Unplug the machine first. Always. Water and electricity are not friends. They break up badly.
Remove the top lid or reservoir. Most pop right off. If it fights you, check for a sneaky latch. It’s hiding.
Take out the drip tray. That’s the plastic grid under the spout. Yes, it’s slimy. Yes, we’re fixing that. Throw it in the sink for now.
The Vinegar Soak (Science for Grownups)
Mix one part white vinegar to three parts warm water. Don’t use hot water! Hot water can warp plastic. We’re cleaning, not cooking.
How to Clean a Water Dispenser: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Life
Pour this magical potion into the reservoir. Fill it up to the spout level. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Go watch a funny cat video. Your dispenser is marinating.
Vinegar is a mild acid. It eats mineral buildup and fizzes away the biofilm. It smells like pickles, but that’s the smell of victory.
