Any office with one or more bottled water coolers installed will understand how essential they are for keeping employees healthy, hydrated, and productive. However, with so many people using them, regular cleaning is crucial to maintaining good hygiene standards, ensuring great-tasting water every day, and extending the water cooler’s lifespan. This guide will give you the information you need on how to clean an office water cooler efficiently.

Why should you clean your office water cooler?

Just like most appliances, cleaning your bottled water cooler is a task that will keep it in perfect working order and protect it from a build-up of dirt, bacteria, and mould inside and out. And cleaning your cooler’s high-touch areas, including taps, buttons, and cup dispensers, can remove obvious grease, grime, and bacteria, keeping it safe and hygienic for everyone. 

But if your water cooler has been out of use for a few weeks, such as over the Christmas holidays or a temporary office closure, you should make cleaning your cooler a priority when you come back in. Here are the six simple steps on how to clean an office water cooler, giving safe and hygienic hydration for all.

How to clean an office water cooler

Before you get started on cleaning your water cooler, there are a few things you’ll need to get your hands on first to help you. These include a bowl of warm, soapy water, fresh water for rinsing, a clean cloth for wiping, a clean cloth for drying, and some food-safe sanitising wipes. Once you have all these, you’re good to go. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Unplug your cooler

Always disconnect your water cooler from the power source by switching it off at the mains and unplugging it to avoid accidents during cleaning.

Step 2: Drain the reservoir

Remove the 18.9 or 13-litre water bottle and empty any remaining water from the reservoir inside the cooler. Use a bowl to catch the drained water.

Step 3: Replace the water bottle

Place a new water bottle onto the unit. Once the reservoir has refilled, drain 5 litres of water through the taps to flush the system.

Step 4: Clean the Exterior

Wipe down the outside of the water cooler using your cloth and soapy water to remove dirt or grime. Also, remove and wash the drip tray to clean it from dust or dirt. 

Step 5: Sanitise your cooler

Use food-safe sanitising wipes to clean the dispenser nozzles, drip tray, taps, buttons, and cup dispenser for one last hygienic clean.

Step 6: Plug in and switch on

Your water cooler is now ready for use. Re-position the unit back into place if you’ve had to move it, plug it in, switch it on at the mains, and you're ready to go.

Help your office water cooler stay clean with Thirsty Work

Doing these six steps week to week will help keep your office water cooler clean. But with a Thirsty Work water cooler, our qualified engineers will help maintain, service, and sanitise your cooler over the long term as part of your maintenance package.

To find out more about our maintenance packages to keep your water cooler clean and hygienic inside and out, call the team today on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com. You can get your free quote or start your 10-day free trial so everyone can enjoy the refreshing taste of fully filtered, natural spring water whenever they nee