How to Clean a Water Cooler With Vinegar? 

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to clean your water cooler, vinegar can be a great option. But make sure to read your owner’s manual before starting, as there may be special instructions for cleaning some specific models. 

(Searching in Google “commercial water softeners“? Contact us today!)

The first step to any good cleaning job is to unplug the machine from the power source and remove the empty bottle. This will allow you to access any dirt or mold that might be hiding out of sight. Also, check to see if there is a water bottle guard on the cooler – this should be punctured so it can easily be removed and cleaned. 

Once the bottle is out, drain any remaining water into a basin or sink and flush it down the toilet. This will help ensure that any residual vinegar taste or smell doesn’t linger in the cooler. 

Next, use a sponge to wet the inner surface of your water cooler with your chosen cleaning solution. You can either use distilled white vinegar or liquid chlorine bleach (bleach kills bacteria better than distilled white vinegar). Let the solution stand for two to five minutes before draining it into a separate container. 

After the water cooler is fully drained, rinse off the inside with a spray or multipurpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth. This will ensure that no vinegar remains behind the plastic, and the cooler will look and feel fresh again! 

Now that the inside is clean, you can replace any removable parts that you’ve removed in your cleaning process. These include the water guard, baffle, taps, and drip tray. Be sure to rinse all of these parts thoroughly before replacing them in the cooler. 

If your cooler has a removable plastic water guard, remove it and scrub it well with some of the disinfecting solutions you’ve used for the interior. Rinse it well with your water cleaner and let it dry completely before putting it back in. 

Alternatively, you can wash the water guard and other removable parts in the dishwasher. Some coolers are designed to be washed in the dishwasher, but be sure to verify that from your model’s owner’s manual. 

Then, wipe all of the removable parts down with hot, soapy water and use a clean cloth to dry them off. If your water cooler has a baffle, be sure to scrub that too, as it can collect lots of gunk. 

Finally, be sure to wipe down the exterior of your water cooler and any other surfaces that aren’t removable. This will ensure that your water cooler looks and feels new again! 

Once you’ve finished, you can refill the reservoir with clean water and fill up your bottle with it. You can then plug the cooler back in and press the spigots until the water is flowing properly.