How to Clean a Waterpik with Vinegar

Hello, dental hygiene enthusiasts! Today, I’d like to talk to you about an essential topic for any Waterpik or oral irrigator fan: how to clean a Waterpik with vinegar. I’ll go over everything you need to know to keep your Waterpik working at 100% and lasting for years. As always, all from personal experience.

Why is it Important to Clean Your Waterpik?

If you’ve invested in a Waterpik, you know it’s one of the best tools for keeping your teeth and gums free of food particles and bacteria. But beware: without proper cleaning, it can accumulate bacteria, mould, and limescale deposits, which affect both its performance and your health

Benefits of Cleaning Your Waterpik with Vinegar

Why vinegar? It’s a natural, cost-effective, and highly effective cleaner for dissolving limescale and eliminating bacteria. While there are other methods, I personally recommend vinegar because:

– Removes mineral residues: Being acidic, vinegar easily dissolves scale.
– Safe and natural: Free from harsh chemicals, essential for a device you use daily for your oral health.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Waterpik with Vinegar

I’ll break down the process into several steps. The entire cleaning should take about 15-20 minutes, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Step 1: Prepare the Waterpik for Cleaning

– Unplug the Waterpik: Safety first.
– Disassemble the parts: Remove the reservoir, handle, and tip of the irrigator. Each part needs specific cleaning.

Step 2: Clean the Water Reservoir

The reservoir is where mineral deposits tend to accumulate the most. To clean it:

– Fill the reservoir with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.
– Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This will help the vinegar dissolve accumulated limescale and bacteria.
– Clean the reservoir with a soft brush or sponge.

Step 3: Clean the Waterpik Tips

Tips are often the most neglected part, but they’re key to your Waterpik’s effectiveness. Here’s what to do:

– Soak the tips in vinegar for about 5 minutes.
– Gently scrub them with an old toothbrush.
– Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Step 4: Internal Cleaning with Vinegar

– Unplug the Waterpik: Safety first.
– Disassemble the parts: Remove the reservoir, handle, and tip of the irrigator. Each part needs specific cleaning.

Extra Tip: Cleaning Frequency

To keep your Waterpik in top condition, I recommend a deep clean with vinegar at least every 1 to 3 months, depending on your area’s water type. If you have hard water, cleaning should be more frequent.

Other Methods to Clean a Waterpik (and Why Vinegar is the Best)

Although there are other methods (like using hydrogen peroxide or specialised cleaners), vinegar has given me the best results without spending much or using harsh chemicals.
Please check out our guide on how to clean a waterpik.