DIY: How to Clean Your Water Dispenser
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for cleaning your Primo Water 300 Series water dispenser.
General Information
The water dispenser should be thoroughly cleaned at least twice a year. If your dispenser has not been used for a while, it is recommended to purge the unit before cleaning. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before starting to clean.
? TIP: The best time to clean the dispenser is when the current water bottle is finished.
What You'll Need
- 70% isopropyl alcohol or disinfectant wipes
- Spray bottle with a small amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Dish soap
- Clean cloth or soft brush
- Disposable non-latex gloves
- Hot water (approximately one gallon)
- Heat-resistant container, such as a metal pot
- Towels to absorb any water spills
Cleaning Instructions
⚠️ WARNING: Always be careful when handling hot water.
Turn off the hot water tank heater switch on the back of the dispenser [See Fig. 1]. Let the unit rest for one hour before cleaning to allow the hot water tank to cool.
[Illustration showing the rear panel of the water dispenser with the hot water tank heater switch highlighted.]
Remove the water bottle and drain the water reservoir by dispensing water from both the hot and cold water taps.
Clean the cabinet, bottle receptacle, and taps with 70% isopropyl alcohol or disinfectant wipes. Vacuum or wipe the rear grille of the dispenser to remove dust.
Clean the drip tray and grille by emptying the tray and cleaning them with dish soap. Alternatively, place them on the top rack of the dishwasher [See Fig. 2].
[Illustration of the drip tray and grille being cleaned, with an option to place them on the top rack of a dishwasher.]
? TIP: The drip tray and grille should be cleaned monthly.
Remove the dispenser's anti-drip collar. (Note: The anti-drip collar is designed to fit snugly and may require force to remove).
- To start, insert a finger into the notch of the dispenser collar and pry upwards to expose a gap [See Fig. 3a].
- Spray isopropyl alcohol around the anti-drip collar and let it soak for 1 to 2 minutes to loosen the seal [See Fig. 3b].
- With a rocking motion, lift the front and back of the collar, alternating sides, until it loosens and can be removed [See Fig. 3c].
[Illustration showing steps for removing the anti-drip collar: 3a - prying open, 3b - spraying alcohol, 3c - rocking motion to remove.]
Remove the separator by pulling it straight out. Note the separator's position before removal for correct reinstallation [See Fig. 4]. Wash the collar and separator with dish soap and dry them thoroughly.
[Diagram of the dispenser's reservoir, separator, and anti-drip collar, with an arrow indicating the direction to pull the separator.]
Carefully pour hot water into the reservoir until it is 3/4 full. Let the water sit for 5 minutes [See Fig. 5]. Always be careful when handling hot water.
[Illustration of hot water being poured into the dispenser's reservoir.]
Wearing disposable non-latex gloves, clean the inside of the reservoir with a clean cloth or soft brush. Be careful, as the water may still be hot to the touch [See Fig. 6].
[Illustration of cleaning the inside of the dispenser's reservoir with a cloth or brush.]
Completely drain the reservoir by dispensing the water from both the hot and cold water taps into a container.
Repeat steps 7 and 9 to fully purge the dispenser. Cleaning the reservoir interior a second time is not necessary.
Reinstall the separator and the dispenser's anti-drip collar. Apply firm pressure to reinstall the anti-drip collar [See Fig. 7].
[Illustration showing the anti-drip collar being reinserted with firm pressure.]
Wipe down the dispenser and surrounding area to dry any water spills.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Install a full water bottle onto the dispenser. Dispense water from the hot and cold water taps. Plug in the dispenser and turn on the hot water tank heater switch located on the back of the dispenser.
Final Setup
Follow these steps for final setup:
- ▶️ 1. FIRST, install the water bottle.
- ▶️ 2. Dispense water from the hot and cold water taps.
- ▶️ 3. THEN, plug in the dispenser.
⚠️ WARNING: Dispense water from the hot and cold water taps before plugging in the dispenser and turning on the hot water tank heater. Failure to follow proper installation instructions may damage the water dispenser.
