How to Make Your Refrigerator Last as Long as Possible

Would you like to make your refrigerator last as long as possible?

My Story

A few weeks ago, our oldest daughter called to tell us that she was in immediate need of a new refrigerator.

There was a smell coming from the refrigerator that was so bad it had to be unplugged and the food moved to a cooler.

Since the smell wasn’t from rotten food, they assumed the refrigerator was a lost cause.

We suggested cleaning the coils prior to buying a new refrigerator.

She had no idea that was a thing.

Although the buildup on the coils wasn’t the sole culprit of the smell, seeing the buildup of dust and dirt covering the condenser coils was a wakeup call.

Purchasing a refrigerator is an investment of upwards of several hundred dollars.

There are a few easy things you can do to protect that investment and make sure the refrigerator lasts as long as possible.

Clean the condenser coils.

As the part responsible for removing the heat from your refrigerator, the condenser is the heart of the refrigerator.

Dust and dirt covering the coils makes the refrigerator work harder to keep the food cool, resulting in a possible breakdown and shorter life span.

If you are unsure where your condenser is located, consult your owner’s manual.

Always unplug the refrigerator before starting.

Using a good microfiber cloth, remove as much dust and dirt as possible.

Vacuum in and around the condenser coils.

If you want to really give them a good cleaning, use a brush made specifically for cleaning condenser coils.

Clean and inspect the door seals.

The door seals are responsible for keeping cold air in and warm air out.

Just like the condenser, dirt build up can cause them to be ineffective resulting in the refrigerator working harder to keep food cool.

Using a mild soapy water and a good microfiber cloth, clean the seals every time you clean the inside of your refrigerator.

Don’t use the top of the refrigerator as bonus storage space.

Too much stuff stacked on the top of the refrigerator can interfere with the refrigerator’s ability to dissipate heat, again, resulting in the need for the refrigerator to work harder.