How to clean a water dispenser at home (step by step)
Short answer
Unplug the dispenser (if electric) and remove the jar. Drain the reservoir through the taps, wash the reservoir and taps with warm water and mild dish soap or a vinegar solution, rinse thoroughly with clean drinking water, wipe the jar seat, and let it air-dry before placing a new jar. Do this every 3–4 weeks, or weekly in the monsoon.
What you need
- Mild dish soap, or white vinegar mixed 1 part to 3 parts water
- A clean soft cloth or bottle brush that you use only for the dispenser
- A bucket for draining
- A litre or two of clean drinking water for rinsing
Steps
- Switch off and unplug the dispenser if it is electric.
- Lift off the empty jar and drain the remaining water through both taps into a bucket.
- Wash the reservoir and the jar seat with warm water and mild soap or the vinegar solution, using the cloth or brush.
- Run the cleaning solution through the taps, then scrub the tap nozzles.
- Rinse the reservoir and taps two or three times with clean drinking water until there is no soap or vinegar smell.
- Wipe the outside and the jar seat dry, and leave the reservoir open to air-dry for 10–15 minutes.
- Wash your hands, remove the cap seal from a new jar and place it on the dispenser.
How often
| Situation | Clean every |
|---|---|
| Normal use at home | 3–4 weeks |
| Monsoon or humid weather | 1–2 weeks |
| Office or shared dispenser | 2 weeks |
| Green tinge or smell | Immediately — and move it out of sunlight |
What not to do
- Do not use bleach or strong cleaners unless the manufacturer says so — residue is hard to rinse out.
- Do not keep the dispenser in direct sunlight; light encourages algae.
- Do not touch the neck of a new jar or the inside of the seat with bare hands.
Refillr’s gravity dispenser and manual hand-press pump are easy to take apart for cleaning. The dispenser is free with the Reserve Plan.
Water on a fixed day, from ₹60 a jar
See plansPrepaid refills that never expire. Refundable jar deposit. No lock-in.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my water dispenser?
Every 3–4 weeks at home, and every 1–2 weeks in the monsoon or for a shared office dispenser.
Can I use vinegar to clean a water dispenser?
Yes. A solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water works well; rinse two or three times with clean drinking water afterwards.
Why is there green slime in my dispenser?
Green slime is usually algae, caused by sunlight and infrequent cleaning. Clean it immediately and move the dispenser out of direct light.
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