Regular Maintenance for Your Refrigerator: 2025

What does refrigerator care and maintenance involve? From cleaning condenser coils to checking door seals and adjusting temperature settings, we’ll cover all the details.

At Sears Home Services, we recognize the significance of maintaining your appliances. That's why we offer comprehensive refrigerator care and maintenance advice as well as maintenance and repair services to ensure your appliance runs smoothly and efficiently. Let's explore how regular fridge maintenance keeps your refrigerator working when you need it.

What is Refrigerator Maintenance?

Understanding the basics of fridge maintenance is crucial for keeping your appliance operating efficiently. Regular maintenance is vital for optimal performance and for preventing costly repairs or replacements in the future.

Regular maintenance of a refrigerator encompasses various tasks that keep your appliance in prime condition. These tasks help extend the lifespan of your appliance and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

One major reason for regular maintenance is to keep components clean and free from debris. Dust, dirt, and food particles can accumulate on condenser coils, fans, and vents, hindering airflow and forcing the appliance to work harder. Regularly cleaning these components improves energy efficiency and prevents overheating.

Common refrigerator care and maintenance tasks include:

• Cleaning the condenser coils
• Checking and replacing the water filter, if applicable
• Inspecting and cleaning the door gaskets
• Testing the automatic defrost system
• Checking and adjusting the temperature settings
• Cleaning the interior shelves and drawers

Performing these tasks yearly ensures your refrigerator operates at peak performance, keeping your food fresh and safe. Always refer to your appliance's user manual for specific instructions and recommendations.

The Importance of Refrigerator Maintenance

Routine maintenance of a refrigerator is essential for keeping it in optimal working condition. By performing these tasks, you can extend your refrigerator's lifespan, prevent costly repairs, and maintain energy efficiency.

One of the primary benefits of fridge maintenance is extending your refrigerator's lifespan. Like any appliance, refrigerators experience wear and tear over time. Regular inspections and cleanings help you identify and address minor issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach reduces strain on your refrigerator's components, ensuring smooth operation for years.

Another advantage is preventing costly repairs. By regularly cleaning condenser coils, checking door seals, and defrosting the freezer, you reduce the risk of malfunctions and breakdowns. These simple tasks help keep your refrigerator running efficiently, avoiding the need for expensive repairs. Additionally, regular maintenance helps you identify potential issues early, allowing for prompt resolution and preventing more significant problems.

Proper maintenance also plays a crucial role in maintaining energy efficiency. A poorly maintained refrigerator has to work harder to keep food cold, leading to increased energy consumption. By cleaning the coils, ensuring proper airflow, and checking temperature settings, you optimize energy efficiency. This not only reduces energy bills but also benefits the environment by minimizing your carbon footprint.

Regular maintenance keeps your refrigerator working when you need it most. By extending its lifespan, preventing costly repairs, and maintaining energy efficiency, you can rely on your refrigerator to keep your food fresh and beverages chilled for years to come.

How to Perform Refrigerator Maintenance Yourself

You can perform many of the refrigerator cleaning and maintenance tasks yourself if you choose to. Follow these simple steps to ensure your refrigerator stays clean and in top shape.

Clean the Interior and Exterior of the Fridge

1. Unplug your refrigerator and remove all food items from the shelves and drawers. Discard any expired or spoiled food.
2. Remove all the removable parts, such as shelves, drawers, and ice trays. Wash them with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Wipe the interior with a mixture of water and baking soda to remove stains or odors.
3. Clean the exterior with a mild detergent and water. Pay special attention to handles and seals, as these areas can accumulate dirt and grime.
4. Once everything is dry, reassemble the removable parts and plug the refrigerator back in. Return the food items to their respective places.

Check and Replace Refrigerator Filters

1. Check the filter replacement reminder light on the control panel. Order a replacement water filter if the reminder indicates that it’s time to replace the refrigerator water filter. If your fridge uses an air filter, order a replacement air filter at the same time. You can order the correct filters for your refrigerator on our Sears PartsDirect website.
2. Follow the manual's instructions to remove the old filter and install the new one. You may need to turn off the water supply removing the existing filter. Replace the refrigerator air filter.
3. Run about 1 gallon water through the dispenser for as constantly as possible to flush out any air or impurities. Failing to purge air through the filter and water dispenser system can cause the dispenser to drip water.

Check and Adjust Refrigerator Temperature Settings

Set the refrigerator temperature between 35°F and 38°F to keep food fresh. The freezer temperature should be set between 0°F and 5°F for proper freezing. Make sure that items aren’t blocking air supply and return vents which could obstruct airflow and cause uneven cooling.

Examine and Clean the Refrigerator Door Gaskets

The door seals and gaskets prevent cold air from escaping and warm air from entering the refrigerator. Regularly inspect them for any signs of wear or damage and clean them using a mild detergent and warm water. Lubricate the door gaskets with a light coat of petroleum jelly.

Clean the Condenser Coils

If you’re confident in your DIY skills, you may be able to clean the condenser coils in your fridge on your own. On many refrigerators, you’ll need to unplug the refrigerator and remove the back machine compartment panel to reach and clean the condenser coils. Use a coil brush and vacuum cleaner to clean dust and dirt off the condenser coils. If you’re not confident that you can complete this task yourself, schedule professional refrigerator maintenance to have a Sears Home Services clean the condenser coils.

Test the Automatic Defrost System

Check the operation of the automatic defrost system is a task that’s best left to a service technician. This system periodically melts frost off the evaporator coils to ensure good air flow through evaporator fins. If the evaporator fins and airways get clogged with frost and ice, the refrigerator and freezer compartments won’t cool well. If you suspect that the automatic defrost system in your fridge isn’t working as it should, schedule refrigerator repair service to have a technician fix the problem.

By following these fridge maintenance tips, you can extend your refrigerator's lifespan and prevent unexpected breakdowns. Always consult the owner's manual for specific instructions related to your appliance.

The Perks of Professional Refrigerator Maintenance

Investing in professional refrigerator maintenance comes with a host of benefits. Firstly, you gain access to specialized knowledge and expertise. Professional technicians understand different refrigerator models and can provide tailored solutions for your specific appliance. They possess the necessary skills to identify potential issues, perform necessary repairs, and offer valuable advice on maximizing your refrigerator's performance.

During a professional maintenance service, technicians conduct a thorough inspection of all components. This includes checking the condenser coils, evaporator fan, thermostat, door seals, and other key parts. Identifying these issues early allows for timely repairs and prevents them from escalating into major problems. Regular inspections and maintenance help catch small issues that could have gone unnoticed, ensuring your refrigerator continues to operate at peak efficiency.

This video highlights details of professional fridge maintenance:

Whether you choose to perform refrigerator cleaning and maintenance yourself or have Sears Home Services do it for you, taking good care of your fridge not only ensures that it’s operating efficiently but you will also extend its lifespan. Avoid unpleasant surprises and problems by always keeping your fridge in top shape with regular maintenance and cleaning.