Cleaning your cooler before and after every use will help you get the best performance from your cooler. Warm water and regular dish detergent are all you need to clean your cooler, and thanks to the built-in drain on most Elite Coolers (the 20QT Elite Cooler does not feature a drain) it is easy to empty your cooler while you are cleaning it. In an extreme case, you can use a solution of bleach and water to clean out your cooler, but we don't recommend you exceed a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. If you are concerned about lingering odors, put a few drops of vanilla extract on a paper towel and give your cooler a quick wipe. Now that your cooler is clean, don't forget to let it fully dry before storing it away until the next time you need it.