How to Refill a Five Gallon Water Bottle

These water jugs come in five gallon bottles that you turn over and set in a dispenser. When the water bottle is empty you will need to replace it by ordering another bottle or refilling your existing one.

1. Contact the company from whom you bought the original water bottle. Usually they have a monthly system where you pay a designated amount and they will bring you new, full water bottles. They will also take away used water bottles to recycle. It is important to ask the company about their product because some five gallon bottles are not meant to be refilled and doing so can result in unsanitary water. If you own a sanitary, multi-use bottle, continue to step 2.

2. Lift up the empty water bottle out of the dispenser and set it aside. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the rim of the dispenser and keep dust particles out and pat dry. Cover the top with the bottle cap to prevent debris from entering.

3. Take the water bottle to a local store that does jug refills. Many grocery stores and gas stations will refill your five gallon bottle using their filtered water system. Some of these stores will do a trade in where you give them your used bottle and they hand you a new one. This option is usually far cheaper than having a home delivery service.

4. Clean out the bottle if you intend to refill it again at your house. Pour 6 tablespoons of baking soda in the bottle and fill it up with three gallons of tap water. Shake the bottle then pour out the solution. Rinse the bottle thoroughly with tap water before closing the top.

5. Use a water filtration system on your kitchen sink to refill the bottle at your house. Attach a filtration hose to the faucet head if you cannot reach the bottle. Insert the other end of the hose into the five gallon bottle head and fill the bottle until you have a couple inches of space remaining at the top.