How to Clean Your Water Cooler

Cleaning your water cooler is critical to maintain the health and quality of both your cooler and your drinking water. 

Cleaning your water cooler every 3 to 6 months is the best way to prolong the life of your cooler while delivering fresh, bacteria-free water.   Fortunately, it’s easy to sanitize your water cooler at home with relative ease. 

Watch our video for Step-by-Step instructions!

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Follow along with our step-by-step guide to clean and disinfect your top or bottom-loading water cooler.

Prepare your space with your necessary tools.

• Cooler cleaner – We suggest the H20k Cooler Cleaning Kit

• Microfiber Cloths - For exterior

• Lint-free cloths or paper towel - For interior

• Bucket and/or smaller cup or bowl

• Straw cleaning or other small brush (optional)

• Rubber gloves (optional)

TOP LOAD WATER COOLER

1. Turn off and Unplug Cooler.

If it’s a HOT Water cooler: Switch off HOT switch BEFORE unplugging.

 Note: For various reasons you may choose to not unplug your water cooler. If you keep your cooler plugged in please use caution while cleaning your cooler.

2. Remove empty water bottle.

It is easiest to begin cleaning your cooler between bottle changes. If you have a full bottle on your cooler remove it slowly to avoid spilling water.

3. Drain water from the cooler taps for "cold and room temperature" coolers - drain hot water on "hot & cold" coolers.

Hot water drain is located at the back of the cooler.  Look for a screw cap or a cover to remove near the bottom of your cooler.  Use caution.  Water will be hot.  Have a cloth and bucket prepared. 

4. Remove No Spill Guard, Dry Guard, and/or Baffle (if applicable).

5. Wipe out the inside of the reservoir with a lint free cloth or paper towel to remove any biofilm or other contaminants.

Biofilm is a natural and commonly occurring bacteria that attaches to surfaces by excreting a substance that can be described as a slimy, sticky, or sugary substance. This creates an excellent breading ground for more harmful bacteria to thrive in your cooler. If biofilm builds up enough you can even end up with a slippery slimy not so pleasant surprise in your cup!

6.Pour the contents of H20K directly into the reservoir.

7. Fill the reservoir with potable water and wait for 15 minutes.

 Use this time to clean the outside of your machine with a clean cloth and the gentle cleaner of your choice.  Don’t miss the drip tray.

8. Drain reservoir from the cooler taps on "cold and room temperature" coolers - drain hot water on "hot & cold" coolers.  - Drain for HOT is located at back of cooler.

9. Wipe and rinse out the reservoir with clean water.

Repeat 'Step 5' is there is visible debris still present in the reservoir. Rinse until clean.

10. Clean your taps. (Optional)

Use a small brush or cloth to clean around the spouts, as this area tends to accumulate grime and water deposits. Use a straw cleaning brush and/or pipe cleaner to clean inside your spouts.

Note: Some coolers allow you to unscrew the tops of your taps. Removing the tops of your taps can make cleaning easier. However, if not properly realigned after removal leaking can occur. We do not suggest completely removing your taps as this could cause leaking.

10. Replace baffle, No Spill attachment and/or top of water cooler.

11. Place a full water bottle on the water dispenser.

12. Drain two (2) cups of water from each faucet and discard. (Optional)

13. The water dispenser is now clean. 

14. Plug in the cooler.

Drain water out of the HOT water tap BEFORE switching back on the element switch.

BOTTOM LOAD WATER COOLER

1. Drain water from the cooler taps for "cold and room temperature" coolers - drain hot water on "hot & cold" coolers.

Hot water drain is located at the back of the cooler.  Look for a screw cap or a cover to remove near the bottom of your cooler.  Use caution.  Water will be hot.  Have a cloth and bucket prepared.

Switch off HOT switch.

2. Pour the contents of H20K directly into an empty bottle or bucket.  Add enough potable water to fill your coolers reservoir.

3. Draw water up though your taps.  This will allow the water to enter your reservoir and lines. Wait 15 minutes.

4. Clean the outside of your machine with a clean cloth and the gentle cleaner of your choice.  Don’t miss the drip tray.

5. Drain reservoir from the cooler taps on "cold and room temperature" coolers - drain hot water on "hot & cold" coolers.  - Drain for HOT is located at back of cooler.

6. Clean your taps.

Use a small brush or cloth to clean around the spouts, as this area tends to accumulate grime and water deposits. Use a straw cleaning brush and/or pipe cleaner to clean inside your spouts.

Note: Some coolers allow you to unscrew the tops of your taps. Removing the tops of your taps can make cleaning easier. However, if not properly realigned after removal leaking can occur. We do not suggest completely removing your taps as this could cause leaking.

7. Place a full water bottle on the water dispenser.

8. Drain two (2) cups of water from each faucet and discard. (Optional)

If you switched off the HOT switch, turn it back on now.

Do NOT switch ON HOT until you have drawn water though the HOT tap.

Note: Some bottom load cooler have removeable tops and accessible reservoirs while others don’t.  Inspect your cooler and adjust steps to best meet your needs.

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