The refrigerator is one of those hard-working appliances that we don’t normally think so much about – except if something goes wrong. All appliances must have regular maintenance and cleaning to keep working properly; your refrigerator and freezer are no exception. Overlooking basic refrigerator maintenance could not only shorten the useful life of the appliance but, on top of that, bring about unneeded and pricey repairs, additionally.
Whether you have issues with your fridge or want to make sure it keeps on humming, this guide can be useful! We’ll review fridge maintenance and cleaning basics and some easy fixes to the usual problems and difficulties.
Basic Refrigerator Maintenance
One of the effective ways to keep your refrigerator and freezer in good shape is to clean them both appropriately various times a year. Many of us understand that we should be wiping out the fridge’s inside if things get filthy, but remember, there are other areas you should be cleaning regularly to be certain that the fridge keeps working well.
Proper refrigerator maintenance covers cleaning the coils behind the fridge once or twice a year. These coils are important for the reason that they can be helpful to keep your refrigerator’s motor working efficiently. To clean the coils, unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall. Then open up the back of the fridge and vacuum out any dust or debris you see. If the dust seems rather stuck on, you can utilize a dry paintbrush to wipe it off the coils.
It’s moreover significant to clean the door seals consistently because these seals help your refrigerator keep a constant internal temperature. To clean the seals, open the fridge or freezer door and use a damp cloth to wipe between the folds of the seal.
One last note, keep in mind to wipe down the whole inside and outside of your fridge and freezer, too. The CDC recommends making use of hot, soapy water or, to disinfect, a solution made from 1 tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Either will kill bacteria and leave your refrigerator bright clean!
Common Problems and Fixes
Even with regular maintenance and cleaning, refrigerators can suffer from a range of ailments. Here are some common solutions:
- Freezer Frost
- Frozen Food
- Lukewarm Food
Frost in the freezer. If you’ve seen a buildup of frost or ice crystals inside your freezer, the probabilities are that your freezer door isn’t sealing tightly enough. Whenever a freezer door doesn’t have a tight seal, water can get inside, freeze, and form frost. When that occurs, it’s relevant to defrost the freezer completely and then clean it using the steps above. To defrost a freezer, unplug it, open the door, and wait for the ice to melt on its own. This should be accomplished at least once a year. Though if you should defrost more frequently, it could be time to replace the seal.
Food freezing in the refrigerator. If you have food in the fridge that tends to freeze, particularly toward the back, you may have temperature control or thermostat issues. The simplest way to iron out the issues is to locate and adjust the thermostat in your fridge. However, if you’ve tried that and still spot frozen food in the refrigerator, you should look into hiring a handyman.
The refrigerator is not cold enough. If the food in your fridge spoils quickly or doesn’t appear very cold, that is a concern that will have to be addressed immediately. A fridge that doesn’t appear to get cold could be having issues related to dirty coils, an incorrectly set thermostat, or a faulty thermostat. The first two fixes are things anyone can do themselves. (A defective thermostat will most likely need to be repaired by a professional.)
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