If you have an older refrigerator, you need to consider performing regular maintenance in order to keep your refrigerator in great shape. In this article, we're taking a closer look at refrigerator maintenance tips during quarantine so you can rest assured your refrigerator is up and running when you need it most. Refrigerator Maintenance Tips During Quarantine Your refrigerator is an important part of your kitchen. It does more than provide you with icy-cold beverages. It also helps maintain the temperature of your perishable items so they don’t spoil. Without one, you’d find your normal way of life greatly disrupted. Besides, appliances are an investment – which means it is important to care for them properly so they continue to work well for you for years to come. So, here’s a great idea. While you find yourself with extra downtime during this quarantine brought to you by COVID-19, why not consider performing some refrigerator maintenance tips to keep it working in an efficient and healthy manner? Below, we have put together a list of refrigerator maintenance tips to keep you busy and productive during your socially-distanced quarantine. Tip #1: Clean the Coils There is a good chance you have heard about your refrigerator coils. There is also a good chance you have no idea what it means to clean them. If so, you will appreciate this simple tip that can mean the difference between life and death for your refrigerator. See, when these coils get dirty with dust, debris, and pet hair, they can’t shed heat properly. In turn, this can lead to the compressor overworking and, at times, overheating. When this happens your refrigerator will soon likely stop cooling. Some refrigerators have coils in the back others are underneath the unit. Consult your manual to determine where your coils are located. Then, unplug the unit and either remove the grate at the bottom or pull the refrigerator out from the wall. Wipe the coils down with a duster, removing all the debris. Return the refrigerator to its location and plug in. Tip #2: Test Your Gasket Your gasket is the rubbery piece that goes around your door. It seals it, keeping the cold inside the refrigerator and freezer. Take a look at your gasket and notice whether or not you can visibly see anywhere that the seal is loose or pulled away from the door. Then, you want to test your gasket. Here’s how you can do that using a dollar bill. Open the door and place the dollar bill along the door frame so that, when closed, half of the dollar will be stuck inside the door and the other outside. Then, gently try to pull the dollar bill. If it doesn’t move, then your seal is good. If it does, then your gasket may not be doing its job. Repeat this exercise in several locations around the doors of your refrigerator and your freezer. Tip #3: Confirm the Temperature To store your food items safely, your refrigerator and freezer need to maintain a specific temperature. For instance, the ideal temperature for your refrigerator is between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For your freezer, it should always be kept around zero degrees. Regardless of your refrigerator’s own temperature gauge, do your own work to make sure it is working properly. At any hardware store, you can purchase a cheap refrigerator thermometer. Place it in your refrigerator and monitor the temperature. This will help you determine whether or not it is working. Tip #4: Store Food Properly Are you and your family big on leftovers? How you store them is just as important to your refrigerator as it is to your food. After you cook dinner tonight, here’s how to properly store your leftovers. Always store your food in a container with a lid or cover. Not doing so increases the moisture in the refrigerator and can lead to problems in the future. Let the items cool down before placing them inside the refrigerator. Hot food can throw off the temperature within the unit – and affect other stored items. In addition, it takes a lot of energy to re-balance the temperature. Tip #5: Replace the Light Bulbs Are your refrigerator light bulbs burnt out? No big deal, right? Wrong. If your bulbs are burnt out or showing signs that they may soon, replace them. You may think that a dark refrigerator still works – and it does. But the longer you hold the door open trying to find what you are looking for in the dark, the less efficiently your refrigerator is running. Since you have some downtime, replace your bulbs. Tip #6: Keep Vents Free and Clear Take the time to organize your refrigerator, getting rid of old or unwanted items. It is recommended that you keep food in your refrigerator for it to work its best. It is important, though, that you keep the vents free and clear. In addition, store items away from controls so that they don’t accidentally get bumped. Tip #7: Empty the Ice Emptying the ice out of your icemakers storage tray serves no purpose in maintaining your refrigerator. However, ice that sits for long periods can begin to gather odors and not necessarily taste so good. Since you are taking the time to maintain your refrigerator, you may as well perform this simple task and dump the ice. Tip #8: Wipe it Down We don’t often think to wipe down our refrigerator, but we should. While you have time during quarantine, wipe down your refrigerator, both inside and out. Be sure to use mild soap and water only – do not use harsh chemicals inside your refrigerator. Tip #9: Pay Attention to the Warning Signs Finally, you can always perform these tips – whether in the middle of a pandemic or not. Though, you should always keep an eye out for warning signs that your refrigerator may be heading for trouble, such as: Food or drinks that are not as cold as they normally are. Soft or defrosted freezer items. Ice cubes stuck together in large batches. Water found around the unit. Odd or unusual sounds. Your refrigerator is important to your life. So, you want to make sure you care for it. The best way to do this is to perform simple maintenance regularly. And, what better time to do so than right now? Try these 9 tips and keep your refrigerator and freezer healthy and efficient.
