Part 1Part 1 of 2:Preparing the Solution
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1 Pour one gallon of water into a bucket. This step is the same whether youre using a bleach or a vinegar solution. Consider a bucket with a handle, or one that is easy to manage. Its best if none of the bleach solution spills out of the container and onto the floor, or your clothes. </p>
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2 Make the bleach solution. Add 1 tablespoon of bleach to every gallon of water that you choose to use. If possible, use an unscented bleach, as itll be easier to flush the smell out towards the end.
- Mix the solution gently. Use disposable gloves if available (a recommended precaution, but not necessary). Be sure to do this in a space where you can afford to spill some, such as in a large sink.[2]
3 Make the vinegar solution.[3] For the mixture, youll need only undiluted vinegar and a bucket. To ease the scent of the vinegar, you can choose to add a tablespoon or two of lemon juice. Mix in one part white vinegar for every three parts water. So if using a gallon of water, use 1/3 of a gallon (5 1/3 cups) of white vinegar. If including the lemon juice, add it after mixing the water and vinegar.
- As a word of caution, using vinegar is only about 80-90 percent as effective as using chlorine bleach to disinfect anything. While bottled water contains a very small amount of bacteria, its possible for this amount to grow over time if not sanitized totally.[4]
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Part 2Part 2 of 2:Cleaning the Dispenser
Community Answer Black mold is a toxic mold. It can grow in houses and is extremely dangerous to humans. If you find any type of mold, you should not drink the water until you are 100% sure the water does not have any type of mold in it and have had the water tested. 
Community Answer If its the little cap/plug that the piercing spike punches when you load in a bottle, the little cap floats to the top of the jug. It cant come out because its larger than the hole. You do not need to worry about it. Community Answer Definitely. If it doesnt, then you may have missed some grime. Do your best to get to all of the crevices for a fresh taste. Things to Do Before You Start
First thing’s first, before you do anything else, unplug the machine!
You’ll be working near the machine’s inner components, so you want to be sure to cut off the power supply first.
Next, get your tools ready. Here’s a general list of what you’ll need to get started:
Many steps in our list include the use a cleaning solution. You can either use a store bought cleaner, or make a simple vinegar solution.
To make the vinegar solution, simply add 1-part white vinegar, and 3-parts water. Make as much as you want, and fill up spray bottles for easy application.
FAQ
How do you clean a bottom loading water cooler?
How to Clean a Bottom-Load Water Cooler
- Turn off the hot water. Ensure that the hot water feature is turned off. …
- Add your cleaning solution to the reservoirs. …
- Rinse the unit. …
- Clean the interior and exterior of the cooler. …
- Replace your water bottle.
How do I clean my bottom loading water dispenser with vinegar?
A vinegar cleaning solution is a natural and safe way to disinfect a water cooler. Mix a vinegar solution from 1 cup of distilled white vinegar and 3 cups of hot water (or any 1:3 ratio) and fill the cooler reservoir. Use a gentle scrub brush with a long handle to scrub the inside of the reservoir.
How do you clean the inside of a water cooler?
To clean a hot water cooler:
- Boil some water.
- Pour enough boiling water into the cooler to fill the reservoir. …
- Drain some hot water through the spigots. …
- Scrub the inside of the reservoir with a clean, long-handled brush with soft bristles.
- Drain out the water and rinse the reservoir well before you use the cooler.
How do you remove calcium deposits from a water cooler?
Mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 3 cups of hot water and pour this into the reservoir of the cooler. (Gloves may come in handy here, especially if you have sensitive skin.) Wipe the inside of the reservoir clean using this solution and a microfiber cloth.
