Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser Cleaning, Step by Step
Cleaning a bottom-loading water dispenser starts with unplugging it and checking your manual, then working through the cabinet, intake, drip tray and reservoir in order. Use only the cleaner your manual names.
On this page (11 sections)
- What makes a bottom-loader different when you clean it?
- What do you need before you start?
- How do you clean a bottom-loading water dispenser step by step?
- How do you clean the cabinet and drip tray?
- How do you clean the intake that reaches into the jug?
- How do you clean the reservoir, spigots and taps?
- Which brushes and cleaning kits fit a bottom-loader?
- Does a self-cleaning bottom-loader cut the work?
- How often should a bottom-loader get a full clean?
- Which mistakes should you avoid with a bottom-loader?
- Cleaning a bottom-loading water dispenser on schedule
Cleaning a bottom-loading water dispenser starts the same way as any other unit: unplug it and check your manual. The difference is the cabinet and the part that reaches into the jug.
This guide covers only what's different about bottom-loaders. For the steps that apply to every unit, read our how to clean a water dispenser guide first.
If you're still choosing a model, the bottom-loading water dispensers guide explains how the design works.
What makes a bottom-loader different when you clean it?
A bottom-loader keeps the jug in a cabinet, and a part reaches into the jug from below. The cabinet and that part both need attention when you clean.
The jug sits low, so drips and spills land in the cabinet, where you'll need to wipe them. For how the parts fit together, see how a bottom-loading water dispenser works.
Cabinet cleaning for a bottom-loading water dispenser
Wipe the cabinet floor and walls each time you change the jug, using a soft cloth. Check the area for drips before you slide in a full jug.
The part that reaches into the jug
Bottom-loaders draw water from a jug below, through a part that reaches into it. Its shape and removal steps depend on the brand, so follow your manual.
On the Brio 130 Series, Brio says you connect the jug and then slide it into the cabinet. Follow your manual for how your model connects and disconnects the jug.
What do you need before you start?
You need your manual, a few soft cloths, a dry spot for the jug and only the cleaner your manual names. A long brush helps if you plan to clean the jug too.
- Your manual, open to the cleaning section
- Two soft cloths and a dry towel
- A dry surface for the jug
- A cleaner your manual names, if it calls for one
- A long brush for the jug
Skip bleach and harsh household sprays. Never mix cleaners.
How do you clean a bottom-loading water dispenser step by step?
Unplug the unit, take out the jug, clean the cabinet, drip tray, intake and reservoir, rinse, dry and restart, in that order. The numbered steps below follow that order.
- Unplug the unit and check your manual for the cleaning steps and the cleaner it names.
- Take the jug out the way your manual describes, and set it on a dry surface.
- Wipe the cabinet floor and walls with a soft cloth.
- Empty the drip tray, rinse it and wipe it dry.
- Check the part that reaches into the jug, and remove it only if your manual shows how.
- Drain the reservoir.
- Clean the reservoir with only the cleaner your manual names.
- Clean the spigots and taps, working around each opening.
- Rinse every part with clean water until no cleaner is left.
- Let everything dry fully, including the cabinet and the intake.
- Put the jug back and restart the unit the way your manual describes.
Hot water can burn, so let the unit cool before you touch the hot tap.
How do you clean the cabinet and drip tray?
Unplug the unit, then wipe the cabinet and drip tray with a soft cloth before you refill. This is the quickest part of the job, and it keeps buildup from spreading to the rest of the unit.
Empty the jug and set it aside on a dry surface before you start, so water stays off the floor while you work.
Empty the drip tray and rinse it, following your manual for how it comes out. Skip bleach and harsh household sprays on the cabinet.
Check the corners and the floor of the cabinet
Drips settle in the corners and along the floor of the cabinet, where a cloth can miss them. Run the cloth along every edge, then dry the area before the jug goes back in.
If water keeps collecting in the cabinet after you've wiped it, see our water cooler leaking guide.
How do you clean the intake that reaches into the jug?
Follow your manual to see whether the intake comes out, then rinse it and let it dry fully before the next jug goes in.
Remove only what the manual shows
Some intakes come out for cleaning and some don't. Only remove a part if your manual shows you how.
Let it dry before the jug goes back
Water left in the intake can drip into the cabinet, so let it dry fully before you put the jug back.
What to do if it doesn't come out
Wipe the visible outside of the part with a damp cloth, and leave the rest to the care steps in your manual. Contact the maker if you think the part needs more than that.
How do you clean the reservoir, spigots and taps?
Drain the reservoir, clean it with a cleaner your manual names, and rinse until no cleaner is left. Check the spigots at each full clean, since they see the most use.
Confirm your manual allows that cleaner before you use it. Some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution, so use only what your manual names.
Wipe around each spigot opening with a soft cloth, and use a cotton swab for tight spots. Rinse the cloth often so you're not spreading old residue.
Which brushes and cleaning kits fit a bottom-loader?
A long brush helps inside the jug, and a cleaning kit can help the reservoir if your manual allows its cleaner. Choose the tool that matches the job, not the one with the most parts.
A long handle matters for the bottom of a 5-gallon jug, where a short brush can't reach. Rinse the jug well after brushing, and check the jug's own care instructions for anything it shouldn't touch.
Confirm your manual allows the kit's cleaner before you use it. Our guide to water cooler cleaning kits sorts what to buy from what to skip.
Does a self-cleaning bottom-loader cut the work?
A self-cleaning model can take on some upkeep, but your manual still sets the care steps for the cabinet, intake and drip tray. Brio says its 520 Series has a UV self-cleaning feature that starts with a button press.
The 520 Series comes with a manual and a care guide, so start there for the cleaning steps.
Even with a cycle, plan on the manual's regular steps for the cabinet and drip tray. Our best bottom-loading water dispensers roundup compares models if you're weighing self-cleaning against manual upkeep.
How often should a bottom-loader get a full clean?
Check your manual's schedule, and clean sooner if the cabinet smells musty or the drip tray keeps filling. A schedule you can keep beats a deep clean you skip.
Our how often to clean a water dispenser guide covers timing for any unit. Between full cleans, empty the drip tray and wipe the cabinet each time you change the jug.
Yadool and IMPRESA both say to repeat their cleaners every three months. That is the cleaner makers' pace, so check it against your own manual.
Which mistakes should you avoid with a bottom-loader?
Avoid forcing the jug, mixing cleaners, skipping the rinse and removing parts your manual doesn't show. Most cleaning trouble starts with one of these shortcuts.
- Don't force the jug out of the cabinet.
- Don't use bleach or harsh household sprays.
- Don't mix cleaners.
- Don't skip the rinse.
- Don't pull out a part that your manual doesn't show.
- Don't put the jug back while the cabinet is still wet.
Cleaning a bottom-loading water dispenser on schedule
Follow your manual's schedule for full cleans, and treat the cabinet, intake and drip tray as regular checks. Start with the cabinet at each jug change, then do a full clean using the steps above.
If you're deciding which bottom-loader to buy, start with our best bottom-loading water dispensers roundup.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to take the jug out to clean a bottom-loader?
Yes, take the jug out so you can reach the cabinet and the drip tray, and follow your manual for how to disconnect it. Keep the jug on a dry surface while you clean, and check it for residue before you refill it.
How do you clean the intake that reaches into the jug?
Follow your manual to see whether the intake comes out, and never force it if the manual doesn't show how. If it does come out, rinse it, clean it with the cleaner your manual names and let it dry fully before the next jug goes in.
Does a self-cleaning bottom-loader still need manual cleaning?
Yes, you still need to follow your manual's steps for the cabinet, intake, drip tray and reservoir. Brio says its 520 Series has a UV self-cleaning feature you start with a button, but treat it as a helper for the regular care steps, not a replacement.
Can I use the same cleaner for a bottom-loader and a top-loader?
Only if your manual names that cleaner for your unit, since IMPRESA says its cleanser works on top- and bottom-loading coolers but your model's manual still decides. Never mix cleaners, rinse well before you restart, and skip any cleaner your manual doesn't name.
How often should I clean the cabinet?
Wipe the cabinet and empty the drip tray each time you change the jug, and run a full clean on your manual's schedule. Clean sooner if the cabinet smells musty, the drip tray keeps filling or you see buildup in the reservoir.
