Having a water cooler can ensure continuous and convenient access to clean, safe and fresh drinking water. To keep it running smoothly and efficiently, you have to clean and maintain your water cooler regularly.
What factors can affect the cleanliness of water coolers?
Just like any other appliance, water coolers can be exposed to irritants and pollutants. This is why you have to make sure that your water coolers are cleaned and sanitised regularly.
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Humidity
A water cooler is powered by electricity and every time it runs, heat is generated in its machine. This, in turn, produces humidity that can affect the cooler’s system components. When this is neglected, it may cause bacterial growth in the parts affected by the humidity. You may contact your water cooler provider for machine maintenance periodically.
2. Contact Wear and Tear
Water coolers are used by everyone in the house or at work. They are often exposed to manual contact, especially the surface, levers, knobs and spouts of the cooler. This also exposes the cooler to wear and tear like scratches or peeling.
Direct usage of the consumers also increases the risks of contaminants. It helps to clean and sanitise the exposed components and surfaces of the cooler daily.
3. Contaminants
Advanced water cooler designs involve the use of sensors and are touchless. However, most water coolers still operate by pushing a button or pulling the lever. By touching the buttons or levers, contaminants may be passed on to the appliance.
In some cases, contaminants can be aerial. The simple passing of people throughout the day exposes the coolers to various contaminants. This is why cleaning and sanitation should be done regularly.
4. Exposure to Sunlight
One of the main causes for the deterioration of most household or office appliances is their exposure to direct sunlight. If your water cooler is near a window where the sunlight passes through, you will notice how it will deteriorate faster.
Direct sunlight can also affect the quality of water it will dispense, especially for bottled water coolers. The exposure of bottled water to direct sunlight can be a breeding ground for bacteria and algae.
To prevent this from happening, you can find a different place to install your water cooler. You may also cover the water bottle to preserve the freshness of the water.
ALT TEXT: What factors can affect the cleanliness of water coolers?
How do you maintain a water cooler?
Here are 8 easy steps to follow:
- Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet. Make sure that this is followed to prevent untoward accidents.
- Prepare a water solution for cleaning the water cooler. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or household bleach to 3 litres of water. Remember to keep this ratio so as not to damage your cooler or cause adverse reactions to anyone.
- Remove the bottle and inspect the valve and the area where the bottle meets the cooler. Check for mould and mildew buildup. If there are any, get a soft sponge and dip it into your solution. Squeeze off the extra solution before wiping the cooler. When everything is clean, rinse off with clean water.
- Do the same procedure for the rest of the surface of the water cooler. If there are stubborn mildew on the spigot, combine a tablespoon of water and some baking soda to form a paste. Use this mixture and a brush to scrub the stubborn stains. Then rinse it with water.
- Clean the water reservoir by pouring some of the cleaning solutions into the top of the water dispenser. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes and drain the water through the spigots. Make sure to rinse the reservoir thoroughly by pouring clean water into it and draining the water through the spigots. Do this 4 to 5 times with 1 glass of water at a time.
- Remove the drip guard or tray and empty it. Use the brush and baking soda mixture to scrub stains and mildew, then rinse with water. Dry it thoroughly before reattaching it to the cooler.
- If you use a water guard, remove it from the bottle and wash it with clean water and let it dry before using it again.
- When all the parts have been clean and you are satisfied with it, replace the water bottle and plug the power cord. Allow it to chill for about 30 minutes before using.
ALT TEXT: How do you maintain a water cooler?
What if you’re using a bottom-loading water dispenser?
The procedure is relatively similar except for step #5. In cleaning the water reservoir for the bottom-loading water dispenser, fill the water bottle with the cleaning solution and hook it up to the reservoir tube. Fill in the reservoir with the solution and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Drain the cleaning solution and replace the bottle with clean water and let it fill the reservoir, then drain. Repeat this process until the water does not smell or taste anything like vinegar or bleach.
How often should you clean your water cooler?
Generally, full and deep maintenance should be done every 6 months by your water cooler provider. However, you can schedule a weekly or monthly routine sanitation following the steps aforementioned.
It is highly recommended to clean the surfaces and exposed parts of the cooler daily. This is to ensure that you get clean and safe water every day. You also have to make sure that your cooler is not placed where direct sunlight hits your water bottle.
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