Your home refrigerator keeps your food fresh and your beverages cool by operating 24×7. Running continuously, however, may affect its performance and lifespan due to wear and tear.
You can avoid this by following some of the home refrigerator maintenance tips mentioned in this blog.
Maintenance Tips for Increasing Your Home Refrigerator’s Lifespan
Clean Your Refrigerator Coils Regularly
Why Clean Your Refrigerator Coils:
Your refrigerator coils keep it cool by allowing heat to dissipate as the refrigerant fluid passes through them. Over time, they can get clogged with debris, dirt, dust or pet hair, making the fridge work harder to cool. Cleaning them at regular intervals can restore your fridge’s cooling performance.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator Coils:
You can clean them by following the steps below:
- Unplug the refrigerator.
- Locate the coils, which can be at the back, rear bottom or behind the kickplate
- Use a vacuum with a brush-like attachment for overall cleaning, a coil brush for thorough cleaning and vacuuming again for the final touch
- Replace the covers, if removed.
- Replug the fridge
Inspect, Clean or Replace the Gaskets
Why Clean Your Gaskets:
These refrigerator parts lock the cool air inside by creating an airtight seal. Over time, however, they experience wear and tear or accumulate dirt, which can affect your refrigerator’s cooling performance.
Cleaning or replacing your gaskets helps you maintain your refrigerator’s operational capabilities and avoid cold-air leakage.
How to Clean Your Gaskets:
You can clean your gaskets by:
- Unplug your refrigerator and remove all perishable items to prevent spoilage
- Make a mixture of mild dishwasher soap and warm water
- Dunk a soft microfiber cloth in the mixture and wipe the gaskets gently from top to bottom for effective cleaning
- Let them dry
When to Replace Your Gaskets:
You may replace your gaskets when you notice the following signs:
- Doors not closing properly
- Tears or cracks
- Areas that feel loose
Clean Your Refrigerator’s Interiors Thoroughly
Why Clean Your Refrigerator’s Interiors:
Cleaning your refrigerator’s interiors ensures optimal airflow inside the refrigerator. Moreover, it also prevents the interior from getting stained or degraded due to residue from spoiled food.
How to Clean the Refrigerator’s Interiors:
You can clean your refrigerator’s interiors by following these steps:
- Remove all perishable items and shelves, compartment covers and drawers.
- Make a warm water and mild soap mixture and use it to clean the removable parts with a kitchen microfiber sponge
- Make a mixture of 1 liter of warm water and 2 tbsp of baking soda, and use another clean kitchen microfiber sponge to clean it
Furthermore, you may consider keeping a baking soda or ground coffee-filled container inside your fridge to prevent odor buildup.
Ensure Adequate Ventilation
Why Maintain Effective Refrigerator Ventilation:
Your refrigerator depends on effective distribution of cold air to keep your food and beverages cool. This is only possible with effective ventilation.
How to Maintain Effective Refrigerator Ventilation
- Identify all the vents
- Keep food at a distance of 2 inches from these vents
- Use the designated drawers and compartments to store the food
- Stock food such that only two-thirds of the refrigerator is full
- Keep your refrigerator in a space with 2-inch clearance on each side and 3 to 4 inches clearance at the back
- Leave the topmost vents of your refrigerator free
Take Care of Your Water Dispenser and Ice Maker
Why Take Care of Your Water Dispenser and Ice Maker:
These refrigerator parts contribute to a clean water supply and a steady supply of fresh ice cubes in your fridge. Replacing them periodically helps prevent mechanical problems and mineral buildup.
How to Take Care of Your Water Dispenser and Ice Maker:
You can take care of your water dispenser by:
- Replacing the water filter as per manufacturer’s instructions
- Wiping the nozzles with a solution of white vinegar
- Removing and washing the drip tray
- Washing and sanitizing the ice tray with a mild soap and water solution
- Discarding the first few glasses of water and first ice batch after filter replacements
Conclusion
Following a regular maintenance schedule allows you to extend your refrigerator’s lifespan and improve its performance. You can also take preventive steps to avoid and address potential issues before they become serious.
