28 May 5 Top Tips for Keeping Your Refrigerator Running Smoothly

Maintaining your refrigerator is essential for ensuring its optimal performance. Regular maintenance helps keep your refrigerator running efficiently, prevents costly repairs, and extends the appliance’s lifespan. 

Following essential refrigerator maintenance tips can avoid unexpected breakdowns and ensure it operates smoothly for years. 

Educate yourself with these tips to keep your fridge in top condition.

Tip 1: Keep the Refrigerator Clean

Keeping your refrigerator clean, both inside and out, is crucial for maintaining its efficiency. A clean refrigerator looks better and operates more effectively, ensuring your food stays fresh, and your appliance runs smoothly.

How Often to Clean

• Interior: Clean the interior of your refrigerator at least once every three months. Remove all food items, shelves, and drawers.
• Exterior: Wipe down the exterior surfaces weekly to remove fingerprints, dust, and grime.

Cleaning Solutions

• Use mild dish soap and warm water for the interior and exterior. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the surfaces.
• For stubborn stains and odours inside the refrigerator, a solution of baking soda and water works well.
• Gently clean the inside of the drum, wash the seals with warm, soapy water, and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the seals if needed.

Benefits of a Clean Refrigerator

• Efficiency: A clean refrigerator can maintain a consistent temperature more effectively, reducing energy consumption.
• Hygiene: Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of bacteria and mould, ensuring a healthier environment for your food.
• Longevity: Keeping the refrigerator clean helps prevent wear and tear on the components, extending the appliance’s lifespan.

Following these refrigerator maintenance tips and keeping your appliance clean ensures it operates at peak efficiency and provides reliable service for many years.

Tip 2: Check and Maintain the Temperature Settings

Maintaining the correct temperature settings for your refrigerator and freezer is essential for energy efficiency and food preservation.

Ideal Temperature Settings

• Refrigerator Compartment: The ideal temperature range is between 37°F (3°C) and 40°F (4°C).
• Freezer Compartment: The optimal setting is 0°F (-18°C).

Benefits of Correct Temperature

• Energy Efficiency: When your refrigerator and freezer are set to the recommended temperatures, they work more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.
• Food Freshness: Proper temperature settings keep the food fresh longer, preventing spoilage and waste.

Monitoring and Adjusting Temperature

• Use a Thermometer: Place a refrigerator thermometer in the fridge and freezer compartments to accurately monitor the temperatures.
• Check Regularly: Make it a habit to check the temperatures weekly to ensure they remain within the ideal range.
• Adjust as Needed: If the temperatures are too high or too low, adjust the settings gradually. Most refrigerators have a dial or digital control panel for this purpose.

Tip 3: Inspect and Clean the Coils

Dirty coils can significantly reduce the efficiency of your refrigerator. The coils, typically located at the back or bottom of the appliance, help dissipate heat. When they are covered in dust and debris, the refrigerator has to work harder to keep cool, leading to increased energy consumption and potential overheating.

How Dirty Coils Affect Efficiency

• Reduced Cooling Efficiency: Dust and debris insulate the coils, preventing them from releasing heat effectively.
• Increased Energy Consumption: The refrigerator compensates by running longer and more frequently, which uses more energy.
• Potential Overheating: Overworked components can overheat, causing wear and potentially leading to costly repairs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Coils

1. Unplug the Refrigerator: Always disconnect the power before starting any maintenance to ensure safety.
2. Locate the Coils: Refer to your refrigerator’s manual to find the coil location, typically at the back or beneath the appliance.
3. Remove Debris: Use a coil brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to gently remove dust and debris from the coils.
4. Clean Up: Sweep or vacuum any dust that falls to the floor.
5. Reconnect Power: Once the coils are clean, plug the refrigerator back in and ensure it’s operating correctly.

If you’re unsure about cleaning the coils yourself, or if they are difficult to access, consider scheduling a professional cleaning service. 

Importance of Regular Coil Cleaning

Prevents Overheating – Clean coils help the refrigerator run efficiently, avoiding the risk of overheating and damage to the appliance.

Ensures Efficient Operation – Regular maintenance keeps the refrigerator at peak efficiency, reducing energy consumption and extending its lifespan.

Incorporating these tips into your routine can help your appliance operate more efficiently and avoid unnecessary repairs.

Tip 4: Ensure Proper Door Seals

Faulty door seals can significantly impact your refrigerator’s efficiency by allowing cold air to escape and warm air to enter. This forces the fridge to work harder to maintain the desired temperature.

How to Check Door Seals for Leaks

• Visual Inspection: Look for visible cracks, tears, or gaps in the door seals.
• Dollar Bill Test: Close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill or piece of paper so that half is inside and half is outside. If you can pull the bill out easily without resistance, the seal may be faulty and need replacement.
• Feel for Air Leaks: Run your hand around the edges of the closed door to feel for any cold air escaping.

Simple Repairs or Replacements:

• Clean the Seals: Sometimes, dirt and grime can prevent the door from sealing properly. Clean the seals with warm, soapy water and a cloth.
• Apply Petroleum Jelly: For minor gaps, applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly can help improve the seal.
• Replace Damaged Seals: If the seals are damaged or not sealing correctly after cleaning, consider replacing them. Refer to your refrigerator’s manual for instructions, or contact a professional repair service.

Benefits of Properly Sealed Doors

• Energy Efficiency: Proper seals prevent cold air from escaping and warm air from entering, reducing the workload on your refrigerator and saving energy.
• Consistent Temperature: Well-sealed doors help maintain a consistent temperature inside the refrigerator, keeping your food fresh and safe.
• Extended Appliance Lifespan: By reducing the strain on your refrigerator, proper door seals can help extend the appliance’s lifespan and reduce the need for repairs.

Tip 5: Keep the Refrigerator Well-Organized

An organized refrigerator makes it easier to find what you need and helps with air circulation and overall efficiency. 

Proper organization ensures that cool air can flow freely around the food items, maintaining a consistent temperature and reducing the workload on the appliance.

How Organization Helps with Efficiency

Properly spaced items allow cool air to circulate evenly, ensuring all refrigerator areas are kept at the optimal temperature.

When air can circulate freely, the refrigerator doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the contents, leading to lower energy usage.

Practical Tips for Optimal Cooling:

• Group similar items
• Use clear containers
• Avoid overpacking
• Place items strategically
• Use door shelves wisely

Importance of Not Overloading

Overloading the refrigerator blocks vents and restricts airflow, making it harder for the appliance to maintain a consistent temperature.

Ensuring enough space for air to circulate helps keep all refrigerator areas cool, preventing hot spots that can lead to food spoilage.

Getting your refrigerator well-organized can maximize efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and keep your food fresh. 

Keep Your Refrigerator in Top Shape

Keeping the refrigerator clean, maintaining the proper temperature settings, inspecting and cleaning the coils, ensuring proper door seals, and keeping the fridge well-organized all contribute to its optimal performance. Regular maintenance prevents costly repairs and extends the lifespan of your appliance.

Perfect Appliance Repair in Hamilton, Ontario, is here to help if you encounter any issues or need professional assistance. Our seasoned and licenced technicians provide high-quality maintenance and repair services to keep your refrigerator and other appliances in top condition.

Contact Perfect Appliance Repair today to schedule a maintenance check or repair service. Call us at +1 905-581-0200 or book an appointment here.