There are few things more convenient than the water dispenser that comes with your refrigerator.
The water is always cold, filtered, and readily available whenever you need it.
Most people with a fridge water dispenser use it for much more than human hydration, such as providing water for their pets or utilizing the filtered water in their baking and cooking recipes.
Water dispensers are definitely excellent and continue to evolve as manufacturers develop new products.
There are a few downsides to having a water dispenser, such as changing the filter, repairing water lines, and figuring out how to remove hard water stains from the fridge water dispenser.
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How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Fridge Water Dispenser
Removing hard water stains from your fridge water dispenser is easier than you might think. You’ll start by deciding if you’d like to purchase a pre-made solution or make one yourself. For both options, you’ll need a bucket or bowl of warm water, and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth for scrubbing. Dip the cloth into your solution, and gently rub the hard water stains in circular motions until the surface is smooth and stain-free. Rinse in the bowl of warm water and repeat cleaning steps if needed. Remember to remove the drip tray, as stains are common on top of and underneath it.
Getting Rid of Hard Water Stains
Hard water stains are visually unappealing, and nobody wants to go to their fridge for a fresh glass of cool water to see the white discoloration adorning their water dispenser.
Most commonly, hard water stains build up behind the button that activates the water to dispense out, and the tray below, which catches any water that spills during pouring.
A white, sometimes crusty film is left behind when the water dries. If left unattended, hard water stains can become prominent and difficult to remove.
To make it easy on yourself, you can take a cloth soaked with white vinegar and water to wipe down your refrigerator dispenser at the end of the day.
However, most people don’t have the time, or they just plain forget to wipe out the water dispenser every day.
We all have a lot on our plates, so when those hard water stains accumulate, it’s essential for the health and aesthetic of our fridge to know how to remove them!
Commercial Cleaner
There is an abundance of commercial cleaners available to clean the hard water stains off your fridge water dispenser.
Since hard water stains are an issue for most people, there aren’t any shortages of products explicitly meant to remove them.
If you walk into the appliance or home cleaning section of any major retailer or hardware store, you’ll likely find more than one option for your dispenser’s hard water stains.
Bio-Clean is a popular option and is readily available at Ace Hardware.
You can always read online customer reviews to help you make a decision, but for the most part, they’ll all work well to remove your build-up.
Removing your hard water stains with a commercial cleaner is straightforward and will not require many tools.
- Fill a bowl or bucket with lukewarm water.
- Have a soft sponge or microfiber towel handy.
- Soak your sponge or towel in the solution, according to the directions on the bottle.
- Rub in circular motions to remove stains.
- Rinse your towel or sponge in the water and repeat the steps if necessary.
DIY Cleaner
If you prefer natural cleaning products around your home, then making a DIY cleaner is the best option for cleaning your hard water stains off of the fridge dispenser.
A DIY cleaner is easy to make, and a simple internet search will give you many recipes that you can tailor to what you have in your pantry or which products you purchase regularly.
Cleaning agents like lemon juice, vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide are perfect for naturally removing your water stains without leaving behind any odor or taste.
Not only are they practical, but they guarantee that you won’t be cleaning your filtered dispenser with harmful chemicals.
Keep in mind that many commercial water dispenser cleaners available at the store also contain natural ingredients, so take whichever path is easiest for you.
Mixing white vinegar with equal parts of water is a fantastic way to clean hard water stains.
- Combine one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water.
- Have another bowl of lukewarm water close by.
- Dip your sponge or cloth into the mixture, saturate it completely.
- Scrub the hard water stains in circular motions until clean.
- Rinse your towel or sponge in the prepared bowl of water.
- Repeat the steps if necessary!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Fridge Water Dispenser
Because refrigerators with water dispensers usually are not inexpensive, there are many questions regarding how to clean them without clogging or breaking them. After all, it’s cheaper to clean them than it is to have them professionally repaired!
How do I clean my fridge water dispensers’ hard water stains?
You can use a DIY cleaning solution or professionally made cleaning products to clean the hard water stains off of your water dispenser. By scrubbing carefully with a soft cloth, you can easily remove hard water stains without using too much elbow grease.
Will cleaners ruin my fridge dispenser?
Utilizing the correct cleaners, whether they’re all-natural or store-bought, you’ll be able to clean hard water stains off of the back of the dispenser, the tray, and the dispenser itself. As long as you follow instructions, you will not risk ruining your dispenser.
Where can I find recipes to make a DIY fridge dispenser cleaner?
The internet is full of recipes for DIY fridge dispenser cleaners, and it won’t take you long to find one that you like. If you’re unsure, equal parts vinegar and water always work well.
Conclusion On How to Remove Hard Water Stains from a Fridge Water Dispenser
Hard water stains can be difficult to remove, especially if they build up for too long.
However, by utilizing commercial cleaners and cleaners that you can easily make at home to scrub your dispenser gently, your hard water stains don’t stand a chance!