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A water jug that smells stale after a camping trip and a film on the inside that will not rinse away are the signs it is time to clean it. How to clean 5 gallon water jug is the question this guide answers, step by step, from emptying it to drying it. It covers the wash, the rinse, the sanitize step and the dry, with no special tools needed.
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How to clean 5 gallon water jug: the quick answer
Empty the jug, wash it with warm water and dish soap, rinse it well, sanitize it, rinse again and let it air dry upside down. A bottle brush reaches the inside walls, and the job is a wash, a rinse, a sanitize step and a dry. The sections below give each step in order.
Step 1: Empty the jug and rinse it out
Pour out any water left in the jug, then rinse it with warm water to wash away loose dirt. Turn the jug upside down over a sink or outside and let it drain. A jug that is empty and rinsed is ready for the wash, and the rinse keeps grit from scratching the inside walls while you scrub.
Check the cap and the spout while the jug is empty: grime gathers in the threads and under the cap, and those parts need the same wash as the jug. If the cap has a valve or a spout that comes apart, take it apart now so every part can be cleaned.
Step 2: Wash it with warm water and dish soap
Fill the jug partway with warm water and add a small amount of dish soap, then put the cap on and shake it. The soap lifts the film and the smell from the inside walls, and warm water does the work better than cold. Let the soapy water sit in the jug for a while so it can loosen what is stuck on the walls.
| Step | What to do | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| Empty and rinse | Pour out the water and rinse the jug | Warm water |
| Wash | Shake soapy water inside the jug | Warm water and dish soap |
| Scrub | Brush the inside walls and the cap | Bottle brush |
| Sanitize | Swirl a sanitizing solution inside | Bleach solution or vinegar |
| Dry | Let it air dry upside down | Fresh air |
Do not use hot water that could warp the plastic: warm water is enough for the wash, and the sanitize step below does the rest. If the jug is stained, let the soapy water sit longer before you scrub.
Step 3: Scrub the inside
Push a bottle brush into the jug and scrub the inside walls, the bottom and the shoulder where the jug narrows. The brush reaches the film that shaking alone leaves behind, and a few passes over each part of the wall are enough. Scrub the cap threads and the spout with the same brush, or with a small brush that fits them.
For a jug with a narrow neck, a brush with a long handle reaches the bottom, and a cloth tied to a stick works where a brush will not fit. Rinse the brush as you work so you are not pushing dirt back onto the walls.
Step 4: Sanitize and rinse again
After the wash, sanitize the jug so the water that goes in it stays fresh. A diluted bleach solution works: add a small amount of bleach to water, swirl it around the inside walls, and let it sit for a while. A vinegar solution works too, and it is the pick for a jug that still smells after the wash.
Rinse the jug well after sanitizing, until the rinse water runs clear and no bleach or vinegar smell is left. Then turn the jug upside down on a clean rack and let it air dry with the cap off, so no dampness is trapped inside. A jug that is dry and smells of nothing is ready to fill again.
Ways to keep a jug clean between washes
- Empty the jug after each trip and let it dry with the cap off, instead of leaving water in it.
- Store the jug with the cap off so air can move through it and no dampness is trapped inside.
- Fill it with fresh water at the start of each trip, instead of topping up water that has sat in it.
- Keep the jug out of direct sun while it is stored, so the plastic stays in good shape.
FAQ: power away from the grid
How often should I clean a 5 gallon water jug?
Clean it after each trip, when the water tastes off, or when it smells stale. A jug that sits unused for a while needs a wash before it is filled again, and a jug in daily use needs a wash when the taste changes.
Can I use bleach to clean a water jug?
Yes, a diluted bleach solution sanitizes it. Add a small amount of bleach to water, swirl it around the inside, let it sit for a while, and rinse well until the rinse water runs clear and no bleach smell is left.
Can I put a 5 gallon water jug in the dishwasher?
Most jugs are too tall for a dishwasher rack, and the heat can warp the plastic. Hand washing with warm water and dish soap is the safer pick, and a bottle brush reaches the inside walls a dishwasher cannot.
How do I get rid of a smell in a water jug?
Wash it with warm water and dish soap, then sanitize it with a vinegar solution and let it air dry with the cap off. If the smell stays after a wash, wash it again and let it dry in fresh air before filling it.
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