How often do you clean your water cooler? Whenever you do it, how sure are you that how you do it is right? In this guide you will learn how to clean bottom loading water dispenser and how often is enough. It is crucial to get it right on both occasions. After all, water is easily contaminated, and the sad part is drinking such water could harm one’s health.
So, without further ado, let’s discuss how to clean bottom loading water dispenser and much more. Read on!
A Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Bottom Loading Water Dispenser
Are you wondering about how to clean bottom loading water dispenser? If yes, do not worry. All you have to do is follow the following steps.
- Unplug the water cooler
Two reasons make it the first step. One is to ensure that an electric shock doesn’t occur, and the other is to create room for cleaning the dispenser. After all, it a common practice to plug the cooler at a corner. Moving it to, let’s say, the middle of the room gives you enough space to clean it quickly and thoroughly.
- Remove the bottle
It is important to note that you can only clean the dispenser once the bottle is empty. If it is empty, remove it. Otherwise, please wait for it to become empty or drain it.
- Drain the reservoir
Remove any water that could be in your cooler. All you have to do is to open the cold tap. If there’s water coming out, tap it with a jug or a pitcher. After all, the water is safe for drinking.
- Fill the bottle with the cleaning solution
The next step on how to clean the bottom loading water dispenser is actual cleaning. Add your cleaning solution to your empty bottle. You can make the cleaning solution using bleach or vinegar. The bleach should be unscented, whereas the vinegar should be preferably white. Regardless of your choice, the steps are no different.
- Load the bottle on the dispenser
This process is no different from what you do when dealing with normal clean water. Upon installing it, give it time to fill the tank with the solution. Then, leave the solution inside the tank for about 10 minutes to clean it thoroughly.
- Drain the tank
Ten minutes are enough to disinfect your dispenser’s tank effectively. Once that time lapses, go ahead and drain the cleaning solution from the tank. Again, it is no different from how you drain the normal water. So, open the taps and let them run until the last drop of the solution is over.
- Rince your water cooler
Take the empty bottle and add clean water and then install it. Let the clean water fill the tank but don’t wait ten minutes this time around. After it is complete, open the taps to drain the water. Repeat it until no traces of vinegar or bleach are in the water. One way to tell if bleach or vinegar is still inside is by smelling the taps’ water.
- Replace parts
Ensure that you only replace those parts, including the bottle, once the reservoir is clean.
- Plug it in
Upon following all the steps of how to clean bottom loading water dispenser, plug it in. After connecting it to its socket, let it run. Don’t drink its water within the first 30 minutes.
- Clean the outside
Since all the other steps were targeting the interior, it is only fair to handle the exterior. While at it, use a soft cloth and the cleaning solution. Dip the former in the latter, and then wipe the surface and even the dip tray. Use a hand rowel to dry it.
How Often Should You Clean Your Water Cooler?
As far as the interior is concerned, manufacturers often recommend 3 to 6 months. The range is because one household may be using the dispenser more than the other. However, the exterior and the controls need to be cleaned more often than that. That’s because people often hold them when operating the cooler leaving germs behind. At the same time, spills on the exterior from glasses and cups occur every day.
The Importance of Cleaning the Water Dispenser
When it comes to cleaning, you have to do it well. Otherwise, there will be no difference between how it is and how it was. Why bother learning how to clean bottom loading water dispenser? One can understand where you are coming from, no doubt. After all, dispensers are well known for dispensing clean water. That’s why they are the source of drinking water in many homes. Other places, including offices and restaurants, are no exception.
It is essential to clean it as much as it dispenses clean water since it operates in a moist environment. Microorganisms, bacteria, and germs thrive in such areas. Therefore, not cleaning it gives them room to grow, only to cause harm in the future. Additionally, dirt accumulates over time. Under such circumstances, something so good is likely to end up doing more harm than good.
Dirty water coolers can harbour various dangerous bacteria. One such bacteria is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. If you have a weak immune system, drinking water with such bacteria leads to infection. Another excellent example of bacteria you can find in a dirty water cooler is the Ralstonia spp. It is the leading cause of infections of the urinary tract. Other bacteria include streptococci and faecal coliform.
Mould and mildew is also a common contaminant, and it has dire consequences to one’s health if consumed. Therefore, the next time you want to omit cleaning it, think about such dangers. You don’t deserve exposure to such contaminants.
Final Words
The article has left no stone unturned on how to clean bottom loading water dispenser. So, if you own one, do not hesitate to follow the guide step by step. Do that after every six weeks to be on the safe side. Keep in mind all the bacteria in a dirty dispenser. That way, you will never stay too long without cleaning since you know what’s at stake if you don’t.
