Refrigerator Maintenance Tips from Repair Clinic

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This free troubleshooting video shows quick maintenance tips including cleaning the door gaskets, cleaning the condenser coils, and using a deodorizer for keeping your refrigerator working safely and efficiently.

Manual-defrost refrigerator/freezers:

Manual defrost refrigerator/freezers require very little maintenance.

When frost has accumulated on the inside walls of the freezer to a thickness of ½ inch or so, remove the food from the refrigerator/freezer, turn off the thermostat or unplug the unit, and allow all of the frost to melt. Once the frost has melted completely, turn the unit back on, wait for it to reach its operating temperature, and restock it with food.

Self-defrosting refrigerator/freezers

You don't need to manually defrost your self-defrosting refrigerator/freezer. Every 6 to 8 hours, it heats up its cooling coils slightly and melts any frost accumulation on the coils. The resulting water drains into a shallow pan at the bottom of the refrigerator/freezer. There's no need to empty the pan. The water in it will evaporate. But it may begin to smell bad over time. You may be able to remove it for periodic cleaning by detaching the lower grill and sliding the pan out the front of the refrigerator/freezer.

Note... When mold grows in the drain pan, it is sometimes considered to be a health concern. If your drain pan is removable, and if you're sensitive to mold, consider cleaning the drain pan periodically.

Under your refrigerator/freezer is a set of coils and a cooling fan that you need to clean at least once a year. The coils may look like a grate or like a wide radiator. Unplug the refrigerator/freezer and use a Refrigerator Condenser Brush (available in the parts section of our website), and your vacuum cleaner to clean any lint, pet hair, and so on from the coils.

If the gasket or interior of the refrigerator/freezer needs cleaning, try Refrigerator Cleaner to clean the surfaces. You can find this useful product in our parts section.

If you're unable to find the information you need on our website, we suggest that you use a search online to find a reliable online repair forum. It's likely that your question has already been answered there. We also recommend contacting your product's manufacturer or calling a local repair technician.

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Maintenance tips for your refrigerator

Your refrigerator is likely the most used appliance in your kitchen and it may also be the largest consumer of energy, too. Proper maintenance will reduce energy consumption and extend the life of the refrigerator.

1Clean off the condenser coils twice per year.

Condenser coils are responsible for removing heat from refrigerators and freezers. They’re the large, radiator-like coils located at the back or beneath the unit. When dust and dirt cling to the coils, it’s harder for the refrigerator to remove heat. The result is increased energy consumption. Without regular cleaning, this can lead to problems and costly repairs. Use this long-handled bristle brush and a vacuum to easily and efficiently clean off the coils. Follow your refrigerator owner’s manual for specific instructions related to it.

2Clean and replace the gasket (rubber door seal) as needed.

The gasket is the rubber seal that outlines your refrigerator and freezer doors. It’s an often overlooked part that has the critical job of sealing out warm air. Clean it periodically with a universal cleaner such as Goo Gone. Over time, gaskets wear and no longer seal the way refrigerators and freezers need to operate efficiently. It’s common for gaskets to weaken, loosen and tear within just a few years. When this happens, warm air enters the interior of the refrigerator or freezer, making it work harder to remove the heat. That means more energy consumed and higher bills for you. Fortunately, gaskets are inexpensive and usually very easy to replace.

3Defrost.

Manual-defrost refrigerator/freezers When frost has accumulated on the inside walls of the freezer to a thickness of one half inch (or a little more than one centimeter) or so, remove the food from the refrigerator/freezer, turn off the thermostat or unplug the unit, and allow all of the frost to melt. Once the frost has melted completely, turn the unit back on, wait for it to reach its operating temperature, and restock it with food. Self-defrosting refrigerator/freezers If you have a self-defrosting refrigerator, you don’t need to do anything. Every six to eight hours, your refrigerator heats up its cooling coils slightly to melt any frost accumulation on the coils. The resulting water drains into a shallow pan at the bottom of the refrigerator/freezer. Though the water evaporates, you’ll need to periodically clean the pan to avoid odors and bacteria growth. Use warm water and a small amount of detergent to clean it out. Your owner’s manual will provide specific instructions related to this but on most models, you can access the pan by detaching the lower grill and sliding out the pan.

4Clean the interior.

Weekly, use a cloth dampened by warm water to wipe down and remove crumbs and spills from shelves and walls. An all-purpose cleaner will make the job easier and take on stains and sticky spills without a lot of elbow grease. You can also use this cleaner on doors and handles. Use airtight containers to seal in odors and keep food fresher longer. If an item is weakly packaged (i.e. fruit cartons) or simply likely to leak (i.e. defrosting meat), place it on a plate before storing. For stainless-steel units: This cleaning solution and these wipes are specifically designed to remove dirt and fingerprint marks on stainless-steel refrigerators. While wiping, it’s best to follow the “grain” or pattern of the stainless steel.

5Deodorize.

Freshen and remove odors with a deodorizer that’s specifically designed for refrigerators. According to the manufacturer, this deodorizer is up to 50 times more effective than baking soda for eliminating food odors. It lasts up to six months.

6Replace the ice maker or water dispenser water filter

Replace the water filtration system filter at least every six months.

Refrigerator Maintenance Tips from Repair Clinic

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