How to clean a water cooler yourself at home: methods and features of the work

As the cooler is used, its internal mechanisms gradually become covered with dirt. In this case, plaque forms, and this negatively affects the quality of the water; it is for this reason that timely cleaning of the water cooler is required. If these measures are performed correctly, you can prevent many health problems in the future.

Why do you need to clean the cooler?

The main factors why you need to clean the cooler are the high risks of developing various diseases and other negative effects:

• taking into account the fact that one of the functions of this device is heating, then, naturally, over time, scale forms on the surface of the heating element, and this significantly reduces the quality of drinking water;
• pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the container and begin to multiply intensively in favorable conditions (the required temperature for their life activity), this also leads to the appearance of plaque on the walls of the device;
• Sometimes you can find algae spores in the liquid, this is the result of poor water purification, as a result of which it “blooms” - it gets a greenish tint, and a coating of the same color remains on the internal parts of the equipment;
• pathogenic organisms can also be located on the outer part: on taps, keys, housing, drip tray, from here harmful bacteria enter the human body simultaneously with water.

Attention: If you do not take care of the device in a timely manner, then over time mold fungus will form in the unit, and this is a significant threat to the human body.

Cleaning must be carried out constantly while replacing the company in the water cooler. In addition, the device must be cleaned after prolonged inactivity, as well as after repairs. If the device is used constantly, it is necessary to remove dirt very often.

Manufacturers of this equipment advise even at home to perform cleansing once every six months. But it is recommended to do this more often, for example, every month. As a result, the possibility of the appearance of complex contaminants is reduced.

Features of cleaning the cooler yourself

If you decide to clean the cooler yourself, then you must perform this work with great care so as not to damage the equipment’s mechanisms and avoid water contamination in the future.

Here are a number of tips that will allow you to thoroughly wash the device:

1. Before washing the cooler, you need to turn it off from the electrical power supply. It is necessary to disconnect correctly in the following way: find out whether the tank is filled with water - if it drips from at least one tap, then the tank is full. Then you need to turn off the valves and turn on the heating. When all the indicators have gone out, you need to disconnect them on the back panel of the device, remove the container, pour out the remaining water, and then disconnect it from the power supply.
2. It is forbidden to wash equipment elements under the tap - running water contains bleach and a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, and parts need to be cleaned from them.Therefore, it is best to prepare a cleaning composition and rinse the knots with boiled or filtered water.
3. Do not use abrasive products, even when the device is very neglected and has not been cleaned for a long time. There are special cleaning compounds.
4. The elements of the device should not be thermally treated; therefore, it is forbidden to use a dishwasher or use a steam cleaner for this. Also, you should not use units that operate at high pressure for cleaning.

Sequencing

Professional cleaning is best done once every 6 months - this is enough to prevent premature wear of the device and keep the water clean.

If you need to constantly clean it yourself, it is recommended to do this much more often - for example, monthly. Naturally, this will depend on the amount of water consumed. If the cooler is located in an office space, then this is an ideal option. If the device is installed at home, then once every three months is sufficient.

External and internal cleaning of parts

In order to clean a dirty cooler, you need to remember the sequence of work. Before disassembling the equipment, it is necessary to drain the water from the device. To determine the remaining liquid, carefully tilt the cooler in different directions.

Perform external cleaning of the elements: taps for all types of water, the receiver that collects spilled liquid and the equipment housing itself:

• the water collector and the body can be washed with a sponge (these products are washed more often, approximately once a few months, the best option is to rinse after any replacement of the water container);
• dismantle the container receiver - the mechanism is unscrewed, and into the hole that appears you need to pour citric acid, which is diluted with clean water;
• carefully remove the taps by twisting them out and rinse the inside thoroughly (this is where drops of water accumulate and pathogenic microorganisms often appear), use a small cross-section brush and a soap-based solution for this;
• Wash all elements using a disinfectant solution, which is first mixed in a container with water (remember rubber gloves).

Add a little disinfectant to the water container, leaving it here for a certain time for the appropriate reaction (the product will remove microorganisms, plaque and odor) for 15 minutes, then drain everything using the taps (so, these elements will also be disinfected, after you just need to remove them, rinse and dry).

Cleaning the cooler yourself means always rinsing the detergents from its elements. To do this you need:

• fill the device with water;
• connect to the power supply;
• leave for 20 minutes;
• pour out the liquid;
• do this procedure twice.

Afterwards, be sure to wipe all parts with a towel.

Mechanical water pump treatment

Professionals advise sanitary cleaning of the pump once a quarter. Before performing work, you must wash your hands thoroughly.

Next, the following stages of work are carried out:

1. When the pump is dismantled, the filling valve and water intake tubes are removed from the device and these products are disconnected.
2. Using a brush and detergent, the faucet and water intake pipes are washed. The pump is washed.
3. All elements are rinsed with warm water (about 40 degrees).It is not recommended to use water above 60 degrees. This sometimes leads to irreversible damage to components and mechanisms.
4. The disinfectant is poured into enamel containers. All elements to be cleaned are placed in it. Everything needs to stand for about half an hour.
5. The external parts are wiped with a napkin, which is moistened with a disinfectant composition.
6. The elements are transferred to a container with boiled water.

At the end, all parts need to be dried and installed in the reverse order.

Popular products for cleaning coolers at home

The most popular descaling agent is citric acid, which quickly softens any deposits, removing them from the walls of the bottle and the mechanisms of the device. At the same time, it allows you to disinfect surfaces and remove unpleasant odors.

The main advantage of citric acid is its absolute safety for human health, as well as directly for the cooler.

You can prepare the product like this. You need to stir 100 g of powder in 5 liters of water. The prepared solution is poured into a container.

Iodine can cope well with scale. You need to add 25 drops of iodine to 5 liters of water. The product must be added to the cooler and wait about 10 minutes. The disadvantage of this disinfection is the stains that appear when iodine gets on the external part of the equipment. Also, when this substance comes into contact with metal parts, a corrosion process begins.

Ammonia is quite effective. Its small concentration can perfectly cope with scale and foreign odors. During work, you must use gloves, otherwise you may get burned. After disinfection, the equipment must be rinsed especially thoroughly - at least 6-7 times.

Attention: It is forbidden to turn on the heating mode of the device while there is ammonia in the container - this will damage the cooler.

When plastic elements become heavily soiled, they can be treated with dishwashing detergents. You need to apply a couple of drops to a sponge, beat until foam forms and wipe off problem areas. You can only use a soft sponge, otherwise scratches will remain on the plastic.

Recommendation: When removing grease stains, mix water with vinegar and detergent in equal proportions. Old stains can be treated with a paste of baking soda and water. The product must be applied carefully, otherwise scratches will remain on the plastic.

The best effect can be achieved using special products - polymer-based antiseptics. For example, guanoposept. It does not contain chlorine and is absolutely safe for human health. The method of use is indicated on the packaging of the composition.

Preventive actions

The basic rule for using a cooler is to periodically clean the internal and external surfaces. Due to this, the risk of scale formation and difficult-to-remove contaminants is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the development of foreign odors and mold inside the cooler, without affecting the quality of the water.

Additional recommendations:

1. There is no need to clean the cooler yourself if you are not sure that you can assemble it correctly later.
2. External elements (body, drip tray, container installation ring, taps) are cleaned more often, since they are used most actively; if dirt is periodically removed from them, this will significantly reduce the time for plaque to appear.
3. Before placing the container, you need to wipe the neck of the bottle and the needle of the device with napkins moistened with alcohol.Additionally, you need to treat the sides of the water container after removing the protective film.
4. Cleaning the device is allowed only when all cooler components have cooled down.
5. Do not completely immerse the equipment in any means to speed up cleaning, as this can damage the conductive parts of the device.
6. Before attaching the water container, you must wash your hands, as there is a risk that they will transfer pathogenic microorganisms into the bottle.
7. You should not use aggressive cleaning agents, for example, Domestos, acetone, gasoline, etc.
8. It is prohibited to use steam generators and other equipment where operating temperatures are elevated to remove scale.

Cleaning the cooler is an important and necessary step for long-term and normal operation of the equipment. By periodically disinfecting the device, you can achieve high quality water, which has a positive effect on health.