How to Clean a Water Dispenser, Step by Step
To clean a water dispenser, unplug it, check your manual, then drain, clean, rinse and dry each part in order. Use only the cleaner your manual names, and never mix cleaners or use bleach.
On this page (12 sections)
- Check your manual before you start
- What supplies do you need to clean a water dispenser?
- How do you clean a water dispenser step by step?
- Should you clean the jug too?
- How do you clean the reservoir and the taps?
- How do you dry and restart the unit?
- What should you clean the outside with?
- What mistakes should you avoid?
- How often should you clean a water dispenser?
- Does a bottom-loading unit need different cleaning?
- Do self-cleaning models still need cleaning?
- Clean a water dispenser on your manual's schedule
Here's how to clean a water dispenser: unplug it, check your manual, then drain, clean, rinse and dry each part in order. The steps below work for most 5-gallon jug coolers.
Most water dispensers share the same basic parts: a jug, a reservoir, the taps and a drip tray. Top-loading and bottom-loading models differ mainly in where the jug sits.
If you own a bottom-loader, the bottom-loading water dispensers guide explains the layout, and our bottom-loading cleaning guide covers the cabinet in detail.
Check your manual before you start
Your manual sets the cleaning steps, the cleaner and the schedule for your unit, so read it first. Every brand has its own layout, so treat the steps below as a general guide.
If the manual and this guide disagree, follow the manual. If you've lost it, look for your model number on the maker's website, such as Avalon or Brio.
What to look for in the manual
Look for three things: the cleaning schedule, the cleaner the maker names and any part the manual says to remove. Keep the manual near the unit so you can check it during each clean.
Write down your model number too. Brands often sell several coolers, and the steps can differ from one model to the next.
Brand-specific steps for cleaning a water dispenser
Some brands have their own steps. If you own a Primo, read our Primo cleaning guide, and if you own an Avalon, read the Avalon cleaning guide.
What supplies do you need to clean a water dispenser?
You need a soft cloth, plenty of clean rinse water and only the cleaner your manual names. A long brush helps with the jug, which is covered below.
- Your manual, open to the cleaning section
- Two soft cloths and a dry towel
- A container for any water you drain
- Clean rinse water
- A cleaner your manual names, if it calls for one
- A long brush, if you plan to clean the jug
Skip bleach and harsh household sprays, and use only what your manual names.
Check that your manual allows this type of cleaner before you use it. Our guide to water cooler cleaning kits sorts the options into what to buy and what to skip.
How do you clean a water dispenser step by step?
Unplug the unit, remove the jug, drain the reservoir, clean each part, rinse, dry and restart, in that order. Each step matters, so don't skip one.
- Unplug the unit and check your manual for the cleaning steps it names.
- Remove the jug and set it aside on a clean, dry surface.
- Drain any water left in the reservoir.
- Clean the reservoir with only the cleaner your manual names.
- Clean the taps and spouts, working around each opening.
- Empty and wipe the drip tray.
- Wipe the jug cap area, where the jug connects to the unit.
- Rinse every part well with clean water, until no cleaner is left.
- Let every part dry fully before you close up the unit.
- Put the jug back, and restart the unit the way your manual describes.
Don't rush the rinse. Rinse again if you can still smell the cleaner.
Drain the reservoir first
Follow your manual's method for emptying the reservoir, since some units have a drain and some don't. Keep a container under the spot where the water comes out.
Clean the taps, spouts and drip tray
Wipe around each spout opening with a soft cloth, and use a cotton swab for tight spots. Hot water can burn, so keep the unit unplugged and let it cool before you touch the hot tap.
Slide out the drip tray, empty it and wipe it with a soft cloth and warm water. Dry it before it goes back in.
Wipe the jug cap area
The jug cap area is where drips collect, so wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it. Don't force any part that won't come off, and check your manual if something sticks.
Should you clean the jug too?
Yes, clean the jug whenever you clean the unit, since residue can build up inside it. A long brush with a flexible head is the simplest tool for the bottom of a 5-gallon jug.
Rinse the jug well after brushing, then let it air dry before the next fill. Check the jug's own care instructions for anything it shouldn't touch.
How do you clean the reservoir and the taps?
Use only the cleaner your manual names for the reservoir, and rinse until the water runs clear of it. Taps and spouts need the same care as the reservoir, so clean them in the same session.
IMPRESA says a package of two 8-ounce bottles covers four cleanings. Follow the directions on the bottle, and confirm your manual allows this type of cleaner first.
Some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution, so use only what your manual names. Never mix a vinegar solution with another cleaner.
How do you dry and restart the unit?
Let every part dry fully, then put the jug back, plug the unit in and restart it the way your manual describes. Your manual may tell you to draw some water through each tap before you drink it.
Hot water can burn, so use care at the hot tap the first time you draw water. Some models have lights that show when hot and cold water are ready, such as Brio's 130 Series.
If the unit still smells musty after a clean, repeat the rinse and check your manual. Contact the maker if the smell stays.
What should you clean the outside with?
Wipe the outside with a soft, damp cloth, then dry it, and skip any product your manual doesn't name. Most of the outside needs only fingerprints and splashes removed.
Avoid abrasive pads, since they can scratch the finish. Apply any cleaner to the cloth, not straight onto the unit.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid bleach, mixed cleaners, skipped rinses and any part your manual doesn't show you how to remove.
- Don't use bleach or harsh household sprays.
- Don't mix cleaners.
- Don't skip the rinse.
- Don't force a part that won't come off.
- Don't clean with a product your manual doesn't name.
- Don't restart the unit while parts are still wet.
How often should you clean a water dispenser?
Check your manual for the schedule, and clean sooner if you see buildup in the reservoir or notice a musty smell. Our how often to clean a water dispenser guide covers the timing in more detail.
Yadool and IMPRESA both say to repeat their cleaners every three months. That is the cleaner makers' pace, not a rule for every unit.
Does a bottom-loading unit need different cleaning?
The steps are much the same, but a bottom-loader adds a cabinet and an intake that reaches into the jug. Wipe the cabinet each time you change the jug, and follow your manual for the intake.
For the extra parts, read how to clean a bottom-loading water dispenser.
Do self-cleaning models still need cleaning?
Self-cleaning models still need the steps in your manual, even when the unit runs its own cycle. A cycle helps with some upkeep, but it doesn't remove the rest.
Brio, for one, says its 520 Series has a UV self-cleaning feature you start with a button. Our do self-cleaning water dispensers really work guide covers what the feature does and doesn't replace.
Clean a water dispenser on your manual's schedule
Set a reminder from your manual, then run the full clean in the order above. Between full cleans, wipe the taps and drip tray each time you refill the jug.
If you're unsure which steps apply to your unit, check the manual or contact the maker before you guess.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean a water dispenser step by step?
Unplug the unit, check your manual, then remove the jug and drain the reservoir. Clean the reservoir, taps, spouts, drip tray and jug cap area in that order, rinse well, let everything dry and restart the unit the way your manual describes.
Can you use bleach to clean a water dispenser?
No, skip bleach and harsh household sprays, and use only a cleaner your manual names. Some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution, so check yours first, then rinse well after any cleaner and let the parts dry before you restart the unit.
How often should you clean a water dispenser?
Follow the schedule in your manual, and clean sooner if you see buildup in the reservoir or notice a musty smell. Yadool and IMPRESA both say to repeat their cleaners every three months, which is the cleaner makers' pace, not a rule for every unit.
Can you mix cleaners to clean a water dispenser faster?
No, never mix cleaners, since you can't know how two products will react inside the reservoir. Use one cleaner at a time, rinse well and let the unit dry before you restart it, and ask the maker if you're unsure which product your model needs.
Should you clean the jug when you clean the dispenser?
Yes, clean the jug whenever you clean the unit, and check the jug's own care instructions first. A long brush reaches the bottom of a 5-gallon jug, so rinse well afterward and let it air dry before you refill it.
