How to Clean a Primo Water Dispenser
To clean a Primo water dispenser, unplug it, find your model number, and follow the steps in the Primo manual that came with it. The order below covers the jug area, spigots, drip tray and reservoir.
On this page (9 sections)
- Which Primo water dispenser do you have?
- What do you need before you clean a Primo?
- How do you clean a Primo water dispenser, step by step?
- Which cleaner can you use in the reservoir?
- Can you clean a Primo without a cleaner?
- What mistakes should you avoid when you clean a Primo?
- What are the signs your Primo needs cleaning sooner?
- How often should you clean a Primo water dispenser?
- Clean your Primo water dispenser with the right manual
Here is how to clean a Primo water dispenser: unplug it, find your model number, and follow the cleaning steps in the Primo manual that came with it. Primo makes both top-loading and bottom-loading 5-gallon units, and the parts differ between them.
The order below runs from the jug area to the spigots, drip tray and reservoir. Where your manual names a different step, part or cleaner, the manual wins.
If you're still choosing a unit, our best bottom-loading water dispensers roundup and the complete bottom-loading guide compare the main models.
Which Primo water dispenser do you have?
Check the unit and the paperwork that came with it for the model number, then match that number to the right section of your manual. A top-loading Primo and a bottom-loading Primo don't share every part.
Two Primo models show the difference. Model 601380 is a black, hot and cold bottom-loader, and model 601243 is a top-loader with a pet station.
| Part | Bottom-loading 601380 | Top-loading 601243 |
|---|---|---|
| Jug | 5 gallons, loads from the bottom | 3 or 5 gallons, loads from the top |
| Drip tray | Removable, dishwasher-safe, per Primo | Removable, dishwasher-safe, per Primo |
| Extra parts | None named | Removable pet bowl and a bottle holder with a leak guard |
| Reservoirs | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Neither model needs plumbing or tools to set up, so cleaning never involves a water line.
If your Primo is a different model, the manual for that model sets the steps.
What do you need before you clean a Primo?
You need a damp cloth, clean towels, a long brush if you clean your own jug, and the cleaner your manual names. Gather them first so you don't reach for a product the manual doesn't mention.
- A damp cloth for the outside, the spouts and the jug area.
- Clean, dry towels for the parts you take off.
- A long jug brush, if you refill and clean your own jug.
- The cleaner your manual names, covered in the cleaner section below.
- Your manual, open to the cleaning pages.
How do you clean a Primo water dispenser, step by step?
Unplug the unit, clean the jug area, the spigots and the drip tray, then clean the reservoir with the cleaner your manual names. Rinse well, and let every part dry before the dispenser goes back into use.
Unplug the unit and clear the jug area
Unplug the dispenser before you touch anything inside, then take out the empty jug. If your manual asks you to drain the reservoir first, do that before the next step.
Wipe the area where the jug sits with a damp cloth. On the top-loader, wipe the bottle holder and its leak guard too, then dry them.
Hot water can burn, so take care near the hot side while you work.
Clean the spigots and drip tray on your Primo water dispenser
Wipe the spigots, the buttons and the outside with a damp cloth. Look at each spout in good light for film or dried drips.
Wipe around the hot water button and the 2-step child safety lock Primo lists on both models, because fingers touch that area all day.
Then take out the drip tray if your model allows it. Primo says the tray is dishwasher-safe on both models above, but check your manual for your model before it goes in the dishwasher.
If you own the top-loader with the pet station, the pet bowl also comes off. Primo says it's removable and dishwasher-safe, so wash it the way you wash the drip tray and wipe the spot where it attaches.
If you refill your own jug, a long brush reaches the bottom of it, which your hand can't.
Rinse the jug well after brushing, then let it air dry before you refill it.
Rinse, dry and reassemble
Rinse until no cleaner is left, following the rinse steps in your manual. Let every part dry before you put the drip tray back and load a jug.
A part that's still wet can drip onto the base and leave a puddle right after you cleaned.
Slide the drip tray back in, load the jug, then plug the dispenser in again.
Which cleaner can you use in the reservoir?
Use only the cleaner your Primo manual names for the reservoir. Some manuals allow a water cooler cleaner or a mild vinegar solution, so check yours, and never mix two cleaners together.
Cleaner kits like Yadool's follow a no-scrub routine: pour in the cleaner, wait 15 minutes, then rinse. Yadool says its kit works on top and bottom loading coolers and suggests repeating it every 3 months.
Pristine's H2OK is another water cooler cleaner. Read its label in full, and follow your manual if the label and the manual disagree.
Our water cooler cleaning kits guide explains what each type of kit does and which ones to skip.
Can you clean a Primo without a cleaner?
A damp cloth covers the outside and the spouts, and a dishwasher-safe drip tray can go through the dishwasher if your manual agrees. The reservoir is different, so use the cleaner your manual names there.
If your manual doesn't name a cleaner for a part, ask Primo's customer service before you try one.
What mistakes should you avoid when you clean a Primo?
Skip bleach, never mix cleaners, and don't rush the rinse or the drying.
- Don't clean the unit while it's plugged in.
- Skip bleach, even as a quick fix.
- Never mix two cleaners together.
- Don't leave cleaner behind. Rinse until none is left.
- Don't put back a part that's still wet.
- Don't follow another brand's steps, since the parts may not match your Primo.
Keep your manual somewhere dry and easy to find, so you can check it before every deeper clean.
What are the signs your Primo needs cleaning sooner?
Film on the spouts or drip tray, a smell, or a change in taste means it's time to clean before your next planned date. Look for these each time you swap the jug.
Smell, taste and film
If you notice a smell or a taste change, clean the unit with the steps above. If the taste doesn't improve afterward, follow Primo's guidance and ask your local water utility about your tap water.
Film on the spouts or in the drip tray is a sign to clean that area sooner. Use the cleaner your manual names, and rinse until none is left.
Water pooling under the unit
If water collects under the unit, check the drip tray and the base first. Our water cooler leaking guide walks through the usual checks, and it's worth reading before you move the unit.
How often should you clean a Primo water dispenser?
Follow the interval in your Primo manual first, since it can differ by model. If your manual gives none, a common routine is a weekly wipe plus a deeper clean every few months, and busy homes and offices should clean sooner.
Check the drip tray each time you swap the jug, so small drips don't pile up between deeper cleans.
Our how often to clean a water dispenser guide has a full schedule and the signs that call for a deeper clean.
Clean your Primo water dispenser with the right manual
Use your Primo manual's steps whenever they differ from this guide, and fall back on the general order here only when the manual is missing or unclear. If you can't find your manual, contact Primo's customer service before you take the dispenser apart.
For the routine that fits any brand, start with how to clean a water dispenser. If you also have an Avalon cooler, read how to clean an Avalon water dispenser next.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my Primo model number?
Check the unit and the paperwork or manual that came with it for the model number. For example, Primo's bottom-loading hot and cold dispenser is model 601380 and a top-loading pet-station model is 601243, so match your number to the right manual before you start.
Can I use vinegar to clean a Primo water dispenser?
Only if your Primo manual names it, since some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution and others don't. Use only the cleaner your manual lists, never mix two cleaners together, skip bleach, and rinse well so none is left before you refill the jug.
How often should I clean a Primo water dispenser?
Follow the interval in your Primo manual first, since it can differ by model. If your manual gives none, a common routine is a weekly wipe plus a deeper clean every few months, and busy homes and offices should clean sooner than that.
Can you wash the Primo drip tray in the dishwasher?
Primo says the drip tray on its bottom-loading hot and cold dispenser is removable and dishwasher-safe, and it says the same about the top-loading pet-station model. Check your own manual for your model, and let each part dry fully before you put it back.
