Comments on: How to Clean a Water Cooler

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:00:05 +0000

I have white flakes that come out of my water cooler while dispensing water. I do have an older cooler and I wondered what it might be and how to clean the cooler and get rid of these. Any feedback would be appreciated!

By: Jowhena

Jowhena — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:37:30 +0000

You can buy a water cooler cleaning kit. It works good..

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 17:06:50 +0000

I am trying to clean my Sunbeam Water Cooler, I have tried the vinegar and it did not work. The easiest way for me to describe the taste is to tell you it taste like hose water from outside. It is gross! I have tried everything to clean this. I am not sure if I should try the bleach or not, I have soaked the parts and cleaned each one individually. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:44:11 +0000

The issue of using vinegar is that even though it is slightly acidic it will not disinfect as well as bleach and being an acid will tend to attack the seals in any valves in the system.

The key to disinfecting with bleach is to use the proper dilution ratio (1 tblspn/gal water) being careful to mix the solution thoroughly before running it through the water cooler. Those that have a residual taste or odor probably did not mix the solution properly or have an internal reservoir holding the cleaning solution and will take longer to dilute it enough until the taste is no longer present.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:08:47 +0000

My booklet tells me to use water with lemon juice and now I have noticed that there is some build up inside of the system. It tells me to not use bleach because I have a hot water and cold water?

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:31:14 +0000

I’ve seen suggestions that vinegar should be used instead of bleach. Both would leave an odor. Which one is easier to remove?

By: Mr. X

Mr. X — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:53:13 +0000

Try running a mild baking soda through the tanks. Drain the tanks.

First, mix the solution in a bottle (a 2 liter soda bottle will do). Add about 1 tsp. Position the bottle so it drains into the cooler’s reservoir. If the bottle empties before the reservoir is full, mix up another batch and repeat.

Then repeat the above procedure. Then replacing the bottle, allow the water to fill in the reservoir. Wait 20 minutes then drain Sold reservoir till the water is no longer cold, and that should do it.

Also remember to disconnect the hot water . the baking soda would not be good for the hot water tank.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:46:13 +0000

I have cleaned out the cooler and drained it many times but still taste the bleach. What can I do to get rid of the taste and smell?