6 Ways to Keep your Fridge in Top Condition

Image courtesy of alachia/Flickr.

When your refrigerator is in top condition you don’t have to worry about it suddenly shutting down and you can even avoid expensive repairs. Here are six do-it-yourself maintenance tips you can use to keep your fridge working well.

Clean the Coils

Every few months, use a vacuum to remove dust around the coils. You’ll likely need to pull the refrigerator out from the wall and always unplug it before you clean it. Dust buildup inhibits the fridge from working properly, so it’s important that you keep the coils clean.

Clean and Check Door Seals

The seals around the doors on your refrigerator are meant to keep cool air inside. If they aren’t working right, cool air will leak which will force the refrigerator to work harder to maintain the right temperature. Use a damp rag to wipe the seals out regularly and then close a dollar bill in the door. If the bill slides out very easily, the seals should be inspected and repaired by a plumber on Long Island.

Defrost the Freezer

When ice starts to build up around your freezer, it doesn’t work as efficiently and it’s time to defrost it. Turn the freezer off, empty it and direct the drainage hose away from the appliance. Now, wait for the ice to melt and remove it as it softens. When you’re done you can wipe the freezer down and plug it back in.

Change the Filter

If your fridge has an icemaker or water dispenser, it probably has a filter that should be changed every few months. Skipping this step means the water that runs through the filter isn’t getting cleaned, and could even be made dirtier. Follow the directions that came with the fridge to find out how often to change the filter and how to do it safely.

Keep it Full, But not too Full

Refrigerators actually work better and keep your food cooler when there are more things inside them. But, if you pack your fridge too full, blocking the sides, it won’t work well and could actually cause problems. Purge the fridge of leftovers frequently to make sure it is working its best.

Have an Emergency Contact

If your refrigerator stops working, or if you have a power outage, avoid opening the doors and letting the cold air out. In most cases, the refrigerator will keep foods fresh for about 8 hours in the refrigerator and 48 hours in the freezer. Keep the name and phone number of a plumber on Long Island on your fridge so you can have it repaired as quickly as possible during an emergency.

These tips can help you keep your fridge in excellent condition. However, despite preventative care, emergencies do happen and fridges do need professional maintenance. We provide 24-hour emergency services and specialize in appliance repair, so contact us for professional refrigerator maintenance.