How To Clean A Water Cooler That Has Been Sitting. Gently pull the drip tray toward you to release it. Once you’ve taken the cooler panels out of the unit, thoroughly scrub them with a stiff brush and a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of water.
You can clean these parts in a dishwasher or with the steps outlined in the section below. If you prefer to use vinegar to clean your water cooler, use plain, white vinegar. The solution can be made with different materials.
Drain all remaining water through the peg or plug (spigot).
See even more detailed instructions below for the hot/cold cooler. If you rent a water cooler your supplier should sanitise your cooler every 3 months. See even more detailed instructions below for the hot/cold cooler. Most municipal water is treated with chlorine for sanitation and cleanliness.