When the power goes out, what’s one of the first things you worry about? Losing all the food in your refrigerator is most likely one of the first things. Unfortunately, a loss of power isn’t the only reason why you might have refrigerator issues.
If you don’t keep up with the proper refrigerator maintenance needed for your specific refrigerator, then you could be left with a broken fridge and the loss of a lot of food inside it. No one wants to discover their refrigerator has broken down. Luckily, with a few refrigerator maintenance tips, you won’t have to.
Continue reading to learn how to make your refrigerator last longer and how to keep your food fresh!
1. Clean the Coils
The coils on your refrigerator are most likely located in the back of it or in the front, behind the grill. You can check with the manufacturer to determine the coils’ location, or you can check to see if you can find them. If they’re in the back, then you’ll need to pull the refrigerator away from the wall to access them.
Over time, these coils gather up loose debris, dust, and dirt. If they’re not cleaned, then the dirty coils can negatively affect how the refrigerator runs. To clean them, you can use one of the hand tools on your vacuum cleaner.
Be sure to do this at least twice every year.
2. Clean the Ice Machine
You’ll need to clean the ice machine as well. Skipping over this step during your regular refrigerator maintenance can cause it to have issues later on. To clean it, you’ll first want to unplug the refrigerator.
Then, remove the ice bin, empty it, and clean it out with a cloth. Leave it out to dry or use a clean cloth to dry it. You’ll then want to wipe out the inside of the ice machine and ensure it’s well dried.
Do your best to ensure no moisture is left when you’re done. You should also avoid using any harsh chemicals to clean it.
3. Clean the Gaskets
The gaskets are located on the door of the refrigerator. They should be cleaned each time you clean out your refrigerator. Otherwise, clean them at least twice a year.
You can use a solution of water and baking soda to clean them well. An old toothbrush is a great tool to scrub them with. When done, be sure to dry them.
After closing the door, do take the time to ensure the gaskets are holding the seal tight. If the door isn’t sealed tightly, then the cold air from inside could be finding its way out. This will cause it to work harder than usual and lead to problems down the road.
4. Switch Out the Filters
If your refrigerator has an ice maker or a water dispenser in it, then you’ll need to change out the filters on a regular basis. To get more information about the type of filters needed, you can use this filter finder. On average, fridge filters should be switched every six months.
Clean filters will keep your ice and your water clean. They’ll also help keep these parts of your refrigerator running smoothly.
5. Change the Temperature
When’s the last time you checked the temperature settings on your refrigerator? Do you tend to change the temperature often? What’s the temperature currently set at?
You might feel as though keeping it as cold as possible is a good way to ensure everything stays cold, but the truth is you don’t need to place it on the coldest setting for the best results. Forcing your refrigerator to keep the temperature at an extreme low will force it to work harder than needed.
Instead, it’s best to keep it between 37 and 40°. The freezer can be kept at 0°. With these temperatures, your food will remain fresh and your refrigerator will remain in good working condition.
6. Keep It Full of Food
An empty fridge will have to work harder to keep it at the right temperature. If you hesitate to fill up your fridge because you feel it won’t be able to keep everything cool, then it’s time to end your worries.
A good amount of food in the refrigerator will make sure the warm air is absorbed when you open the door and it won’t have to work as hard. The more food the better!
Do be sure to keep the food covered, and don’t place hot food in it either. Wait until the food has cooled down before placing it inside. This way, it’s not filling the fridge with hot air that it’ll then need to overwork itself to bring the temperature back down.
7. Hire Professional Maintenance
Even after following all these maintenance tips, if you’re still experiencing some type of refrigerator issue, then it could be time to hire professional refrigerator maintenance. The professionals can make repairs, replace parts, and conduct proper maintenance.
If you have a professional come in, then that’s also a great time to ask about all the different things you can do on your own to keep it running smoothly.
Keep up With Your Refrigerator Maintenance Today
Don’t skip your refrigerator when doing your regular cleaning. Your fridge needs just as much attention as any other appliance. Be sure to keep up with your refrigerator maintenance today by following the tips listed here in this guide.
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