish soap and water. After a rinse with clean water, keep it aside.
3. Prh solutionepare a bleac
Prepare a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water. Do not use any more than that! Put on your clean rubber gloves and dip a clean, lint-free towel or sponge into the bleach solution, wringing out the excess liquid. Now, take that towel and thoroughly clean all of interior surfaces of the reservoir. If there are any additional removable parts in the interior, remove them also and clean either in the bleach solution or with a mild dish detergent and replace. Let that sanitizing solution stay in the cooler for about 5 minutes.
4. Drain out the water through faucets
- Sanitize the spill-free top and baffle by wiping them down with the towel or sponge containing sanitizing solution. Allow it to sit for at least 3 minutes and then rinse profusely with clean bottled water. Drain the water by emptying it through the faucets into a bucket. This allows the faucets also to be disinfected.
- Rinse by filling the interior reservoir with clean water and emptying it through the faucets again and again at least four times or more so that the water no longer contains a bleach taste.
5. Cleaning of tray
- Remove the drip tray and screen.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water and replace on the unit.
- Now prepare the new water bottle to be inserted into the cooler. Put on your clean rubber gloves again and wipe the top of the new water bottle with the bleach solution.
- Insert it into the cooler and let the reservoir fill.
- Use paper towels and the bleach solution to wipe the exterior of the cooler along with the faucets.
- Finally, plug the cooler back in and allow about 30 minutes for it to bring the water back to the desired temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I clean my water cooler with vinegar?
Use about 3 cups of vinegar, but let it sit for an hour or two before flushing it out. Continue the flushing until you no longer smell the vinegar in the water. Do flush through both spouts, but never think to unplug it!
Quick Tips:
- Periodically remove the dirt from the black wire and tube condenser on the back of the cooler.
- Always disconnect the power supply cord, then clean with the small brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. Observance of this procedure will ensure adequate air circulation so that the operation is efficient and economical.
Things To Watch Out For:
- It’s always helpful to designate an individual in the office or at home who is responsible for cleaning the water cooler on a regular basis.
- Never assume that a bottled water cooler is clean and/or disinfected
- Be cautious not to get the air filter wet during the cleaning process.
- Make it a habit of washing hands before using a water cooler; keep hands, glasses, cups, sports bottles, and other containers out of contact with the water cooler’s spigots as it is a prime way to spread germs.
