Without refrigerators, our lifestyle would never be the same. It’s one of those home devices that you can never live without, which means that you have to take care of the same in the best possible manner so that you can continue to employ it for years to come.
Since your refrigerator works 24×7, spending a couple of minutes on your regular refrigerator maintenance wouldn’t hurt much. Therefore, to help you in your endeavor, we have compiled some of the best practices that you can pursue when it comes to maintaining your refrigerator.
Techniques To Follow When Taking Care Of Your Refrigerator
- Keeping The Coils Clean
You can find the refrigerator coils behind or underneath your refrigerator. These coils are mainly responsible for expelling & absorbing the heat from the inside of your fridge so that only the cold air can circulate inside of it.
The bad news is that – over time, these coils will get wrapped up in dust & debris, which will make the compressor work harder than before, for maintaining the same amount of coolness. So, according to a professional service provider offering home inspection in Keene, if you want to maintain your refrigerator at its optimum condition, you have to clean its coils first.
Before you proceed to clean the refrigerator coil, you have to first unplug the appliance from the electric socket. Once unplugged, you have to remove the covering so that the coils are exposed. After that, you can simply dust off the coils with a clean cloth or use a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment.
It’s suggested that you perform this cleaning procedure at least twice per year to keep your refrigerator working smoothly.
- Clean The Drip Pan Regularly
Most of the modern refrigerators don’t have to be defrosted because they tend to have mini heaters inside of them, which help in melting any accumulated ice periodically. The water from the melted ice is channeled towards a drip pan, usually located at the back of the refrigerator, and thus gets collected there.
The drip pan tends to be a hotbed of various mineral deposits, bacteria, mould, food particles and the like. Thus, you have to empty the drip pan regularly and keep your fridge clean.
- Regular Defrosting (Only For Old Refrigerator Models)
In case you have a non-frost-free refrigerator, which you have to manually defrost every time, then it’s suggested that you periodically turn it off, so that any accumulated ice melts away. Defrosting your fridge regularly will ensure that it stays efficient in its overall performance.
The ideal time to defrost your fridge would be during those days when you have very little food stocked inside of your refrigerator.
- Replace The Water Filter Regularly
If your fridge includes an ice maker or water dispenser, it should also have a water filter which you need to replace regularly. Replacing the water filter regularly will ensure that your refrigerator functions properly.
Moreover, a clean water filter also ensures that the water coming out of your fridge is suitable for human consumption and there’s no fear of bacteria or impurities. Water filters must be replaced at least once per six months.
- Ensure That The Door Gasket Is In Proper Condition
It should be known that the gasket around your refrigerator door is responsible for keeping the doors tightly shut and there’s no chance of moisture seeping out. Therefore, you have to ensure that the door gasket seal is working properly to make sure that your fridge is performing efficiently.
Furthermore, don’t forget to clean the gasket once in a while with a mixture of warm water & baking soda (or vinegar) along with a small brush.
So, by following the aforementioned tips, you’ll be able to keep your refrigerator in good shape.
