10 Proven Tips & Tricks to Make Your Refrigerator Last Longer

Last Updated on February 20, 2023 by E.Pery

Does your refrigerator struggle to keep your food cold? Are you tired of constantly repairing or replacing it? If so, you’re not alone. Refrigerators are a common source of frustration for many households.

But, with the right tips and tricks, you can make your refrigerator last longer. From cleaning your fridge regularly to making sure it’s not overstuffed, these tips will help you keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape for years to come.

Plus, you’ll learn how to spot the signs of a failing refrigerator, so you can take action before it’s too late. So, if you want to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and save money on costly repairs, this article is for you!

Clean your refrigerator regularly

Keeping your refrigerator clean can help to reduce the chance of finding and removing food debris from the compressor and condenser coils. Mold and bacteria thrive in damp environments, which is why it’s so important to clean your refrigerator regularly.

Cleaning your refrigerator should be done bi-weekly. Bi-weekly cleaning should be done with a damp cloth and mild dish soap, which can be purchased at the grocery store.

Make sure to remove all items from the fridge and clean them along the sides, underneath, and above the items. You can also use a duster and dusting cloth to remove any extra dust. When cleaning, be sure not to let water splash onto the compressor, which can damage it.

There are a few different products on the market today that claim to clean your fridge. Some even claim to extend the life of your expensive appliances by leaps and bounds.

Unfortunately, most of these products are ineffective at what they claim to do. Furthermore, they are also very harmful to your appliances. This is why you should not clean your fridge with the help of these products.

Even though it may seem like a good idea, cleaning your fridge with the help of harsh chemical products is not only bad for your kitchen appliances, but it is also incredibly harmful to your health.

Make sure your refrigerator is not overstuffed

Your fridge should stay approximately half to three-quarters full. If you keep your fridge too full, there won’t be enough room for your food items. It will take longer for your food to be cold and, most likely, you will have to throw out some items due to spoilage.

Keeping your fridge full also doesn’t allow proper airflow throughout the fridge, which can lead to rust, damaged seals, and decreased life of your appliance. Some foods such as dairy and eggs should be kept in the refrigerator at all times. These foods are very perishable and should be kept as close to 36°F as possible.

These foods should also be kept away from other foods that are best kept on the shelf like meats and vegetables. Keeping these food items in the fridge will slow down the spoilage process.

Check the temperature settings

Knowing the correct temperature settings for your fridge is essential for keeping your food safe. Most refrigerators have settings for the temperature of the freezer, the temperature of the fridge, and the temperature of the shelves.

If your fridge is keeping the wrong temperature, food items could be unsafe. It’s important to check the settings regularly to make sure your fridge is at the correct temperature. It’s also important to clean your fridge regularly to make sure debris is not building up on the coils that could be preventing your fridge from keeping the correct temperature.

If you find your fridge is not keeping the correct temperature, you can adjust it. It’s recommended you keep the temperature in the middle of the settings.

Keep the condenser coils clean

If your fridge has a condenser system, you should clean it regularly. This is especially important if you live in a humid climate. Cleaning your condenser system regularly will help prolong the life of your fridge.

You should clean the condenser coils every six months or they could stop cooling properly, leading to damage or failure of the fridge. This will also increase the amount of electricity your fridge uses and cost you more money.

There are several ways to clean your condenser system: If you have access to a sink full of hot water, you can use that to clean your coils. You can use a dishwasher rinse-clean cycle with a stiff brush or sponge on the side of the dishwasher to clean your coils.

You can take your fridge outside and spray it down with a hose or you can use an outdoor hose with a spray nozzle to clean the condenser system.

Check the door gaskets

Door gaskets are also a potential sign that your fridge is in trouble. As food is stored in your fridge and creates heat, it creates moisture in the air. This moisture could be building up on the door gaskets, causing them to swell.

Door gaskets are usually located underneath the doors on each fridge panel. If they become swollen, it’s a good idea to take them off to clean the gaskets with a damp cloth.

If you notice your door gaskets are swollen, you can also try to tighten the screws holding the door panel on with a Phillips screwdriver to see if that helps to reduce the swelling.

Replace your water filter regularly

A clogged water filter is a sign that your fridge is not properly maintaining the temperature of your food. It could also be a sign of a failing compressor or condenser.

If you notice your fridge isn’t keeping the correct temperature and your water filter is clear, you should replace it with a new filter. This will ensure your fridge is properly maintaining the temperature of your food and will reduce the amount of damage that could occur to your appliance.

If your fridge isn’t keeping the correct temperature, it’s also a good idea to check your water pressure. If your fridge isn’t keeping the correct temperature and your pressure is below 20 PSI, you should check your water line. You should also check your service history to see if your fridge has been serviced recently.

Check the fan blades

The fan on your refrigerator should turn on and off regularly to keep the compressor and condenser cool. If your fridge is not turning on and off, or if it isn’t turning at the correct speed, this could be a sign that your fridge is experiencing some kind of problem.

If the fan isn’t turning, the compressor and condenser are exposed to extreme heat. This could damage the components, leading to failure. You should take your refrigerator outside and test the fan with your hand. If it feels warm, this is a sign that it is not working as it should.

You should also try to see if you can hear the fan turning on and off. If you are unable to take the fan off, you should take your fridge to be serviced by a technician. They will be able to check your fan and determine if it is working properly.

Avoid placing hot items in the refrigerator

There are several signs that your food is getting too hot. The most common is when you open the fridge and the food items are steaming. This is a sign that your food is too hot and should be cooled down as soon as possible.

Another sign that your food is too hot is if it is expanding or bulging. If you notice these signs, it’s a good idea to take the food out of the fridge and put it in a cooler or on the counter until it cools down. This will save you from burning yourself or causing damage to your fridge.

If you notice these signs, you should try to cool down your food as soon as possible. You should also avoid leaving your fridge door open, your food will cool down too quickly, which will cause it to expand or bulge.

Spotting the signs of a failing refrigerator

As mentioned above, the most common signs that your fridge is not in good condition are an unworking fan and door gaskets that are swollen. There may be some other signs as well, but these are the most common ones.

If you notice one of these signs, it’s a good idea to take your fridge to be serviced. They will be able to detect the problem before it becomes too severe and can cause damage to your appliance. If you want to make sure that your fridge lasts as long