Water is the source of life for almost every living organism on Earth, which is why it is so important to drink the established amount of clean liquid in order to maintain the necessary balance and health. Nowadays, we can note a craze for proper nutrition and proper care of one’s own body. Many people have stopped drinking low-quality water from the water supply; a healthy alternative is purified water from the cooler. However, few people think about how often it is necessary to clean the water cooler, because the purity of the liquid and the health of its consumer primarily depend on this.
This device is necessary not only for commercial enterprises, but also for residential premises, rooms, houses, apartments. The desire to buy a cooler is completely justified, because it is better to drink good and safe water from the manufacturer than to risk your own health and drink questionable liquid from the water supply system.
Why clean the cooler?
When used, the internal elements of the device are gradually contaminated, plaque appears, which ultimately affects the taste of the water and human well-being. Moreover, such an environment is fertile for the development of a variety of microorganisms and bacteria that lead to diseases. Cooler sanitation is necessary to keep the water clean. If this problem is not solved in time, it can lead to serious consequences: deterioration of health, poisoning. To begin with, we list the main factors that affect water pollution and increase the likelihood of developing diseases:
- Bacteria that thrive in a favorable environment (warm water) can penetrate into the device, which forms a harmful coating on individual components and elements of the device.
- One of the main functions of the cooler is to heat the water, so over time, scale forms on the surface of the heating device, which reduces the level of purity of the water.
- Bacteria may appear on the external elements of the device due to contact with people: germs on the tap, buttons, front panel, drip trays. After some time, harmful microorganisms enter the human body.
- Water purification is a complex process that requires special equipment, so not all suppliers take their responsibilities responsibly. Algae spores can get into the water, then the liquid begins to bloom and is harmful to health. Next, plant organisms settle on the inner surface of the entire system.
Causes of water pollution
The first source of pollution may be the water itself. In fact, this is why it is recommended to buy it only from trusted suppliers. The second most common cause is dirt and bacteria on the hands. If the neck of the bottle can still be protected with a protective film, then the entry of microorganisms inside during its installation is inevitable. All this leads to their intensive reproduction, up to the appearance of colonies already inside the device - a characteristic coating is formed on the surface and, as a result, the cooler needs to be cleaned.
Any cooler requires timely care, washing and cleaning.
In addition, deterioration in water quality can be caused by the following factors:
- Lack of personal hygiene. No one can guarantee that all household members or office employees scrupulously adhere to basic sanitary rules!
- Unfavorable external environment. Dust in the room, lint from floor coverings, small particles contained on outerwear - all this sooner or later ends up inside the dispenser.
- Small insects and rodents. It sounds shocking, but it is a fact. Many public institutions where such devices are installed are at risk of spreading infections precisely due to the local “fauna”.
- Scale formation. This may indirectly cause the cooling fan to break down.
Mineral salts present in water contribute to the formation of plaque and scale.
Important! Before installing a new bottle, it is highly recommended to wipe the water inlet needle with an antibacterial wipe!
How often to clean your device
This question worries many users of these devices. The device must be cleaned even after changing the water supplier. If the device has not been used for a long time, it is necessary to contact specialists to carry out sanitary work. When the cooler operates around the clock, the internal components should be treated regularly. In turn, manufacturers advise washing the internal structure at least once every six months. Many users note that it is better to carry out sanitary work every three months, in which case it is possible to reduce the likelihood of bacterial growth and health hazards.
If you plan to do the cleaning yourself, you may encounter certain difficulties. Before disassembling the device, you should unplug it from the outlet and allow time for the system to cool down.
Recommendations for cleansing and some contraindications
Professionals advise sanitizing the cooler once after thirty days of operation, despite the fact that the manufacturer’s recommendations indicate a completely different period (six months). However, we all wash dishes after each use, so why does such an important device for maintaining clean water need to be washed after such a long period of time? It is enough to disassemble the device to see for yourself that sanitary work has been needed for a long time. You will be able to find not only scale, but also green vegetation on the internal nodes. Regular flushing will significantly increase the purity of the fluid and increase the operating time of the equipment.
Before you learn how to clean a water cooler, you should learn some of the nuances of the work that will allow you to avoid the most common mistakes. There is no need to wash machine parts under running tap water, as such actions will not bring the desired result, because it is best not to think about the quality and purity of such a liquid. Steam cleaning devices and dishwashers are also not suitable for solving this problem.
What is recommended to use
Allowed to use:
- Soft cloth napkins, brushes.
- Detergent gels intended for washing dishes.
- Plastic tubes are treated with a 2% solution of baking soda, soaking them by immersion for 20 minutes, followed by rinsing.
- The internal cavities of the electrical appliance system are cleaned with a solution of citric acid.
Cleaning the water cooler yourself is not at all difficult. This procedure should not be neglected. Regular cleaning of the device is the key to drinking safe drinking water.
Another method of washing an electrical appliance will be shown in the video below.
Detailed cleaning instructions
There are several basic methods for cleaning a cooler; we list the main stages of sanitary work. This method is perfect in a situation where the water has not yet been heavily polluted. Cleaning a water cooler at home is quite simple; you just need to fulfill a few conditions. The most convenient time for professional cleansing is when the liquid runs out. Next, you need to turn off the device and give it time to cool down so as not to get burned when cleaning. Remember that you cannot turn on the device again while you are doing maintenance, otherwise you may damage the heater. Cleaning a water cooler yourself is easy and won't make you sweat at all, you just need to follow the instructions.
Preparatory work
You need to open up the product you usually use to clean dishes and mix it with water to clean the body of the appliance. It would also be a good idea to purchase citric acid; it will cope well with microorganisms and “centuries-old” plaque.
External surface cleaning
Disinfect your hands with an antiseptic, which can be alcohol, good soap, or simply wear medical gloves. Wipe the surface of the machine thoroughly with a damp cloth; it can be pre-soaked in dishwashing solution. Pay special attention to the grille and the back of the device, you need to remove all traces of dust. After this, you should go over the body again with a dry towel. External washing is of great importance, as it eliminates bacteria that subsequently enter the machine.
How to wash the inside
To do this, use a prepared mixture of citric acid and water in a ratio of 100 g of product per 5 liters of liquid. If you are wondering: how to clean a fan? – then there is nothing complicated, you need to thoroughly wipe it from dust. Next you need to disassemble and clean the cooler.
Cleaning, disinfection
To perform internal disinfection, unscrew the bottle receptacle counterclockwise. Pour the diluted mixture inside the device so that it fills the receiving tank. Be careful: the liquid must completely fill the tank. To do this, you need to open the taps and monitor the thickness of the jet, which should be the same as during normal operation of the cooler. If the water flow is weak, then you need to add detergent to the tank.
Scale
The method described above, that is, a solution of citric acid, will not only destroy bacteria and algae, but also rid the device of scale. To effectively remove the deposits that have formed, you should plug the device into a power outlet and wait until the water heats up. Then turn off the cooler and drain the water after five hours. How to wash the device? Quite simple: pour clean water and repeat heating, release the first batch and enjoy using it.
If you haven’t washed the cooler for a long time and the water coming from the taps is very dirty, then the cleaning process becomes much more complicated. In this case, it is necessary to use special chemicals that can be found in specialized retail outlets.
Cleaning removable parts
After you have managed to wash the device from the inside, you should move on to cleaning the removable parts. Remove the drip tray and taps and rinse them thoroughly. Don't be afraid to use a brush and dishwashing chemicals. After the procedure, you should wipe these elements dry and put the parts back in place. If you find it difficult to remember the location of the devices, make a note with a marker.
Rinsing
Rinse the container and equipment from the mixture or special compositions purchased in the store and intended for cleaning, fill with clean water. If you feel a sour taste, you need to repeat the procedure several more times.
Preparing for work
- Before cleaning a water cooler at home, you need to unplug the device and wait for the water to cool. It is most convenient to do this between changing bottles. Lay a rubber mat or plastic film on the floor. Drain the water, first hot, then cold, placing a bucket or basin under the taps. There is no need to open both taps at once, otherwise disinfection will be ineffective.
- After this, find the water drain valve on the back of the device; it may also be located on the bottom, depending on the model.
- Drain the remaining water, if necessary tilt the device so that the water comes out completely.
- Prepare rubber gloves, a brush, dish detergent, clean rags and paper napkins.
What actions to take if the water in the cooler has bloomed?
In this case, you need to take the following actions:
- Disassemble the device.
- Carefully treat all internal elements with cooler cleaning products.
- It would also be a good idea to disinfect the bottle and liquid supply system.
- Thoroughly wash all removable elements with a brush.
- Fill with fresh water and attach all parts. Wear medical gloves.
When is professional cleaning necessary?
If the water coming from the tap has bloomed, then it is better to contact highly qualified employees who will perform all the necessary work to clean the cooler. Such companies use modern equipment and high-quality cleaning products. After receiving the device, wash its outer casing and pour a liter of water.
Prevention
The main reason for device contamination is the users themselves, who introduce bacteria onto the device body. It is enough to place a container of water into the cooler once with dirty hands, and bacteria and microbes get inside and begin to actively multiply. Foreign microorganisms not only worsen the taste of the liquid, but also make it unsafe for health. These changes are often unnoticeable in hot water, so focus on liquid at a low temperature. As the best preventative measure, you can periodically clean the exterior of the housing (once a month). Pay special attention to those parts that come into direct contact with water. If the water has already bloomed, then it is better to call upon the help of specialists who will return the device to its original characteristics. The presented company operates in Moscow.
Preventive actions
To prevent the development of pathogenic microorganisms inside the cooler and to keep the device in good working order and clean, you should follow a few simple rules:
- Regularly clean the water cooler, both at home and with the assistance of special services.
- Periodically disinfect external surfaces.
- Carry out systematic cleaning of taps and drip tray.
- Follow the disinfection rules when changing bottles.
- Observe personal hygiene rules.
Thus, keeping the dispenser clean and regular maintenance should not be regarded as a whim of the manufacturer or tyranny of the boss - the health of everyone who will use this device directly depends on this. Moreover, cleaning your water cooler should be done as often as possible. Only in this state of affairs can you be sure that the water in the glass is clean, and the cooler is not a source of problems, but a real helper.
Proper and timely cleaning of the cooler helps to extend its service life and allows you to be confident in the purity of the water you use.
