5 Tips on How to Care for your Refrigerator

A refrigerator is a high-value purchase and often they are in the family for years!  To get the best result from your refrigerator we have a look here at the top 5 tips on how to care for a refrigerator. 

Like any item of electrical equipment, your refrigerator will serve you better, be more efficient, and last longer, if you put some thought into how you use it, and how you look after it.

Cleaning

This sounds simple, right? You wipe down the shelves?  Well, once every six months take that a bit further. 

• When was the last time you cleaned the door seals?  To keep the seal effective, the cold in and the heat out, the door seals need to be doing the job – and to do that they need to be clean.  The easiest and quickest way is to use a solution of baking soda and water, and a toothbrush.  Got to love a toothbrush – they never get thrown away, just converted for cleaning jobs and they are perfect for this one. 
• Every six months clean your coils.  Pull the machine out, and using your vacuum cleaner attachment, and a long-handled brush if you need to, give the coils a good clean.  If they are covered in the dust then they just will not work effectively, and every time the fridge isn’t working effectively it is costing you money.  You will find the coils either at the back or, on some models, underneath a grill at the bottom of the front.
• Don’t neglect the inside.  Marks and stains will become harder to remove the longer they are in place, and neglected spills will become sticky.  Use hot water and an all-purpose cleaner and give everything a good wipe down once a week.

Maintenance

Many parts can be replaced without the need to replace the entire unit.  You can buy door seals, replacement coils and replacement shelving.  If you have a non-working part it is worth checking it out to see if the part can be replaced rather than you going to the expense of a whole new refrigerator.

If your fridge has an ice maker or a water dispenser, then it has a filter.  These are designed to be replaced – check your manufacturer’s instructions – and, as they are dispensing a product you ingest it’s definitely worth following the guidelines.

Keep it Full

When you open your fridge the cold air comes out – and warm air goes in.  The fuller it is, the less warm air has to be cooled every time.  Nice and full = efficient.

Make Sure It’s Level

The doors are designed to be closed on a level unit.  Sounds obvious?  You would be amazed how many refrigerators are not kept level causing warping in the doors, and a poor seal.  Check it, using a level not just your eyesight, and make sure that you have it set up nice and level.

Defrost your Freezer

Your refrigerator may have an auto-defrost feature, most modern units do – your instruction manual will tell you.  If it doesn’t have an auto-defrost feature though you will need to switch off the power supply and allow the frost in the freezer to defrost.  Make sure that you put towels or similar down on the floor – it will make a mess otherwise.

Caring for your refrigerator is not too time consuming, or complicated, but like all household appliances, it is worth investing a little time and thought to ensure that you get the best use with the greatest efficiency.  Following these 5 tips on how to care for your refrigerator will make sure that you are getting the best possible service and don’t replace your equipment unnecessarily.