Now comes the boring part: rinsing. Fill the reservoir with fresh water, then drain it through the spigots. Do this at least three times. Do not skip this step. Otherwise, your next drink will taste like a pickle. And not a good dill pickle—a sad, forgotten one from the back of the fridge.
How to Clean Water Cooler Bottles: Easy Steps
I like to do a smell test. If the water coming out still smells vinegar-y, rinse again. A good rule of thumb: if you can still smell it, your coworkers will too. And they’ll blame you for the “special” water.
Step five: reassemble and celebrate.
Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. Don’t forget the drip tray—that little saucer at the bottom. It’s usually filled with coffee drips and existential dread. Clean that tray or risk growing a science experiment.
Place a fresh jug of water on top. Push it down until you hear a satisfying click. That sound is the sound of hydration returning to your life. Take a victory sip. If it tastes like crisp, clean water, you’ve done it. If it tastes like salad dressing, start over.