Stagnant water may occur when your dispenser has not been used in a long time. Thankfully, this is easy enough to fix. Run your dispenser for approximately 2 minutes. This will remove any old water and drastically improve the taste and smell.
She recommends flushing the water dispenser from the inside with distilled vinegar to clean it (discard the ice in the storage container before you do this.) "Before you start anything, disconnect the water supply, as well as the tube where you want to pour 2-3 cups of distilled vinegar.
To ensure you achieve clean water lines in the fridge, you must flush them. Using a small funnel, slowly pour two to three cups of distilled white vinegar into the tube that leads to the water dispenser. Let the vinegar sit in the reservoir for five to ten minutes to thoroughly clean the system.
Over time, mineral deposits, bacteria, and mould can accumulate within the dispenser's reservoir and dispensing mechanisms, leading to foul-tasting water. Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to prevent these issues.
You can either remove the bad tasting components by filtering the water through a charcoal filter or ion exchange resin or you can simply overwhelm the bad taste by mixing the water with a strong flavorant such as mint or licorice.
Mix 1 capful of chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. With the dispenser still unplugged, pour the water and bleach solution through the opening at the top of the dispenser.
Does your bottled water smell and taste like chlorine bleach, plastic, or musty fabrics? Throw away that bottled water as it may not be safe to drink. If your bottled or tap water has a weird flavor, you should question the quality of your water supply.
It's a good idea to clean your water dispenser every few months or whenever you change your filter. Regular cleaning helps prevent blockages and keeps your water tasting fresh.
Place a bucket under the end of the water supply line. Turn ON the water to the supply line and check the flow. If the water flow seems weak or irregular, the problem is with the water supply. A regular, steady flow could indicate the water valve has become restricted or clogged.
One of the most common causes of bad tasting water from your fridge is an old filter. Though they are designed to provide filtration to the water supply of your fridge freezer, they do not last forever. Fridge filters are designed to be replaced once every six months.
When you taste the tap water and it tastes great, but your ice still tastes a bit funny, it could be that your ice maker filter needs to be cleaned out. Most manufactures suggest that you change your ice maker's filter every six months to keep your ice tasting fresh.
If you let it go too long between changes, the carbon in the filter can actually grow bacteria. Not harmful bacteria, but bacteria none the less that will coat the carbon rendering it ineffective.
STEP 4: FLUSH THE NEW REFRIGERATOR FILTER WITH WATER
Hold the dispenser pad down for five seconds, then release for an additional five seconds. Repeat this process until water begins to flow.
If you've ever replaced the water filter in your refrigerator, you know they don't come cheap. Some cost as much as $60, which means that if you follow directions and change your filter every six months, that can really add up.
Use a water filter
Using a water filter is often the first (and best!) line of defense when it comes to improving taste. Their entire function is to remove harmful and unwanted contaminants from your water.
If your water bottle develops a funky taste or odor, try the following procedure: Put a teaspoon of bleach and a teaspoon of baking soda in the bottle and fill it with water. Let the bottle sit overnight. Rinse out the bottle completely the next day (or run it through the dishwasher).
Water may pick up traces of substances from your plumbing and water fittings or appliances and this situation is the most common cause of unusual or strange tastes.
If the water being dispensed from your water cooler has a bad taste, smell, or color, either the filter must be replaced, or the system must be cleaned. Filter cartridges should be replaced at least once every six months or when the filter reaches its maximum capacity, whichever situation comes first.
Water Bottle Tastes Like Plastic
The issue might not be your tap. The plastic taste in a water bottle means that the plastic of the bottle is wearing out.