Like
any appliance in your home, your refrigerator is an investment. Most
refrigerators are designed to last for about two decades, but not all
of them do. The brand and model of your fridge play a large role in
determining its lifespan, but how well you maintain it over the years
can be even more important. If you buy your refrigerator, plug it in,
then neglect it, you risk severely shortening its serviceable life.

The
experts at 24/7 Refrigerator Service have provided some basic
information on proper refrigerator maintenance and cleaning
techniques so that you can get the most out of your kitchen’s
most-used appliance. 

Clean condenser coils
every six months. Over time,
dust, hair, and other pollutants can coat the condenser coils on your
refrigerator. When this happens, it forces the refrigerator to work
harder than necessary, increasing your unit’s energy consumption and
putting unneeded wear-and-tear on it. To clean the coils, shut off
your refrigerator’s water supply lines (if you have any) and unplug
it from the outlet. Slide the fridge away from the wall and locate
the coils, usually positioned either underneath the unit or on its
rear. Thoroughly vacuum the coils with your cleaner’s hose attachment
until all noticeable buildup is gone. Plug the refrigerator back into
the wall, slide it back to its proper position, and reconnect any
water supply lines.

Clean & replace door
seal as needed. The rubber seal
around the door, known as the gasket, is a very important mechanism.
If this piece is loose, cracked, or damaged in any way, it allows
external warm air to enter the refrigerator. In turn, the fridge must
work harder to maintain its internal temperature. When you notice the
gasket getting dirty, wipe it down with a rag covered in water and a
mild cleaning detergent. While cleaning it, quickly inspect it for
cracks, tears, or loose edges. If there are any damages, gaskets are
quick, easy, and cheap to replace. Replacing a gasket when you notice
it is flawed will save you from months of higher electricity bills
and potentially long term wear-and-tear to your refrigerator.

Defrost your freezer as
needed. When the frost on the
walls of your freezer becomes ½ an inch thick, it is time for a
defrost. To do this, remove all of the food in your refrigerator and
freezer and unplug the unit. Once the frost has completely melted,
wipe the inside dry and plug it back in. Once it has reached its
normal operating temperature, you can restock it with your fresh and
frozen foods.

Clean the drip pan every
month. Many newer refrigerator
models are “auto-defrosting”. These models heat up the interior
walls every eight hours or so in order to melt any ice that had
accumulated on them. The water then drains into a pan at the bottom
of the refrigerator. Most of this water evaporates, but it is still
recommended to clean this pan with soap and warm water once a month
to prevent the growth of bacteria. On most models, the drip pan can
be accessed by detaching the kickplate from the bottom of the front
of the unit. 

Check for spoiled food
and spills daily. In order to
prevent bacteria growth and unpleasant odors in your refrigerator,
you should check it every day in order to make sure that there is no
spoiled food sitting there. Also, do a quick eye test for anything
that may have recently spilled or leaked. Cleaning up messes as soon
as you notice them is much quicker than after allowing the food to
sit and harden. It will also prevent the food from developing a
stench and attracting bacteria.

Clean the interior every
three months. While you should
clean any obvious spills, leaks, or messes in your refrigerator right
away, you should also give the entire interior a thorough cleaning
seasonally. To do this, take all of the food out of your refrigerator
followed by any removable shelves and drawers. Clean all pieces in
the sink with warm water and dish soap and allow them to air dry.
Wipe the walls and other interior surfaces of the refrigerator with
the cleaning agent of your choice. Make sure everything is dry before
replacing the shelves and drawers in your refrigerator. Go through
your food and throw away anything that has spoiled or expired, and
place the remaining food back in the fridge.

Replace filters every six
months. If your refrigerator
has an automatic ice maker or water dispenser, it will have filters
that should be replaced twice per year. Every refrigerator is
different, instructions for your particular model should be included
in the instruction manual.

Following
these steps will ensure that you maximize the lifespan of your
refrigerator. However, no matter how well you maintain your
appliances, they will eventually need repair. When that time comes,
you can always call 24/7 Refrigerator Service. Open 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, we can be at your door within an hour if you live in the
tri-state area. You can also like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get more insightful tips and stay up to date on company
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