5 Tips for Fridge Maintenance

When something goes wrong with the fridge, the last thing you really want to do is panic. At Target Appliance Repair, we can be there quickly, and we can assess the situation with your major appliance. In many situations, repair is possible, and generally the best course of action. If the problem is more serious than that, you can be sure we will discuss every single aspect of your options.

No one likes to imagine the above scenario, but it is still useful to understand that it will almost certainly happen at some point. When something goes wrong, it’s important to know where to turn for the help you need.

At the same time, there are a lot of things you can do for your fridge. In terms of refrigerator maintenance, it is unfortunate that most of us are not doing as much as we should be. We put our appliances through a lot. This can be particularly true during certain times of the year. You could make a pretty strong case that there is no appliance in your household that works as hard as your fridge. Considering all it goes through, it just makes sense to learn about some very basic things you can do to ensure your appliances are optimal for the duration of their average lifespan.

Our Fridges Take On a Lot

Regardless of the specific fridge you own, one thing is pretty much true for all of us: Unless you’re someone who is literally never home, your fridge is the one appliance that is constantly on. We need our fridges to preserve food, beverages, and other items all throughout the year. When summer rolls around, we are definitely looking at our freezers to keep things like ice and ice cream at the right temperatures. If you own a fridge that makes water, or water and ice, the demands on your appliance increase to an even greater degree.

New appliances are so efficient and self-sufficient that we don’t think we need to do a thing. Even with the latest and greatest refrigerators, that is not the case. Our fridges can do a lot, but they can do a whole lot more, when we take advantage of some simple fridge maintenance tips.

5 Easy Fridge Care Tips

Remember that your fridge is made of several different important parts. We aren’t saying that you have to completely disassemble your fridge to properly care for it. We aren’t saying that at all! However, keeping in mind the various hard-working components of your fridge, there are still some basic things you can to, to ensure this crucial appliance runs for years to come:

1. Cleaning your condenser coils 2X a year: Usually found along the back of your fridge, the condenser coils are responsible for removing heat from both the fridge and freezer. Pulling out the fridge a couple of times a year, is a good way to ensure they work properly, or without too much strain. Dirt and dust can cling to these coils, causing them to work harder. This not only wears down the coils faster, but it also causes your fridge to consume more energy. A long-handled bristle brush and vacuum can take care of everything.
2. Deodorize: This is one of our simplest tips. Simply purchase a deodorizer that is specific to fridges, and follow the directions as listed. That’s it!
3. Cleaning the interior: Gently wiping down the shelves and walls of your fridge once a week can strike you like a little much. However, it really only takes a few minutes, and it removes the stains and crumbs that have built up in those areas. Doing it once a week means you’ll never need to devote more than a handful of moments to the task.
4. Cleaning/replacing the gasket: Gaskets on fridges refer to the rubber seal that will outline your fridge door and freezer door. We rarely think about it, but those seals are responsible for making sure warm air is properly sealed out. A universal cleaner can be used sporadically to keep the gasket clean, which goes a long way towards ensuring its lifespan. However, these gaskets do eventually need to be replaced. Make sure to do this quickly, as your fridge wastes so much energy working without one.
5. Filtration system: Water filtration systems should be replaced every six months. Following these useful and handy tips can save you both time and money.