The refrigerator is one of those hard-working appliances that we don’t largely think about – unless when something goes wrong. All appliances are supposed to have regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them working properly; your refrigerator and freezer are no exception. Not being able to have basic refrigerator maintenance could not only shorten the useful life of the appliance but in fact, create nonessential and highly-priced repairs, also.
Whether you have issues with your fridge or want to make sure it keeps on humming, this guide can actually help! We’ll reiterate fridge maintenance and cleaning basics and various easy fixes to typical problems.
Basic Refrigerator Maintenance
One of the best approaches to keep your refrigerator and freezer in good shape is to clean them both well over various times a year. Plenty of us are aware that we should be wiping out the fridges inside by the time things are really dirty, but certainly, there are other areas you should be cleaning regularly to always make sure that the fridge keeps working decently.
Proper refrigerator maintenance includes cleaning the coils behind the fridge once or twice a year. These coils are important considering that they support keeping 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 discover. If the dust seems fully stuck on, you can take advantage of a dry paintbrush to wipe it off the coils.
It’s, in like manner, critical to clean the door seals always given that these seals help your refrigerator keep a stable 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.
The last point, make sure to wipe down the whole inside and outside of your fridge and freezer, too. The CDC recommends taking advantage 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 glowingly clean!
Common Problems and Fixes
But, however, 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 detected a buildup of frost or ice crystals inside your freezer, the odds are that your freezer door isn’t sealing tightly enough. Every time a freezer door doesn’t have a tight seal, water can get inside, freeze, and form frost. When that takes place, it’s necessary 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 done at least once a year. But on the other hand, if you have to defrost more frequently, it can perhaps be time to replace the seal.
Food freezing in the refrigerator. If you have food in the fridge that tends to freeze, especially toward the back, you may have temperature control or thermostat issues. The effortless way to mend the problem is to locate and adjust the thermostat in your fridge. Though if you’ve tried that and still see 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 get very cold, that is an issue that will entail being 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 simple things anyone can do themselves. (A defective thermostat will most likely need to be repaired by a professional.)
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