Water dispensers are the perfect solution for the ravaging summer months, offering crisp, cool water throughout the day. With water dispensers available in all shapes and sizes, you can easily find the right fit for your needs. However, many people tend to forget one essential aspect when it comes to dispensers – regular maintenance.
To ensure your dispenser’s longevity and effectiveness, it is necessary to regularly clean and maintain the appliance. If you’re not sure where to start, we have you covered. Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, features an in-depth guide on how to clean a water dispenser.
Why Should You Clean Your Water Dispenser?
Just like any other appliance, water dispensers require regular service for optimal functioning. However, there’s another pressing reason why it should be done regularly, and it’s not pretty. Unclean dispensers are breeding grounds for microbes, giving way to pathogens and contagions to compromise your immune system.
Bacteria can feed on rubber seals and other parts of your dispenser, while some may potentially enter the water bottle while changing. If left for too long, you might even see some bacterial growth in the form of green algae. To maintain a clean environment within your water dispenser, regular sanitisation is a must.
How to Clean a Water Dispenser
The whole cleaning process for water dispensers is quite straightforward, with just a few simple steps. However, the process shall be divided into two parts for your convenience, starting off with making the cleaning solution.
Cleaning Solution
For the cleaning solution, you can either opt for a store-bought solution or make a one yourself. The solution only requires two ingredients, making it affordable and easy to make.
For a bleach solution, simply add 1 tablespoon of bleach to every gallon of water that you use for the cleaning process. It is advised to use unscented bleach since the normal variety can leave a strong odour.
You can also opt for a vinegar solution if bleach is unavailable. Mix one part of undiluted vinegar for every three parts of water and give it a good mix. If the vinegary smell is off-putting for you, add a tablespoon or two of lemon juice.
Both solutions are optimal for disinfecting water dispensers; however, a bleach solution offers much better results.
Cleaning Process
Once your solution is ready, you can move on to the cleaning process. Follow these steps to ensure a clean and well-optimised water dispenser.
Step 1: Unplug the water dispenser – Your first priority should be to ensure your safety. Make sure that the dispenser is unplugged, and that there are no plugged-in appliances nearby.
Step 2: Clean the inner surface of the dispenser – Take a sponge and dip it thoroughly in your cleaning solution and clean the inner surface with it. Leave the solution for 3-5 minutes, but no more than that to avoid any damage to the interiors.
Step 3: Drain the cleaning solution – Drain the solution through the taps into a new container and safely dispose of the waste. If the dispenser has two separate taps, drain the solution through the cool temperature tap.
Step 4: Rinse out the excess solution – To ensure that there is no solution left within the inner area of the dispenser, thoroughly rinse it with clean water. Fill the reservoir and pour it out through the cool temperature tap. Repeat this process four to five times, or until there is no bleach or vinegar odour left.
Step 5: Scrub the outsides – Scrub the dispenser’s body thoroughly, including the drip tray. Completely dry it out, ensuring that no moisture remains on the outsides.
Step 6: Place a new bottle – Once the cleaning is done, wash your hands and place a new, clean bottle on the water dispenser.
Step 7: Check the water’s taste – Try the water from both taps to ensure that there is no vinegar or bleach odour left. This will indicate that your water dispenser has been thoroughly cleaned and is now ready to be used.
How Often Should You Clean Your Water Dispenser
Now that you know how to clean a water dispenser, it is essential to understand when it should be cleaned. Bacteria can build up within your dispenser quickly, but that certainly does not mean you should clean it every day, at least not from the inside.
A general rule of thumb is to clean your dispenser every month, either with a store-bought solution or bleach/vinegar homemade ones. However, a thorough deep cleaning service is necessary after every six months. You should contact your service provider every six months for thorough maintenance since most companies offer a comprehensive service package for water dispensers.
Water dispensers are life-savers during the hot summer months, providing relief with cool, refreshing water. However, the very same dispensers can turn into a health hazard if left unkept. Follow this in-depth guide on how to clean a water dispenser to ensure a clean and fresh supply of water.
For more information, visit Graana.com – Pakistan’s first online real estate marketplace.
