How to Clean a Primo Water Dispenser

On this page (8 sections)

1. How do you clean a Primo water dispenser?
2. What should you do before cleaning the reservoir?
3. How do you clean the reservoir and dispensing parts?
4. How do you clean the faucets and drip tray?
5. What should you avoid when cleaning a Primo dispenser?
6. Which water coolers have cleaning features?
7. How can you keep a Primo dispenser clean between full cleanings?
8. What should you remember when cleaning a Primo water dispenser?

To clean a Primo water dispenser, unplug it, remove the bottle, drain the water, and clean the reservoir and dispensing parts using your model’s manual. Rinse every water-contact surface thoroughly before using the dispenser again.

The exact steps vary by model, so check the manual before choosing a cleaner or taking parts apart. This guide covers a careful general process for cleaning the reservoir, faucets, and drip tray without guessing at model-specific details.

How do you clean a Primo water dispenser?

Unplug the unit, remove the bottle, drain the reservoirs, clean the parts the manual identifies, then rinse and dry them. Use the model’s directions for cleaning solution, contact time, and any restart steps.

1. Read the cleaning section of your Primo manual and gather clean towels and a container.
2. Unplug the dispenser and remove the water bottle.
3. Drain the reservoirs and faucets as directed, taking care with hot water.
4. Clean the reservoir and removable dispensing parts as the manual allows.
5. Rinse the water-contact surfaces thoroughly and let removable parts dry.
6. Reassemble the dispenser and follow the manual’s instructions before dispensing water.

If you can’t find the manual, look up the instructions for your exact model before cleaning its internal water path. Primo models may have different reservoirs, faucets, and bottle connections.

For day-to-day operation, see how to use a Primo water dispenser. Knowing which parts you handle during bottle changes can help you keep the dispensing area clean between full cleanings.

What should you do before cleaning the reservoir?

Read the manual, unplug the dispenser, and remove the bottle before cleaning. Set up a container to catch water, and make sure the floor and nearby electrical parts stay dry.

Water in the hot reservoir may be hot enough to scald. Follow your model’s instructions for draining it, and let it cool as directed before handling any parts that could contain hot water.

Use clean hands and a clean cloth. Keep removed parts on a clean surface, and don’t set a faucet or reservoir cover where it can pick up dust or food residue.

Can you use any water in a Primo dispenser?

The kind of water you use affects what passes through the dispenser, but it doesn’t change the cleaning instructions. Check your model’s manual and our guide to whether Primo water dispensers can use any water if you’re unsure about your water source.

Don’t use the cleaning solution as drinking water, and don’t add it to a bottle that will be attached for dispensing. Keep cleaning supplies separate from water containers.

How do you clean the reservoir and dispensing parts?

Clean only the water-contact parts your model’s manual says you can reach or remove. Follow its directions for the cleaner, dilution, contact time, and rinsing.

Some dispensers have removable components around the bottle connection or faucets. Don’t force a part loose; if the manual doesn’t explain how it comes off, leave it in place and check Primo’s instructions for your model.

Rinse all cleaned surfaces with water as directed. Residual cleaner can affect taste, so don’t reconnect a bottle until the manual’s rinse steps are complete.

The dispenser’s materials and parts vary. Our overview of what a water dispenser is made of explains why it’s useful to follow the care instructions for your specific unit.

Do you need to clean or replace the Primo filter?

Clean or replace a filter only as your model’s instructions direct. A filter has its own care and replacement guidance, which may differ from the reservoir cleaning schedule.

Check our guide to the Primo water dispenser filter for help understanding when a filter may apply. Don’t assume every Primo dispenser includes one or that cleaning the reservoir cleans the filter.

How do you clean the faucets and drip tray?

Wipe the outside of the faucets and wash a removable drip tray if your manual allows it. Keep cleaner out of the faucet openings unless the instructions say otherwise.

Use a clean, damp cloth on exterior surfaces, then dry them. If the tray lifts out, wash and rinse it as directed before putting it back.

A dispenser with a bottom-loading bottle may have a cabinet that also needs an occasional wipe. Keep water away from the cord and electrical components, and don’t pour liquid into the cabinet.

What should you avoid when cleaning a Primo dispenser?

Don’t use a cleaner, tool, or disassembly method that your model’s manual doesn’t approve. Avoid mixing cleaners, forcing parts, or letting water reach electrical connections.

Don’t guess at the amount of cleaner or how long it should sit in a reservoir. The right directions depend on the model, so use its manual for those details.

Don’t reconnect the bottle while cleaning solution remains in the water path. Complete the specified rinse steps before returning the dispenser to normal use.

Which water coolers have cleaning features?

A Primo cleaning routine depends on your model’s instructions. If you’re comparing water coolers, these alternatives include features that may make routine care easier, though their own manuals still apply.

The Avalon A4BLWTRCLR has a bottom-loading design and high-contact areas treated with a BioGuard antimicrobial coating.

The Brio 520 Series has a UV self-cleaning feature that Brio says can be started with a button. It also includes a care guide.

The Brio bottom-loading cooler includes a manual and care guide, so you can follow its model-specific upkeep directions.

Compare these options with our guide to the best Primo water dispensers if you’re still deciding which type fits your needs. A self-cleaning feature doesn’t remove the need to follow the product’s manual.

How can you keep a Primo dispenser clean between full cleanings?

Keep the faucets, drip tray, and bottle connection area clean, and follow the manual’s schedule for reservoir care. Wipe spills promptly with a clean cloth.

Wash your hands before changing a bottle, and avoid touching the bottle opening or the dispenser’s water inlet. Make sure the bottle is seated as directed so water doesn’t spill into the cabinet or onto the floor.

If water tastes or smells unusual after cleaning, stop using the dispenser and check the manual’s troubleshooting steps. Make sure the water path has been rinsed and reassembled as instructed before dispensing again.

What should you remember when cleaning a Primo water dispenser?

For how to clean a Primo water dispenser, use the manual for your exact model, unplug before cleaning, drain carefully, and rinse all water-contact surfaces as directed. Clean removable parts only as instructed, and keep water away from electrical components.

If you’re choosing a dispenser, consider the cleaning and care steps you’re comfortable doing. Our practical guide to what a water dispenser is called can help you compare the terms used for different dispenser styles.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you clean a Primo water dispenser?

Follow the cleaning schedule in your specific Primo model’s manual. Clean sooner if you notice residue, an unusual taste or odor, or a spill around the reservoir or dispensing area.

Clean removable parts whenever the manual calls for it, and rinse the water path before dispensing drinking water again.

Can you use vinegar to clean a Primo water dispenser?

Use vinegar only if your model’s manual permits it and gives directions for mixing, contact time, and rinsing. Models and cleaning instructions can differ, so don’t assume a method that works for one Primo dispenser is safe for another.

Never mix vinegar with bleach or another cleaner.

Should you unplug a Primo water dispenser before cleaning?

Yes, unplug the dispenser before cleaning, and follow the manual’s instructions for emptying hot and cold reservoirs. Hot water can cause burns, so allow the unit to cool as directed.

Keep the plug and electrical parts dry throughout cleaning.

How do you clean a Primo dispenser’s removable drip tray?

Remove the drip tray if your model allows it, then wash and rinse it using the method in the manual. Dry the tray before replacing it, and wipe the surrounding area with a clean cloth.

Don’t pour cleaner into the dispenser or its openings.