Hey there! Do you know what the most hardworking and probably the largest energy-consuming appliance in your kitchen is? It’s your refrigerator! Yes, you heard it right. Your refrigerator is the heart of your kitchen, and it deserves some extra attention and care to keep it running smoothly for a long time.
So, whether you’re a student living in a dorm room or a family living in a house, it’s essential to know how to maintain your refrigerator to increase its lifespan and reduce energy consumption. Here are some fun and friendly refrigerator maintenance tips that will help you keep your fridge running efficiently.
Cool Down Your Food Before Storing
One often overlooked but vital refrigerator maintenance tip is to cool down your food before placing it in the fridge. Hot food not only raises the internal temperature of your fridge, making it work harder, but it can also lead to increased humidity levels. This extra moisture can contribute to mold growth and affect the freshness of other stored items.
To avoid these issues, always let hot food reach room temperature before storing it in your refrigerator. This practice will help maintain a consistent internal temperature and reduce the strain on your fridge’s cooling system, ultimately contributing to its efficiency and longevity. Remember, a little patience before storing your leftovers can go a long way in keeping your fridge healthy and your food fresh!
Keep the Door Seals Tight
Do you know what’s worse than a fridge filled with spoiled food? A fridge that’s leaking cold air and wasting energy. So, make sure to check the door seals of your fridge regularly. If you notice any cracks or gaps, it’s time to replace them.
You can also do the dollar bill test to check the seal’s tightness. Just close a dollar bill in the door so that half of it is inside and half outside. If you can easily pull the bill out, then it’s time to replace the seal.
Keep the Coils Clean
The coils at the back of your fridge are responsible for releasing the heat that the fridge generates while cooling. But, if these coils are covered in dust, they won’t be able to do their job properly, and your fridge will have to work harder to keep cool.
So, make sure to clean the coils twice a year by pulling the fridge away from the wall, unplugging it, and vacuuming the coils with a brush attachment. This article provides more details on how to clean refrigerator coils
Clean the Inside
Cleaning the inside of your fridge is not only important for hygiene reasons but also to ensure that the fridge runs efficiently. Make sure to clean the shelves, walls, and doors of your fridge every month.
If you spill something in your fridge, clean it up immediately to avoid any mold or bacteria growth. It’s also a good idea to check the expiration dates of the items in your fridge and get rid of anything that’s expired.
Check the Temperature
The ideal temperature for your fridge is between 37-38 degrees Fahrenheit, and for the freezer, it should be at 0 degrees. Make sure to check the temperature regularly to ensure that your fridge is running efficiently.
You can also invest in a thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. If the temperature is not at the desired level, adjust the settings accordingly.
Keep it Filled
Did you know that a full fridge is an efficient fridge? That’s right! When your fridge is full, it has more thermal mass, which means that it can maintain a low temperature more efficiently.
So, if you have an empty fridge, fill it with empty bottles to help with the thermal mass. But, make sure not to overcrowd the fridge, as it can block the air vents and reduce the fridge’s efficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your fridge is an essential part of your kitchen, and it deserves some extra care and attention to keep it running efficiently. By following these simple refrigerator maintenance tips, you can increase the lifespan of your fridge and reduce energy consumption, which is good for your wallet and the environment.
So, don’t wait any longer. Grab a toothbrush, baking soda, and water, and start cleaning those door seals. Your fridge will thank you for it!