Do you have a fridge in your house that you’ve been using for years? Perhaps it is time for you to think about a better approach to refrigerator cleaning and care. Our fridge works hard. It is operating 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Thus, it requires your attention to keep on operating properly.  

You should take a couple of minutes to run through easy refrigerator maintenance tips every 3-6 months. However, do not hesitate to hire an appliance repair in Aurora, IL technician if you run into serious refrigerator issues.  

Properly Set the Temperature 

This is one of the easiest fridge maintenance tips. However, it is extremely crucial. For energy efficiency and optimal operation, you have to set the temperature of your fridge to the middle of the available settings. Between 42 and 38 degrees is the ideal temperature for your refrigerator. On the other hand, your freezer has to be around 10 to 0 degrees.  

Clean the Condenser Fan 

The condenser fans of your fridge can be like magnets for paper scraps, dust, dirt, and even pests. Your refrigerator can’t properly cool if the fan is blocked by debris. The reason for this is that the air is not circulating throughout the coils. Roll away the appliance from the wall if you are planning to clean the condenser fan. Then, get rid of the fan access cover. Use a vacuum and brush to clean the fan blades and the crease between the motor and the blade. 

Clean the Condenser Coils 

Heat is prevented from being released if the refrigerator condenser coils are filled with dust. Because of this, the compressor has to work too long and too hard to do its job. You can prolong the life of your fridge and save energy if you clean the coils every 6 months. Aside from that, you can also avoid unnecessary repairs. You might have to do this job more frequently if you’ve got pets who shed. The coils can be found at the bottom of your refrigerator. You can use a vacuum and coil cleaning brush to clean the coils. 

Get Rid of the Obstructions from Vents 

Vents in your fridge’s freezer circulate cold air. If the freezer is too full or if the vents are blocked, neither the fridge nor the freezer will properly cool. A vital job for fridge maintenance is moving items away from every vent. Aside from that, you shouldn’t crowd the fridge too much. This will obstruct air circulation as well.  

Examine the Gasket 

Dirt or damage can stop the gasket from properly sealing and keeping cold air inside. Perhaps it is time to replace the gasket if it looks torn, cracked, twisted, or dented. Else, you can use a sponge and warm water to periodically clean the gasket. This is particularly true inside the folds where dirt can accumulate.  

After you clean it, don’t forget to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the gasket. This will help enhance the suction of the gasket.