Category Archives: Cleaning & Organization Tips

Refrigerator Storage Hacks

Refrigerator full of food close up

Do you struggle to fit all of your food in your refrigerator? You’re not alone. Most of us don’t have a real organization system for our fridge. Luckily, Speedy Refrigerator Service is here to help you maximize your storage space. Just follow these tips:

Rearrange your shelves.

Most refrigerators come with adjustable shelves – use these to your advantage to fit oversized or oddly-shaped items. You most likely buy the same types of food more often than not, so taking the time to rearrange your shelves once can make storage easier for years to come.

Opt for square, stackable containers.

Many of us utilize containers to store leftover food, but did you know that circular ones waste room because they don’t have corners? To maximize storage space in your refrigerator, use square or rectangular containers which can easily be stacked atop one another.

Know what doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

The easiest way to store more food in your refrigerator is by making more room. The easiest way to do this is by removing food which doesn’t need to be there. Many foods, such as bread and apples for example, are commonly stored in the refrigerator when they don’t need to be. Check out this list to see if you are keeping unnecessary foods in your fridge.

Regularly clean out your refrigerator.

This goes hand-in-hand with the last point about making more room. If you aren’t routinely cleaning out your refrigerator, you could be wasting space by storing items that have already expired. A good refrigerator cleaning routine involves removing all food from the fridge and wiping down the interior. Replace the food while throwing out any items that may have spoiled since your last cleaning.

Speedy Refrigerator Service is a New York-based refrigerator repair company. We have more than 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators and freezers across Long Island and New York City. Call us at 866-782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment with one of our licensed technicians.

5 Refrigerator Commandments

5 Refrigerator Commandments

If you want to keep your refrigerator clean, energy efficient, and running for a long time, just follow these five commandments from Speedy Refrigerator Service:

1). Thou shall vacuum thy condenser coils.

The condenser coils have a huge impact on the energy efficiency of your refrigerator, yet they are still neglected by most people. Clean them using the brush attachment on your vacuum every six months to keep your fridge running efficiently and extend its lifespan.

2). Thou shall practice safe food storage.

The biggest rule you need to know for safe refrigerator food storage is that your fridge should consistently be between 34-38° F. Some areas – such as the door – can get warmer than others, so you should stock your items accordingly. Here is the best way to stock your refrigerator.

3). Thou shall pay attention to the gasket.

The gasket, also known as the rubber seal around your refrigerator door, creates an airtight barrier between the inside of your refrigerator and the kitchen. One small rip or loose edge in the gasket can allow warm air to enter when the door is closed, so it is important to inspect it for damage every 4-6 weeks.

4). Thou shall not overstock or understock thy refrigerator.

The amount of food you keep in your refrigerator can impact its energy efficiency. When there is too little food, your refrigerator loses more cold air when the door is opened due to the lack of thermal mass. On the other hand, when there is too much food in the refrigerator, air can’t properly circulate and warm spots can be created.

5). Thou shall clean thy refrigerator monthly.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, but the refrigerator is one of the biggest bacteria hotspots in the home. Keep it tidy and limit germs by giving it a thorough cleaning every month that includes emptying the fridge of its contents and wiping all walls, shelves, and drawers with a disinfecting wipe.

Even if you follow these rules to a T, your refrigerator could still break down. Luckily for you, the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can get you back up-and-running within 24 hours. If you live in New York City or Long Island, call us to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

Is Your Refrigerator as Clean as You Think It Is?

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When you think of the dirtiest areas in your home, you probably picture your toilet or bathtub. But have you considered your refrigerator?

If not, it’s time to start thinking about it. Better Homes & Gardens released a list of the top ten dirtiest areas in the home, and the refrigerator made the list. Twice.

Not only is the inside of your fridge covered in germs in bacteria, but so is the outside – particularly the handle, which is one of the most frequently touched surfaces in your home.

The most concerning part about this is that your fridge holds your food. The lack of sanitation in our refrigerators could help explain why nearly 50 million Americans experience food poisoning every year.

If you want to clean up your fridge, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Cleanings should be monthly. You should give your refrigerator a thorough cleaning every 2-4 weeks. Don’t cut any corners, either. Empty your fridge, wipe down all walls, shelves, and drawers with a soapy solution, and replace your food. Throw away anything which has expired.

  • Don’t forget the exterior. As mentioned earlier, the refrigerator handle can be just as dirty – if not dirtier – than the inside. Make sure to clean the handles and entire exterior with a disinfectant wipe.

  • Vacuum your condenser coils. This isn’t for sanitary reasons, but vacuuming your coils every six months helps reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of your appliance.

Speedy Refrigerator Service has been serving Long Island and New York City for over 75 years. Our technicians are fully licensed, insured, and prepared to fix any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler. Call us to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

How to Get Rid of Your Refrigerator Odors

Upset housewife with foul meal

Think about all of the food that sits in your refrigerator on a daily basis. Fruits, vegetables, raw meat, eggs, cheese, and leftover Chinese – it’s no surprise that you will deal with unpleasant odors from time to time. If your refrigerator is reeking to high heavens, here’s how to squash the stench.

Remove the source of the smell.

What’s causing your fridge to stink so bad? Rotten eggs? Spoiled milk? Expired meat? Whatever it is, get it out of your refrigerator and into the outside garbage ASAP. If the source of the smell isn’t obvious, a full clean out may be in order.

Open a box of baking soda.

Baking soda has been used as a deodorizer for decades. Your mom, and even your grandma, probably had a box of it in the fridge at one point. Just open up a new box of baking soda, stick it in the refrigerator, and let it naturally absorb any smells. You should notice the difference within 24 hours.

Use air-tight containers.

One way to prevent refrigerator odors is by storing all of your food in air-tight containers. Sure, it’s easier to put the leftover pizza in the fridge in the box that it came in, but putting it in a container first will prevent your fridge from smelling like day-old pepperoni.

Speedy Refrigerator Service is New York’s premier refrigerator repair service. With over 75 years of experience, trust our licensed technicians to fix any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, or ice maker. We offer 24/7 coverage and guarantee one-hour service to Long Island, Queens, and New York City. Schedule your in-home repair today by calling 866-782-9376.

How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

One of the biggest interior design trends over the last 20 years is the rise of stainless steel appliances in the home. They are a beautiful centerpiece and can complement any kitchen, but they are also fingerprint magnets. Luckily for you, getting that shiny surface back only requires some dish detergent, olive oil, and a few minutes of your time.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

You will need an empty spray bottle, three microfiber cloths, some olive oil, and your dish detergent of choice.

Step 2: Combine dish detergent and warm water in the spray bottle.

A few drops of dish detergent will do the trick. Fill the rest with warm water and shake around until it suds up.

Step 3: Identify the direction of the grain.

Just like wood, stainless steel has a grain. Look closely at your stainless steel appliances for small striations that run either up-and-down or left-and-right. This is the grain.

Step 4: Spray the stainless steel with your cleaning solution.

Use a microfiber cloth to work the solution into the stainless steel appliance. Make sure to wipe in the same direction of the grain.

Step 5: Use a second microfiber cloth to dry the surface.

After you have removed all of the fingerprints and stains with the cleaning solution, use a new microfiber cloth to dry your appliance. Avoid using a paper towel, which can leave behind linty streaks.

Step 6: Polish with olive oil.

Your stainless steel appliance will be clean, but take an extra minute to really make it shine! Put a dab of olive oil on your third microfiber cloth, and spread it around until it covers the entire stainless steel surface. Then, buff the oil by moving the cloth in small, circular motions. Make sure to apply a substantial amount of pressure. Remove excess oil with a dry cloth.

No matter how clean your refrigerator is, it’s useless if it can’t keep your food cold. If your fridge just isn’t staying cool, call the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We have over 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers in the New York City area. Call us any time at 866-782-9376.