Clean your dispenser every 2 to 3 months, and every time you change the bottle supplier. It takes about 30 minutes.
Updated 11 November 2026
Top load dispenser
Switch off and unplug. Remove the bottle.
Drain the tanks through the taps and the drain plug at the back.
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar in 3 litres of water and pour it into the top reservoir.
Leave for 10 to 15 minutes, then drain through every tap.
Rinse 2 to 3 times with clean drinking water until there is no smell.
Wipe the probe (the spike that goes into the bottle) and the drip tray.
Bottom load dispenser
Do the same, but also clean the suction pipe and the bottle cap seal: pump the vinegar mix through the pipe, then pump clean water through it 2 to 3 times.
Advertisement
Fridge cabinet and body
Wipe the cabinet with mild soap and water and leave the door open to dry. Wipe a glass door with a soft cloth. Brush dust from the back grille.
What not to use
Never use bleach that you cannot rinse fully, detergent powder or steel wool inside the tanks.
Every 2 to 3 months, or sooner if the water tastes or smells strange.
Can I clean a dispenser with vinegar?
Yes, white vinegar mixed with water is safe and works well. Rinse well afterwards.
Is water from a dispenser safe to drink?
Yes, if the bottled water is clean and you clean the dispenser regularly.
How do I clean a water dispenser filter?
Most dispensers we list have no water filter. If yours has an inlet mesh or filter, rinse or replace it as the manual says.
How do I remove a bad smell from a water dispenser?
Empty and clean the tanks with a mild vinegar or food-safe cleaner, rinse well several times, and clean the bottle seat. Change to a fresh bottle.
How do I clean a PEL water dispenser?
Unplug it, drain the tanks from the back drain plug, wash the reservoir and taps, rinse with clean water and refill before switching on.
How do I clean the pump of a bottom load dispenser?
Run a food-safe cleaning solution through the suction pipe and pump, then flush with several litres of clean water.
What does water dispenser maintenance involve?
Clean the tanks every few months, wipe the taps and drip tray weekly, dust the back grille and check the plug and cable.
How do I clean a water cooler?
A home water cooler is cleaned like a dispenser: unplug it, remove the bottle, drain the tanks, wash the inside with a vinegar or mild cleaning solution, rinse with clean water several times and drain again before you fit a new bottle.
How do I clean the water cooler spout or tap?
Pull off the taps if they come off, soak them in warm soapy water and scrub inside with a small brush. Rinse well. Wipe the drip tray at the same time.
Can I clean a water dispenser with baking soda?
Yes. Mix a spoon of baking soda in warm water, pour it into the cold tank, leave it for 10 minutes and drain. Rinse at least twice with clean water so no taste is left.
