Your fridge's water dispenser makes it easy to get a cool glass of water. However, lately, you've noticed a funky taste whenever you take a sip. The strange taste is due to the buildup of minerals, like calcium and magnesium, in the dispenser's tube. Use this guide to learn how to clean the fridge water dispenser and start enjoying fresh, clean water again.
How to Clean Your Fridge’s Water Dispenser in 5 Easy Steps
Refresh your refrigerator’s dispenser for endless clean drinks
Photo: Thomas Barwick / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Photo: Thomas Barwick / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Written by Kelly Weimert
Contributing Writer
Updated October 16, 2024
Difficulty
Easy
Simple project; big impact.
Time to complete
1 hour
You may want to let the vinegar soak overnight.
Cost
Up to $25
Save big by DIYing.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Screwdriver
- Small funnel
- A clean toothbrush or other soft-bristle brush
- Dishrag or sponge
- Paper towels
- Kitchen towel
SUPPLIES
- Distilled white vinegar
- Small bowl
- Dish soap
- Large mixing bowl or pitcher
Turn Off the Water Supply
To prevent a mess, turn off your fridge’s water supply before you start cleaning the dispenser. Locate the water shut-off valve to your fridge, which may be located under the kitchen sink or inside of the fridge. Turn the valve to the off position.
If you're not sure where the fridge's shut-off valve is, you can try turning off the main water supply in your home. Another option is to contact a local refrigerator repair company for assistance.
Run Vinegar Through the Water Line
Next, find the water tank inside the fridge and locate the copper tubing that connects it to the dispenser's reservoir. Water travels through the tubing into the dispenser, leaving a trail of minerals in its wake.
Disconnect the tubing from the water tank, using a screwdriver to loosen the screw. Leave the other end of the tube connected to the reservoir. Place a funnel in the opening of the tube, then slowly pour the vinegar into the funnel, then down into the tube. Hold the tube up, so the vinegar flows down into the reservoir. Have someone help you hold the tubing and funnel to make things go more smoothly.
Let the vinegar sit in the reservoir for at least 10 minutes.
Push the button to dispense water to flush the vinegar out of the reservoir. Place a bowl or glass under the dispenser nozzle to collect the vinegar. Once the vinegar stops flowing out, the reservoir is empty.
Clean the Dispenser Nozzle
Fill a small bowl with the vinegar and dip a clean, unused toothbrush or small, round bottle brush into it. Use the vinegar-soaked brush to scrub away buildup from the dispenser's nozzle. You may be able to see the mineral buildup around the nozzle, as it will look like a pinkish slime.
For a more hands-off approach to cleaning, soak a paper towel in the vinegar. Wrap the towel around the nozzle and let it sit overnight. The vinegar will eat away at the mineral buildup, so that the next morning, all you'll need to do is wipe it away.
Wipe Down the Tray and Surrounding Surfaces
Clean the tray that catches water, too. While the tray won't affect the taste of your water, it can get grimy, which may make getting a drink less appealing.
Remove the tray from the front of the refrigerator. You may be able to just pry it off. If you can remove it, wash the tray in the sink with warm, soapy water, using a dishrag or sponge to clean away grime. Rinse the tray with warm water and dry with a clean towel.
If you can't remove the tray, no worries. Simply clean it with a soapy dishrag or sponge, then rinse with a new, wet rag or sponge. Dry with a towel.
At the same time you're cleaning the tray, wipe down the exterior area around the water dispenser.
Flush the Water Line With Water
Photo: ferrantraite / E+ / Getty ImagesWhen everything is clean, reconnect the tubing to the fridge's water tank and turn the water supply back on. Let the reservoir refill, then use the dispenser to fill up a large mixing bowl or pitcher with water.
Pour out the water into the sink, then refill the bowl or pitcher. Dump the water out again. You need to flush the line to remove any trace of vinegar, so your water doesn't taste weird.
Dispense a small amount of water into a glass and smell it. If it smells like vinegar, fill another pitcher or bowl with water, then try the sniff test again. You may also take a small sip of the water to see if you detect a vinegary taste.
Signs That You Need to Clean Your Fridge Water Dispenser
Unsure of whether your fridge water dispenser needs a refresh? Discover a few of the most common signs that it’s time to break out the cleaning supplies.
Your Fridge’s Filter Alert Warns You
The most obvious sign that your fridge water dispenser needs some intervention is if its filter alarm warns you or its light changes color. In addition to swapping out your water filter, you’ll also want to give your dispenser nozzle some TLC. Keep in mind that some filter alerts lose their accuracy with age, so you may benefit from cleaning the fridge filter and dispenser on a routine schedule.
Water or Ice Has a Bad Smell or Taste
A funky taste or smell from your fridge water or ice is a telltale sign that your water dispenser is due for a cleaning. Water that tastes or smells metallic signifies that calcium and magnesium have accumulated, even if you can’t see the mineral buildup.
Dispenser Has Low Water Pressure
If you notice a change in your dispenser’s water pressure, the excess buildup could be blocking water flow. Scrubbing your dispenser can eliminate the blockage and create ideal water pressure for filling up your glass and staying hydrated.
Why Do I Need to Clean the Fridge Water Dispenser?
Like most appliances, your refrigerator, and its water dispenser, work more effectively when properly maintained. Not only should you clean your water dispenser to ensure a well-functioning fridge, but also to ensure that your household members are drinking clean and safe water.
Water often contains minerals which create buildup that can reduce your appliance’s lifespan. Mineral buildup also creates an environment where harmful bacteria and mold can thrive. Appliances that process hard water experience buildup quicker than those that process soft water. If this accumulation of minerals goes unattended in your dispenser, it can impede your home’s water quality and fridge’s energy efficiency.
Tips for Reducing Mineral Buildup in Your Water Dispenser
There are a few ways to reduce how quickly minerals build up in your refrigerator’s water dispenser. Heed the tips below to maximize your dispenser’s water quality and efficacy.
Replace Your Fridge’s Water Filter
Replacing your water filter about once every six months is one of the simplest ways to soften your water and filter out harsh minerals. It is one of the best ways to maintain your refrigerator and freezer to ensure they function properly. Filter upkeep also prompts cleaner, healthier water consumption in your home.
Install a Water Softening System or Phosphate Filter
Another way to guarantee water free of minerals and deposits is using a water softening system or a phosphate filter. Water softener systems and phosphate filters process water, rid it of excess minerals and deposits that cause buildup, and return it to the source for less harsh water on appliances and offers a smoother taste.
Avoid Spilling When Possible
Of course, an occasional overflow or water spill is bound to happen at your fridge water dispenser. Avoid spilling when possible to prevent expedited buildup in your water dispenser reservoir. Less water spills will also improve the overall cleanliness of the dispenser area and prevent your fridge from getting harsh water stains.
DIY Fridge Water Dispenser Cleaning vs. Hiring a Pro
In most cases, tackling fridge water dispenser cleaning is a relatively simple DIY project. However, you may want to enlist a pro if low water pressure issues continue after cleaning your dispenser and changing your water filter. Hiring appliance repair pros can help you locate the source of your refrigerator’s problems in no time. The average cost of fridge repair ranges from $200 to $300. Some house cleaners will add the water dispenser to their regular list of tasks upon request—the average cost of a house cleaning visit is $175.
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep your fridge’s water dispenser sanitary, aim to clean it once every three to six months. Routine cleanup will promote better water flow, cleaner water, and a well-functioning dispenser in the long run. Your dispenser may have an alert system that lets you know when it needs cleaning.
Mold thrives in wet or moist conditions, so a fridge water dispenser can be the perfect place for them to live. You may transfer mold to the dispenser's nozzle by touching it with the rim of an unwashed water bottle or your hands.
If you see splotches that look like mold, you can clean them using vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is acidic enough to kill and remove most mold species.
Yes, you can use baking soda to clean your water dispenser. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one quart of warm water, then use a sponge or cloth to wipe the solution on the inside and outside of the dispenser. For tougher stains and grime, you can also make a lightly abrasive paste of one part baking soda and one part water to gently scrub tougher areas. Then rinse the dispenser with water.
In short, yes. You’ll want to clean your ice machine whenever you clean your water dispenser to keep ice tasting fresh. Since your ice machine uses the same water supply, it is subject to the same mineral buildup as your dispenser if not cleaned regularly. The process of cleaning the ice machine is similar to cleaning the water dispenser.
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