Refreshing Your Routine: The Benefits of Water Dispenser and Ice Maker Maintenance

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your water dispenser and ice maker is key for their optimal performance and for maintaining clean, safe drinking water. Understanding the significance of routine maintenance can help prevent bacterial buildup, ensure sanitary drinking water, and avoid breakdowns and costly repairs.

One of the main reasons for routine maintenance is to prevent bacterial growth. Bacteria can amass over time, especially in parts that come into contact with water. Regular cleaning and sanitization can get rid of harmful bacteria, ensuring a clean environment for your drinking water.

Ensuring sanitary and safe drinking water is another significant benefit of regular maintenance. By frequently replacing water filters and cleaning the dispensing parts, you can get rid of impurities and contaminants. This enhances the taste and quality of the water, providing a healthy and refreshing drinking experience for your family.

Last but not least, regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns and expensive repairs. Neglecting maintenance can lead to issues like clogged filters and malfunctioning valves, causing your appliances to work inefficiently. Regular inspection and servicing can help identify and rectify potential problems early, avoiding major breakdowns and costly repairs.

How Do You Clean the Water Dispenser on a Refrigerator?

Maintaining your water dispenser's cleanliness is crucial for its functionality and for ensuring a consistent supply of clean, refreshing water. Regular cleaning not only improves the taste and quality of the water but also extends the life of the dispenser. Here are some effective cleaning methods:

• Clean the exterior surfaces: Start by unplugging the refrigerator. Use a soft cloth moistened with a mild detergent solution to wipe down the exterior surfaces of the dispenser, especially areas frequently touched, like buttons and handles. Rinse the cloth thoroughly and wipe away any residue. Finish by drying the surfaces with a clean, dry cloth.
• Wipe away mold and grime under the drip tray: Mold, mildew and grime typically accumulate under the drip tray of the dispenser. Remove the drip tray and clean it thoroughly in your kitchen sink. Wipe away deposits and residue under the drip tray in the dispenser housing.
• Clean the tip of the water dispenser tube: Use a cotton swab moistened with white vinegar to clean the tip of the water tube in the dispenser.

Plug the fridge back in and run water through the dispenser to rinse vinegar from the tip of the water tube.

Maintaining Your Refrigerator Ice Maker

Follow these steps to maintain the ice maker in your fridge:

1. Shut off the ice maker so you can complete the cleaning and maintenance routine without the ice maker cycling.
2. Remove the ice bin and dispose of the ice because ice cubes get stale and absorb taste and odors from the fridge over time. (You can use the ice cubes to water plants if you wish.)
3. Wash the ice bin in your kitchen sink.
4. Allow the bin to dry completely and then reinstall the bin in the freezer or ice compartment.
5. Turn the ice maker back on so it resumes ice production.

Repeat these cleaning steps every 2 months to keep ice cubes fresh.

Replace the Water Filter Regularly

The water filter is critical for purifying water for the ice maker and water dispenser. Refrigerator water filters typically need replacing at least every 6 months. Failing to replace the water filter can result in contaminated ice and water flowing through the dispenser. Keep the water and ice coming from your fridge fresh and pure by replacing the water filter regularly.

To find the filter that fits your fridge, use our water filter finder. Order the filter that fits your model of refrigerator.

Once you receive the new water filter, follow the manufacturer's instructions to locate and remove the filter. Here’s a video that shows how to replace one of the most common types of refrigerator water filters:

Adhering to these cleaning methods and maintenance procedures, you can maintain your dispenser's performance and enjoy the benefits of clean, refreshing ice and water. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific cleaning and maintenance guidelines.