Where food and drink are concerned, cleanliness and hygiene are king – including your water dispenser. Wherever you position your dispenser, it’s going to be used by plenty of people every day, so water cooler sanitisation is essential, both inside the unit and on the outside. We explain why cleaning your water dispenser is so necessary and give you tips on how to do it effectively.

Why cleaning your water dispenser is essential

Just like other areas in your home or business that need regular cleaning, the unit's cleanliness and drinking water are really important. Regular cleaning and water cooler sanitisation will prevent bacterial growth, maintain the water quality, and protect the health of everyone who uses the dispenser. 

Bacterial growth: Over time, your water dispenser can quickly become a hotbed of harmful bacteria, such as Legionella or E. coli, especially if positioned in direct sunlight. These bacteria thrive in moist or humid environments and contaminate drinking water.

Water quality: An unhygienic dispenser can affect the quality and taste of your water. Sediment buildup, algae growth from sunlight and humidity, and mineral deposits can all affect the flavour, making it less appealing.

Protecting health: Drinking water from a contaminated dispenser can result in various gastrointestinal problems, infections, and potentially more severe illnesses. And cleaning the outside of the unit will also help keep germs and bacteria to a minimum.

How often should you clean your water dispenser?

The easiest part of having a bottled or mains-fed water cooler in your home or office is that it needs minimal day-to-day maintenance to keep it clean. You can do a few daily and monthly tasks to keep your water dispenser in good health before having a complete water cooler sanitisation and service every six months.

For a daily clean, wipe over any high-touch, germ-prone areas like taps, cup dispensers, and drip trays with a food-safe sanitising wipe to remove all bacteria and any visible dirt or marks. However, a monthly clean – especially good when your dispenser hasn't been used for a while – should also involve draining and flushing the system with fresh water to prevent any bacterial build-up inside your dispenser. Find out how you can do this in six steps.

Service and maintenance packages

Carrying out the daily and monthly cleans will keep your water dispenser clean and fresh, but having a complete water cooler sanitisation every six months will give you top-level cleanliness and hygiene. 

Whether you’re using a bottled water dispenser or a mains-fed water dispenser, a complete water dispenser sanitisation service carried out by a qualified engineer will provide the essential maintenance your water dispenser needs. The best part is that this service is included in Thirsty Work’s water cooler servicing and maintenance package, all carried out by our WHA-qualified engineers.

Complete water cooler sanitisation from Thirsty Work

Regular cleaning and water cooler sanitisation are essential for maintaining your water cooler's cleanliness, quality, and safety. With our maintenance and service packages, keeping your dispenser clean and hygienic has never been easier. 

To find out more about all our service packages, including 6-monthly filter changes for your mains-fed water cooler, and get your free quote, call the customer service team on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today. You can even start your 10-day free water cooler trial.