Updated at: 24-10-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

Do you want to understand how to clean fridge water dispenser? This procedure is easy and would only take about a couple of minutes. It consists of seven simple steps. And we’re going to explain them to you thoroughly.

As years pass by, every model released by various brands has unique features and advanced technology and engineering. These days, almost all fridges have water and ice dispensers, and you don’t have to refill them with water since they can obtain their water supply.

It also has a filter that ensures safe and sustainable water for you to drink. But is replacing the filter enough to maintain the cleanliness of the water? If you don’t know how to clean your water dispenser, this article will show you how. So, stay updated!

Why You Should Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter

While the health benefits of changing your refrigerator water filter are important, there are many other reasons why you should change it regularly. If you use the same filter for too long, it won’t filter out contaminants and other debris.

If bacteria and minerals make it past the filter, you’ll notice your refrigerator water tastes bad, your ice smells bad, and eventually, the filter will clog. A clogged water filter can lead to other problems with your refrigerator, including low ice production and reduced water pressure from the dispenser.

How Often to Change Your Water Filter

Generally, manufacturers recommend changing refrigerator water filters at least every six months. However, there are many factors that contribute to the frequency of water filter replacement.

Water hardness, water quality, and how often you use the water dispenser and ice maker affect how quickly your water filter fills up. If you’re unsure about the quality of your home water supply, you can use test strips to see what contaminants are present.

5 Signs You Need to Replace Your Refrigerator’s Water Filter

The Indicator Light Is On

Many new fridges come with convenient indicator lights that let you know when your water filter needs replacing. Sometimes the indicator light is controlled by a simple timer while in other cases it might be linked to the actual status of the water filter, which is handy because not everyone uses the same amount of fridge water per day and your filter might need replacing sooner or later than your neighbor’s.

It’s Been 6 Months

Most refrigerator makers recommend that you replace your water filters every six months. Indeed, this is the recommended service life of most refrigerator water filters that you see. Often the filters will come with a little sticker where you can mark the date you installed the new filter to remind yourself of when a replacement is due.

Your Water Dispenser Is Slow

If you have hard water, your water filter will be especially prone to clogging up with mineral deposits over time. Even if you have nice soft water, the filter may become clogged over time with the very elements it is filtering out of your water. If you notice that it’s taking longer and longer to fill your glass, it might be time to replace your water filter.

Your Ice is Gross

Often, when water filters start to have problems this affects the quality and quantity of the ice. If your icemaker always seems to be out of ice, or if that ice is overly cloudy or has a strange taste or odor, changing the filter could solve the problem.

Your Water Tastes Funny

Perhaps the best measure of when you need to replace your water filter is your own taste buds. Whenever your water starts tasting odd to you, just replace the filter to enjoy refreshing, tasty water again.

Where to Buy a Filter

Your refrigerator may be compatible with more than one filter. Rather than deal with all the confusion about brands and model numbers yourself, just call American Appliance Repair. We have plenty of filters in stock and we can even come install the new filter for you.

Steps To Clean Water Dispenser

Water dispensers are not just an additional feature or an accent to your fridge door. But it plays an essential role in providing you with a supply of safe drinking water without getting a pitcher or bottle.

So, it’s necessary to keep it clean. But we need to consider the products we use in cleaning the tubes and faucets. We should avoid using toxic chemicals. Instead, we’re going to use your vinegar. Now, let’s start discussing the steps on how to clean fridge water dispenser.

Step #1. Turn off the unit and switch off the water supply

While you’re cleaning, this step will prevent you from consuming too much energy and water. Switching off the water supply can also avoid making a mess or flood your kitchen.

You can directly turn off the fridge through the thermostat and unplug it from the outlet. And you can stop the water supply by disconnecting the pipes, where the water travels, in your water tank.

Step #2. Remove the drip tray and grille

Undrained water will allow unwanted dirt and other contaminants to evolve. So, make sure to drain it frequently. We need to detach all removable parts, including this one. With this, we can clean the dispenser continuously.

Step #3. Clean the water passage

You have the option to clean only your faucet or the entire water line. But we’ll walk you through both processes.  Before that, you need to prepare your distilled white vinegar. It’s an effective cleaning agent due to its acidic feature.

Method #1. Only the faucet

In this method, you should place your vinegar in a spray bottle. To have balance, you can put 50% water and 50% vinegar on the bottle. The spray nozzle will allow you to distribute the vinegar evenly on the interior and exterior sides of the faucet.

Ensure to spray all sides and edges of the dispenser, including the part where you put the drip tray. Then, let the solution settle for a couple of minutes.

Method #2. Through the water line

As you can remember earlier, we disconnected the pipes to stop the water supply temporarily. You can loosen the ring that seals these tubes together. Prepare your vinegar, and you don’t need to transfer it to a spray bottle.

However, if the opening of the tube is small, you’ll need a funnel. Grab the tube that is connected to the faucet of the dispenser gently. Place the funnel on the open end and start pouring in your vinegar until adequate.

Ensure that the tap is not available to keep the solution in there. Leave the vinegar to settle for a few minutes. And you can tape the tube onto the fridge’s wall to prevent the vinegar from spilling.

Step #4. Scrub

Use a small clean brush or sponge and saturate it with the vinegar and water solution. Make sure to scrub all edges and sides of your water dispenser located in the fridge door. Also, scrub the surfaces of where you place the drip tray. Some contaminants may cause discoloration if it’s already been a long time since you clast cleaned the dispenser.

Step #5. Rinse

You can rinse it by using a spray bottle with warm and clean water. However, if you chose the second method of cleaning the waterline, dispense first all solution. Then, turn on the water supply and the unit, allowing clean water to flow. Finally, switch on the faucet/s to rinse off all the vinegar solution and its taste from the dispenser.

Drain the excess water using a wet vacuum. If you don’t have one, you can soak a clean cloth in the water and let it gather some. Then, you can wring it off in a sink or bucket. Wipe the dispenser dry using a dry or slightly damp clean cloth.

Step #6. Clean the drip tray

Soak your tray and grille on a container with water-vinegar solution. Leave it for a couple of minutes. Then, you can scrub all sides and edges thoroughly. If there are any hard-to-remove black spots, let it soak for few more minutes and wash again. Rinse these pieces and let them air dry.

Step #7. Putting it all back together

If all parts and edges are entirely dry, you can place back the drip tray and grille. And you can use your dispenser again.

FAQs

How do you clean mold out of a refrigerator water dispenser?

Spray the Dispenser with Vinegar and Water Now using a spray bottle with half and half vinegar and water solution inside and spray all around the unit. Make sure to spray those areas that have mold and calcium real good.

How do I clean my refrigerator water dispenser tube?

Make Cleaning Easy with Vinegar Here comes the vinegar! Hold the tube above your fridge’s reservoir and pour about three cups of vinegar into the copper tube. Tape it to your fridge’s wall and let it drain into the water system. Use this same method for your ice dispenser if your fridge has a built-in ice maker.

How often should you clean water dispenser in fridge?

A fridge water dispenser is a fun feature that sometimes gets overlooked during a routine kitchen cleaning. But cleaning it thoroughly is important to ensure you’re drinking clean, bacteria-free water. Ideally cleaning the water dispenser at least once every two months will be good to keep it clean and safe to use.

Do refrigerator water dispensers need cleaning?

Ice makers and water dispensers on the refrigerator do require regular maintenance. In areas with hard water, lime deposits may clog lines and dispensers or cause white stains to build up around nozzles.

How do you clean a water dispenser with vinegar?

Mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 3 cups of hot water and pour this into the reservoir of the cooler. (Gloves may come in handy here, especially if you have sensitive skin.) Wipe the inside of the reservoir clean using this solution and a microfiber cloth.

How do you remove mold from LG refrigerator water dispenser?

Vinegar is a safe product that is effective in both descaling your water dispenser and getting rid of mold in the fridge water line. Reno’s Appliance recommends adding 3 cups of vinegar to the water line via the copper water supply pipe attached to the water tank — you’ll likely need a funnel for this.

How do you clean bottom water dispenser?

How to Clean a Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser Turn off and unplug the machine. Drain all water from the reservoir. Add your bleach, vinegar, or cleaning solution to the water bottle and reattach it (so that the reservoir inside the machine fills). Let the mixture sit inside the reservoir for at least 10 minutes.

How do you clean algae out of a water dispenser?

The algae is completely safe and easily removed with a paper towel dampened with vinegar or lemon juice. To prevent this film from developing, place your dispenser in area away from fluorescent lighting and replace empty water bottles immediately.

How do you deep clean a water cooler?

To clean a hot water cooler: Boil some water. Pour enough boiling water into the cooler to fill the reservoir. Drain some hot water through the spigots. Scrub the inside of the reservoir with a clean, long-handled brush with soft bristles. Drain out the water and rinse the reservoir well before you use the cooler.

Can refrigerator water make you sick?

Your refrigerator could be contaminated The growth in waterborne bacteria can pose a risk to the water supply itself and the quality of your drinking water. This can pose a big risk to you and could even lead to you becoming seriously ill.

How do you clean a water dispenser with baking soda?

Mix one gallon of warm water with two tablespoons of baking soda or distilled vinegar. Pour directly into the reservoir. Thoroughly wash the reservoir with a clean cloth or sponge. Let the solution sit for five minutes before draining it from the reservoir through the cold spigot.

Can I use apple cider vinegar to clean my water dispenser?

Heat some white or apple-cider vinegar until warm (NOT boiling) and wipe down the outer ice/ water dispenser surface. Next, clean the dispenser water tip by using a small brush and vinegar to poke up in there, and wipe inside and outside.

How often should a water dispenser be cleaned?

So keeping your water cooler clean gives you the best chance of benefitting from all the watery goodness without any contamination, whether you’re using a bottled water cooler or a mains-fed water cooler. For a deep, sanitising clean, your water cooler should be thoroughly cleaned every six months.

How do you clean a Samsung refrigerator water dispenser?

Cleaning the Interior You can do it by unscrewing it and then sliding the pipe out. Once you have removed all the power supply and the tube, use a small funnel and simply pour three to four cups of distilled vinegar inside the tube. The vinegar will flow from the tube and moves into the water reservoir.

How do I clean my GE Profile refrigerator water dispenser?

Peel the soft touch dispenser pad off the back of the dispenser area by grasping one of the top corners of the pad and pulling down. Wash the dispenser pad in the sink with warm water and mild dish soap. Rinse the dispenser pad thoroughly in clean water. Dry the dispenser pad with a paper towel or cloth.

How do I clean my Frigidaire refrigerator water line?

A simple, affordable and quick way to clean a refrigerator water line is with vinegar. It is gentle enough to pass through the Kenmore or Frigidaire plastic refrigerator water lines without damaging them or their parts while strong enough to remove foreign materials, deodorize and disinfect.

Wrapping Up

And those are all the steps we have gathered on how to clean fridge water dispenser. Do this procedure twice every year, or you can do it every month. It depends on you, but  once you feel the slightest changes in your water, there might be a problem with the filter or water line. So, always pay attention to the slightest features of your appliances. Do you want to read articles about cleaning? Read how to clean fridge outside. Thank you for reading!