Keeping your refrigerator in top shape is essential for extending its lifespan and ensuring it runs efficiently. One of the most overlooked yet crucial maintenance tasks is cleaning the refrigerator coils. Dirty coils can lead to poor cooling performance and increased energy consumption. Fortunately, this is a simple task you can accomplish in about 10 minutes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you clean your refrigerator coils quickly and effectively.
Before you begin, you’ll need a few basic tools:
For safety, it’s important to unplug your refrigerator before you start cleaning. This will prevent any electrical accidents and also stop the fan inside the condenser unit, which could be moving while you clean.
Refrigerator coils can either be at the back of the unit or underneath it. If they’re at the back, you’ll have to pull the fridge away from the wall. If they’re underneath, you’ll usually find a grille at the front bottom that you can snap off or remove with screws.
Take your coil brush and gently insert it into the coil spaces. Be careful not to be too forceful, as the coils and fins are delicate and can be damaged easily. Brush with the direction of the fins, not against them, to dislodge dust and pet hair.
After you’ve loosened the debris with the coil brush, use the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt. The vacuum will help to ensure that all the debris is gone, leaving the coils clean.
Once you’ve cleaned the coils, use the vacuum to clean the area around them. This includes the floor and walls behind or under the refrigerator. Removing this debris will help prevent it from getting sucked back into the coils.
If you removed a grille to access the coils, snap or screw it back into place. If you had to move the refrigerator out from the wall, gently slide it back into position, being careful not to crush or bend the coils.
With the coils cleaned and everything back in place, plug the refrigerator back in. The compressor should kick on, and you’ll hear the fan start up again.
Regular cleaning of your refrigerator coils is a good practice. Set a reminder to do this at least once or twice a year, depending on how quickly dust accumulates in your home.
With clean coils, your refrigerator will not have to work as hard to keep cool, which can save you money on energy bills and help prevent breakdowns.
