Remove the screw holding the plastic tubing water lines in place inside the refrigerator using a Phillips screwdriver or the type of screwdriver appropriate for the screw type in your refrigerator. Allow the baking soda to completely dissolve into the mixture to prevent scratching the surface of the refrigerator. If the refrigerator water tastes like mildew, then it could be that the water lines need to be properly cleaned. Baking soda can clean, deodorize and remove bacteria. Empty the water from the reservoir that is typically behind the crisper. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Use a cotton swab to get into the nooks and crannies of the tray and buttons to ensure that you have thoroughly cleaned the area of any lingering bacteria.The interior of the fridge should be cleaned regularly with a mix of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water. Rinse with clear water.Replace the water filter with a new one, following filter replacement recommendations from the manufacturer.Dispose of the first batch of ice made after cleaning as it may have a vinegar flavor.Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Dispose of the vinegar and use a toothbrush and cloth to give the dispenser a good cleaning … A few common household cleaners can safely flush out the lines, and you can have fresh-tasting water in an afternoon.Flushing out the refrigerator's water lines can ensure mold doesn't grow and the water continually tastes fresh.The refrigerator's water lines are connected to the same source as the tap water that flows from the kitchen sink faucet. Check out how to clean refrigerator water dispenser below. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. It is important to flush your refrigerator lines. However, it won't keep bacteria from finding its way into the water that you drink that comes from the refrigerator.An old filter long-overdue for replacement can lead to clogged lines and an odor from mineral build up within the plastic tubing. Rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly before replacing it. Changing the filter regularly will keep the water that is dispensed from the refrigerator tasting fresh. in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Rinse out the ice-maker line with clear water before reattaching it.Rinse out the ice-maker line with clear water before reattaching it. These are typically located inside the refrigerator and need to be changed out every three months or so.Filters actually don't clean the water so much as they remove minerals and other hard water deposits that can make the water from the refrigerator dispenser have a bad taste.

Use a screwdriver to remove the ice maker line from the refrigerator. Run the vinegar from the water line out through the water dispenser and into a bowl, which breaks free the lime in both the line and the dispenser nozzle.Shine a flashlight into the dispenser nozzle area so you can see any dirt, then thoroughly clean the outside of the nozzle with a clean rag moistened with vinegar. Refrigerator water dispensers don’t often give any trouble, but if you live in a hard water area there will be a gradual buildup of calcium that can slow the flow of water from the dispenser and cause the cooling to take longer.

The refrigerator's water filter collects all the minerals and crusty hard water deposits that flow through the lines.

Remove the ice-maker line completely, but leave the dispenser line attached to the dispenser door nozzle.Remove the ice bin and dump the ice out in the sink. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. The refrigerator water dispenser tray and all of the parts became gross in no time at all. Vinegar can serve as a good refrigerator water line cleaner. In areas with hard water, lime deposits may clog lines and dispensers or cause white stains to build up around nozzles. Flush the line and nozzle with clear water.Wash the ice-maker bin in warm, soapy water. Vinegar can serve as a good refrigerator water line cleaner. Each time the dispenser is touched, bacteria can get left behind from unwashed hands or busy chefs who transfer bacteria after handling poultry or other raw meat.Clean off the water dispenser with a quick spritz of rubbing alcohol on the tongue and backsplash. You can see how gross and dirty ours was. A dollop of dish soap in 1 quart of warm water works just as well if done once a month at the minimum.Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing for a variety of clients, including The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal Home section and other national publications. The ice maker needs to be connected to a cold water line water pressure between 20-120 psi. Allow any ice buildup on the inside of the bin to thaw completely.Pour 3 to 4 cups of white distilled vinegar into the ice-maker and dispenser lines with a small funnel and allow it to soak for five to 10 minutes to break down the lime.

Ice makers and water dispensers on the refrigerator do require regular maintenance.