Easiest way to clean a dog water dispenser (no tools required)

The easiest way to clean a dog water dispenser without tools is to put a little water, a handful of salt and some ice in the reservoir, close it, and shake hard for a few minutes so the ice and salt scour off the slime. Then soak it in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry. For hard-water deposits, a vinegar soak works well too.

Cleaning a water dispenser can seem difficult, because you can’t reach inside and you don’t want to use harsh chemicals that could harm your dog. Here’s how to do it step by step.

How to clean a dog water dispenser?

As we can’t reach the insides of the water dispenser, we need something that can scrub the walls for us. The best way to do this is to use salt and ice chips, which act as an abrasive when you shake them. If you do not have ice chips, you can also use sand or uncooked rice. Let’s take a look!

First, take the dispenser apart as far as it allows and empty it. Wash the bowl or tray part by hand with warm, soapy water, since you can reach that easily.

Method 1 (Salt and ice)

First, pour a small amount of water into the reservoir (just enough to cover the bottom) and add about 1 cup of salt. Then, add a couple of handfuls of ice chips and close the lid. Shake the dispenser vigorously for a few minutes. The salt and ice rub against the walls and loosen the slime and grime inside the dispenser. Using only a little water keeps the mixture gritty, which makes it scrub better.

Next, empty out the salt and ice, fill the water dispenser with warm water and a few drops of unscented dish soap, and let it soak for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, give it another shake, open the lid and discard the contents.

Finally, rinse the water dispenser several times with clean water until there are no suds or salt left, and let it dry. And that’s it! You’ve successfully cleaned your dog’s water dispenser without using any tools.

1. Add a little water, 1 cup of salt and a few handfuls of ice
2. Shake the dispenser vigorously
3. Remove the salt and ice solution
4. Fill it with a soap and water solution
5. Let it soak into the dispenser for 30 minutes
6. Remove the soap and water
7. Rinse out the dispenser with clean water
8. Allow it to dry completely

Method 2 (Salt and sand)

If you don’t have any ice chips on hand, you can also use salt and sand.

First, add a small amount of water and 1 cup of salt to the reservoir. Then, add a handful of clean sand (or uncooked rice) and close the lid. Again, shake the dispenser vigorously for a few minutes. The gritty mixture will scrub the dirt and grime off the inside of the dispenser.

Remove the sand and salt, fill the water dispenser with warm soapy water, then soak for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, open the lid and discard the contents.

Finally, rinse the water dispenser with clean water several times, until no sand grains are left, and allow it to dry. Go gently on soft or scratched plastic, as sand can add fine scratches. That’s all there is to it. You may now use your dog’s clean water dispenser.

1. Fill dispenser with water, 1 cup of salt, and a handful of sand
2. Shake the dispenser vigorously
3. Remove the sand and salt solution
4. Fill it with a soap and water solution
5. Let it soak into the dispenser for 30 minutes
6. Remove the soap and water
7. Rinse out the dispenser with clean water
8. Allow it to dry completely

How to clean a water dispenser with vinegar?

Vinegar is especially good at dissolving the white, chalky mineral deposits that build up in hard-water areas. On its own, it doesn’t scrub off slime as well as salt and ice, so it works best as a soak after (or alongside) the shaking method.

Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with every 2 cups of water, fill the reservoir, close it and give it a good shake. Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. If you have a bottle brush or sponge that fits, scrub the interior as well. Then rinse it out thoroughly with clean water until the vinegar smell is gone, and let it dry.

Avoid bleach and strong household cleaners unless the manufacturer recommends them, as any residue left behind can irritate your dog’s mouth and stomach.

How to keep a dog water dispenser clean?

Algae and bacteria build-up in your dog’s water dispenser is almost inevitable. Standing water, saliva and bits of food all give bacteria something to grow on, and they form a slimy layer called biofilm.

The best way to prevent this is to clean the water dispenser regularly. We recommend cleaning it at least once a week, but more often if you notice any slime, discoloration or a smell. Keeping the dispenser out of direct sunlight also slows algae growth.

Emptying and refilling with fresh water every day, rather than just topping it up, also helps, as it keeps the water fresh and gives bacteria less time to multiply.

There are also water fountains on the market that keep the water flowing and filtered, which helps keep it fresh. They still need regular cleaning and filter changes, but many are designed to come apart easily. Take a look at the following 2 water fountains which we recommend: