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The Comprehensive Guide to Mold in Your Refrigerator

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Nobody ever wants to find mold growing in their refrigerator, but it is bound to happen to some of us. This guide tells you everything you need to know about mold in your fridge; including where to look for it and how to kill it.

What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow virtually anywhere, indoors or outside. Mold spreads by reproducing microscopic spores. When humans come in contact with these spores, they can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, headaches, and respiratory infections.

Several thousands of different types of mold exist, ranging from green fuzz to black slime. All of them have one thing in common, though: you don’t want to find any of them growing in your refrigerator.

Why does mold grow in refrigerators?

Your refrigerator provides favorable conditions for mold to grow and reproduce. It is a dark environment with minimal air circulation and a lot of moisture (a key factor in mold growth). Some places that mold is known to grow in the refrigerator include:

  • Interior walls and shelves. Mold can grow anywhere on the inside walls or shelves of your refrigerator, especially if there is pooling water that isn’t immediately cleaned up.

  • On your food. If you have ever left something in the refrigerator for far too long, you have seen firsthand how mold can grow on your food.

  • On the gasket. The gasket, also known as the rubber door seal is a common hiding place for mold.

What do I do if there is mold in my fridge?

Don’t panic if you spot mold growing in your refrigerator. In most cases, it can safely be removed with a little bit of baking soda, warm water, and 20 minutes of your time. Just follow these steps:

  1. Remove all food from your refrigerator. Throw away any items that the mold has come in direct contact with, as well as any uncovered foods in close proximity. Unopened foods stored in airtight containers can safely be kept.

  2. In a bucket, combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water.

  3. Dip a clean cloth in the bucket, and begin wiping down all of your refrigerator’s walls, shelves, and drawers. Gently scrub these areas until all visible signs of mold growth are gone. As a precaution, also wipe the outside of food containers and plastic packaging.

  4. Pour out the baking soda solution, and refill the bucket with warm water.

  5. Using a new cloth, wipe down every surface that came in contact with the baking soda solution. Repeatedly dip the cloth in the warm water until there is no trace of baking soda in your refrigerator.

  6. Thoroughly dry the interior and replace your food.

Speedy Refrigerator Service provides same-day refrigerator and freezer repairs to the New York City area. Our technicians are fully licensed and insured, and we offer one-hour service to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

All About the Different Styles of Refrigerators

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If you are thinking about purchasing a new refrigerator for your home, one of the first things you will have to consider is style. Generally speaking, there are four different types of refrigerators: top freezers, bottom freezers, side by side, and French door.

Each of these styles offers its own unique set of pros and cons, which we will cover below.

Top Freezer

The top freezer layout is probably what you picture when you think of a refrigerator. In this style, the frozen food compartment sits atop the fresh foods section. It is the most common type of refrigerator.

Pros

  • Cheapest to buy and repair

  • Most usable space

Cons

  • Wide-swinging doors require more room to be opened fully

  • Less optional features than other styles

Bottom Freezer

The top freezer refrigerator flipped upside down. This model features the frozen food section at the bottom of the appliance, usually accessible via pull-out drawer.

Pros

  • Puts the fresh food section at eye level

  • Energy-efficient

Cons

  • More expensive than top freezer models

  • Have to bend down to access freezer

Side By Side

Side by side refrigerators are exactly what they sound like. Instead of being divided into a top and bottom section, they are split left and right with two doors that open from the middle.

Pros

  • Both fresh and frozen compartments are at a convenient height

  • Most freezer space

Cons

  • Less space in the fresh food section

  • Not energy-efficient

French Door

A hybrid of the bottom freezer and side by side styles. This three-door refrigerator has two fresh food doors at the top, and a pull-out freezer at the bottom.

Pros

  • Wide variety of available features

  • Narrow doors do not require much room to open

Cons

  • Most expensive style

No matter what type of refrigerator you have, Speedy Refrigerator Service can fix it. Our technicians are licensed and knowledgeable enough to fix any style, make, or model of refrigerator. If you live in New York City, Nassau County, or Suffolk County, and are experiencing fridge problems, call us any time at 866-782-9376.

How To Fix A Leaky Fridge

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Almost everything in your kitchen is prone to leaking – the sink, the dishwasher, even the refrigerator.

Fortunately for you, not all leaky refrigerators require expensive repairs. In fact, you can fix many leaks yourself by using the simple step-by-step instructions below.

Why is my refrigerator leaking?

Often times, when you notice water pooling in or around your refrigerator, it isn’t actually leaking. Refrigerators produce a large amount of condensation. When everything is working, this condensation runs down a drain tube into a drip pan under the appliance, where it evaporates unnoticed. However, when your fridge is “leaking”, it is likely that this water just isn’t draining properly.

This is primarily due to two reasons: a clogged drain tube or an unlevel refrigerator. Here is how to fix both.

How to fix an unlevel refrigerator

  1. Pull off the toe grille at the base of the refrigerator.

  2. Using a flathead screwdriver, adjust the legs until your refrigerator is even. Turning the screwdriver clockwise will raise the leg, counterclockwise will lower it.

  3. Use a level to make sure your refrigerator is even, and snap the toe grille back into place.

How to fix a clogged drain tube

  1. Unplug the refrigerator.

  2. Remove the crisper drawers from the unit. You should see the drain tube on the bottom of the back wall.

  3. A piece of ice is likely the culprit for the clog. Use a hair dryer to melt it, or poke it out with a Q-tip or a pipe cleaner.

  4. Flush the tube with warm water.

  5. Replace the crisper drawers and plug your refrigerator in.

Not all refrigerator leaks are so simple to fix – sometimes, you will need to call in a licensed professional. If you live in New York City, Nassau County, or Suffolk County, look no further than Speedy Refrigerator Service. We can fix any make or model of refrigerator and offer 24/7 emergency service. Call us any time at 866-782-9376.

How To Keep Your Food & Dairy Fresh For Longer

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Fresh Food In Garbage Can To Illustrate Waste

Did you know that 40% of all food in America goes uneaten? Whether it’s tossed out or left to rot, we are wasting billions of dollars worth of food every year. Some sources estimate that as much as 20 pounds of food per person is wasted every month!

One of the biggest reasons for this waste is the improper storage. Use these tips after your next trip to the grocery store to keep your food fresh for longer and reduce your waste:

  • Save the bottom shelf for foods susceptible to spoiling. The bottom shelf is generally the coldest spot in your refrigerator. Reserve this area for items that expire quickly, such as raw meats and dairy products.

  • Reserve the door for condiments and bottled water. Every time you open your refrigerator door, the ambient air of the kitchen warms up the items stored on it. These temperatures often reach 40° or higher, so save this space for items resistant to spoiling, such as condiments and bottled water.

  • Get your food to the fridge as soon as possible. The longer refrigerated food sits at room temperature, the quicker it goes bad. Do everything you can to get your food back into the refrigerator as soon as possible after buying it from the store. This includes doing things like putting refrigerated items in your cart last, and going straight home from the market.

  • Keep your fruits and vegetables separated. Most refrigerators come with two independent crisper drawers – one for your fruits, and one for your vegetables. It is wise to keep them separated. This is because most fruits produce ethylene as they ripen, a gas which causes most vegetables to spoil.

  • Make sure your refrigerator is at the right temperature. In order to keep your food fresh for as long as possible, it is important that your refrigerator is set to the right temperature. The optimal temperature range is between 34-38° F, anything higher than that promotes bacteria growth.

Are you noticing that all the food in your refrigerator is going bad before its expiration date? It could be due to a temperature malfunction. If you live on Long Island or in New York City, call the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We can repair any make or model of refrigerator, and guarantee one-hour service. Call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

A Simple DIY Tune-Up For Your Refrigerator

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When it comes to keeping your refrigerator running, a little bit of maintenance can go a long way. You can not only extend the lifespan of your appliance, but also improve it’s energy efficiency with this simple DIY tune up.

Step One: Clean the interior.
A clean refrigerator starts with the inside. Remove all food items from your refrigerator and thoroughly wipe down the interior walls, shelves, and drawers. Discard any expired food items and restock your fridge. This will help prevent bacteria growth and unpleasant odors.

Step Two: Vacuum the condenser coils.
The condenser coils are located on the back of most units. These long, windy tubes are responsible for releasing heat. When they are coated in dust, they cannot effectively do this, and your refrigerator will suffer. Clean these coils using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Step Three: Clean and lubricate the gasket.
The rubber door seal (known as the gasket) is usually one of the first components to break on most refrigerators. Inspect yours for cracks, holes, and loose edges. If you notice any of these signs, replace the gasket immediately. Otherwise, wipe it down with a soapy cloth and apply a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent it from drying out.

Step Four: Replace the water filter.
When was the last time you replaced your water filter? A dirty filter can lead to dirty water and ice. Not only does it taste bad, you could be exposing yourself to harmful bacteria. Changing the filter is an easy process; refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions for your model.

This routine should be performed every 3-6 months for a healthy, happy refrigerator!

Speedy Refrigerator Service provides in-home refrigerator repairs and tune ups to residents of Long Island and New York City. We specialize in all makes and models of refrigerators, freezers, wine coolers, and ice makers. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime to schedule an appointment at 866-782-9376.