Maintaining your refrigerator is critical to keeping your kitchen clean and your utility bills low. A fridge that is not properly maintained will consume more electricity than necessary. According to refrigerator repair professionals, preventative maintenance lets you detect a problem before it grows or worsens to the point where it can no longer be repaired.

You also risk not maintaining appropriate temperatures within the fridge, allowing food to degrade faster. Suboptimal temperatures can also cause mold to grow in various compartments and waterlines.

To keep your fridge in top shape, you have to be strategic in organizing your maintenance schedule. To help you out, here is how to go about it:

Tasks you should do every month

You don’t have to be a skilled repair professional for efficient preventive maintenance. There are simple actions you can complete once a month to protect your most vital kitchen appliance. These tasks include:

Deep clean the fridge

Many people keep putting it off, but deep cleaning the refrigerator does not take as long as you think. Usually, you don’t even need to keep anything in a cooler. Remove everything from your refrigerator and arrange it on the counter in a single stack.

Make sure you remove and clean all of the shelves. Use an all-surface cleanser or a vinegar-based solution to remove organic residue from spills and seepage. Next, clean the fridge’s walls, the top and bottom of each shelf, and the inside of the drawers.

Get rid of the spoiled food.

Pay attention to what goes into the refrigerator as you refill it. As a rule of thumb, discard any food, beverages, or containers that have been there for at least a month or that you do not recall putting in the first place.

Check expiration dates regularly to avoid storing ruined food. This way, you can prevent mistakenly consuming or drinking something you shouldn’t. This strategy can also assist in avoiding unattractive and harmful mold development and contamination.

Ensure the vents are clear and open

No containers or bags should obstruct the vents between the freezer and refrigerator. This is where the chilly air comes from, so these sections require adequate ventilation.

Things to do every few months

You should strive to go through these processes at least twice a year if not more. These steps are crucial for keeping your fridge in peak condition for an extended period.

Test your door seals.

Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors every two to three months. First, take a few minutes to clean the seals and remove debris. After cleaning, check the seals for wear and tear or breakage.

A simple solution is to close the fridge door with a $1 bill. After you close the door, try to remove the bill without opening it. If you can remove it, you may need to repair your door seals in poor condition.

Swap out the water filters.

You should replace these filters every three to nine months, depending on how much water or ice you use. A good rule of thumb is to update your water filter every six months.

Clean the coils

The coils on the rear of your refrigerator are responsible for heat removal. You’ll need to relocate your refrigerator to access the coils, and you should disconnect it before cleaning them. Then, use a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush to remove the dust.

Clear out the drain pan

To eliminate condensation, your refrigerator employs a drain hole and a drip pan. Your owner’s manual should include instructions for removing mineral deposits from the drain hole. You’ll also need to empty the drip pan and remove any debris.

What to do once a year

Defrost the freezer

When your freezer or refrigerator has accumulated frost, empty it. A small amount of ice on the walls of your freezer is acceptable. However, if there is enough ice to block away space for food, you may encounter difficulty. Defrost the refrigerator entirely, using glasses of warm water to speed up the process.

Wipe off the defrosted walls with vinegar and consider changing your fridge settings to reduce frost buildup in the long run. If the buildup occurs quickly (over a few days or weeks), you may need to have the entire defrost system serviced.

Confirm the fridge is on level.

Use a bubble level to test the top of the refrigerator from all four corners. If the fridge isn’t level, move the feet in or out until they are. This movement enhances food storage and cooling efficiency, preventing the door from swinging open or closing.

Be on the lookout for common problems.

Even when undertaking preventative maintenance, you should be alert for any issues. Numerous warning indicators indicate that your refrigerator is malfunctioning. Recognizing these early warning signs allows you to address a problem before it worsens.

These signs include:

Excessive condensation: Too much condensation indicates your refrigerator isn’t cooling correctly. If condensation accumulates in or around the fridge, call a repairman to keep your food from rotting.

Cold spots: Certain areas of the refrigerator may be colder than others. For example, the top shelf may be frozen while the bottom is warm, or vice versa. Cold spots in your refrigerator can ruin food or cause extra thawing during dinner preparation.

Food spoiling too quickly: Your food may decay considerably faster than the expiration date suggests. Fast spoiling indicates that your refrigerator is not maintaining the proper temperature to preserve and keep items fresh.

Overheating motor: Overheating from the engine indicates that the refrigerator is working harder than necessary. Excessive heat in the condenser might cost hundreds of dollars in electricity.

Excessive condensation: Too much condensation usually indicates that your refrigerator isn’t cooling correctly. If condensation accumulates in or around the fridge, call an experienced appliance repair Alexandria professional to keep your food from rotting.

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