Are Water Coolers Safe for Your Family? What You Need to Know

Yes — water coolers are safe for families when properly maintained. The risks come from neglect, not from the appliance itself. Here’s what you need to know to keep your cooler hygienic.

Browse our water cooler range or see our full cleaning guide: How to Clean a Water Cooler.

The Real Hygiene Risks

A neglected water cooler can harbour bacteria, mould, and other microorganisms — particularly in the cold water reservoir, tap spouts, and drip tray. These are warm, moist environments where bacteria multiply readily if not cleaned regularly. The most common contamination routes are:

• Tap spouts touched with unwashed hands
• Drip tray left uncleaned and overflowing
• Reservoir not sanitised for extended periods
• Exhausted filter cartridge no longer removing contaminants
• Bottles stored in warm or dusty environments before use

A well-maintained cooler with a current filter cartridge is a safe, hygienic source of drinking water.

Maintenance Schedule for a Safe Cooler

Browse our replacement filter cartridges to keep your cooler’s filtration current.

How to Sanitise Your Water Cooler

Full sanitisation takes about 30 minutes and should be done every 3–6 months. See our step-by-step guide: How to Clean a Water Cooler. You’ll need:

• 15ml of unscented 5% household bleach in 5 litres of water (or diluted white vinegar)
• Long-handled brush
• Microfibre cloth
• Rubber gloves

Always unplug the cooler before cleaning. Never clean a water cooler while it’s connected to power.

Are Coolers with Built-In Filters Safer?

Our Awesome Water Coolers use a BPA-free bottle with a built-in 8-stage KDF filter cartridge that removes chlorine, heavy metals, sediment, and bacteria before dispensing. This provides an additional layer of protection compared to coolers that dispense unfiltered water directly from a bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions