This article is written for people who uses water coolers with self refillable water containers (not those using the bottles re-ordered from suppliers and delivered periodically to your office or place, since those are usually taken care of by your suppliers in Singapore).
Portable water coolers are often used at sporting events, business conventions, camping trips, everyday office use etc to provide clean and safe drinking water. Many people don’t consider the need to clean a portable water cooler as they think that it only purifies water. However, although it may not seem like a priority, a water cooler unit can become home to mold and mildew over time and it may become stale. The water cooler should really be cleaned following each time it is used. So how exactly do you clean a portable water cooler?
Empty the water cooler
If you use the portable water cooler often then it’s likely that you make a point of emptying it once you have finished using it. On the other hand, if you rarely make use of the water cooler then the process of emptying it can easily be overlooked and forgotten. Emptying the water cooler is important and should really be done after each time it is used. This will prevent any growth of mold or mildew inside the water cooler. Even if you find that this is the case, it’s not the end of the world, and the water cooler can still be recovered and used again.
Clean it out
Most portable water coolers are manufactured from tough plastic and so cleaning them is a relatively simple process. After emptying all the water out, clean the inside of the container with a damp cloth and then allow it to dry thoroughly. This should eliminate any scum that may have gathered if water has been left in the water cooler for some time.
Cleaning with detergent
Inspect the internal part of the water cooler and if there are no signs of mold or mildew it can be cleaned it with simple dish detergent. Simply use a few drops of detergent on the inside of the water cooler, add some warm water and clean the inside with a sponge or cloth. If it’s a small water cooler and the opening isn’t big enough to get your hand in, then simply put the cap back on the cooler and shake it vigorously. Next, open the tap on the water cooler and allow the water to drain out. Add more warm water, shake it again, and let it empty. Repeat this until there is no sign of soap in the water as it is emptied. Finally, wipe down the inside with a clean cloth and allow the water cooler to dry.
Smell removal
Sometimes when water is left inside the water cooler for a long time, micro-organisms begin growing and this can lead to an unpleasant smell caused by the growth of mold and mildew. This is often the case in Singapore due to the climate. If this is the case, then fill the water cooler with warm water and a few drops of dish detergent, shake it for a few minutes, and then leave it to soak for around thirty minutes. Drain the soapy water from the tap, add some clean warm water and use a cloth or sponge to clean the inside of the water cooler. Again, repeat rinsing with fresh clean warm water until there are no signs of soap in the water coming out of the tap. Wipe the inside of the water cooler and leave it to dry. If the water cooler still smells, then try adding some cold water and a few drops of vinegar, replace the cap, shake it, and then leave it for around an hour. Drain the water as before, and then clean the inside again with warm water and a clean cloth.
