While water bubblers are a great way to keep everyone in the office, gym, home, or school hydrated with clean, potable water during business hours -it’s also important to remember that even though the water you put through them is clean- germs, bacteria, mold and mildew can accumulate within the tubes and other parts relatively quickly.
The more humid the environment and active its use, the more likely it is that a water bubbler becomes unsanitary. They’re typically made of plastic, and in just about every case whether they’re stainless steel or not, the tubing which carries the water around is certainly food grade plastic.
Plastics are more prone to bacteria, so maintaining a regular maintenance and cleaning schedule is important for to follow through every few fill-ups.
However don’t be alarmed, it isn’t as difficult as you think. Read on to learn how to clean and maintain your trusty water bubbler.
How to Clean and Maintain a Water Bubbler
In order to clean and maintain a water bubbler, you will need the following tools;
- Bleach
- Bristled brush or a sponge
- 2 Buckets
- Rubber gloves (optional)
1. Disconnect the Power
It is important to remember never to attempt to clean a water bubbler with it still plugged into the power outlet; you wouldn’t want to get a shock –you’re working with an electrical device and water- not a safe mix unless it’s unplugged.
2. Take Away the Water Jug or Bottle from Above
It is probably most convenient to clean your water bubbler right before swapping an empty bottle for a new one.
3. Remove any Excess Water from the Reservoir
Before you begin, first you’ll have to remove any water from the reservoir into a bucket and make sure the water bubbler unit is completely empty.
4. Make a Bleach Solution
Once you’ve got your water bubbler’s water reservoir free and clear it’s time to make your bleach solution. Use the second bucket with one gallon of clean water in it & add 1 tablespoon of bleach.
5. Pour Bleach Solution
Now it’s time to refill the water bubbler’s reservoir with your bleach solution; simply pour in the solution until it fills the reservoir. Any excess solution you have can be stored for a month afterwards for subsequent cleanings. Let the solution sit in the chamber for about 4 – 5 minutes.
6. Drain the Bleach Solution
After 4-5 minutes empty the bleach solution through the faucet. This will also clean the tubing between the chamber and the faucet.
While you’re at it, let some solution fall under the screen below the faucet and use your sponge to clean it up. Clean off the faucet handle and the body of the water bubbler as well.
7. Rinse, Repeat
After you empty out all the bleach solution, run clean fresh drinking water through the reservoir just as you did with the bleach solution 4 to 6 times, and rinse the screen/shelf below as well. This will ensure no harmful chemicals are left behind.
8. Put it All Back Together
“All back together” sounds like work; oh no – put the screen back over the little shelf under the faucet, put in a new water bottle. You’re all set.
See? Nothing to it. We suggest assigning this task to one person in the office so it doesn’t get shirked around and avoided. It’s easy enough to do!
