Special offer

Look what I found under my refrigerator! Have you checked yours?

By
Home Inspector with US Inspect

When the weather is chilly, there are plenty of low impact projects we can take on while we are cooped up in doors--and here's a great one! Yes, this is MY refrigerator! I went in after a refrigerator magnet (a letter "K" to be exact) and came out with a blog post!

If you have 10 minutes, you have time for this important and EASY home maintenance task.

Refrigerator Maintenance

When was the last time you looked under your refrigerator?? Probably not too recently. Besides those of you like me, often fishing out lost toys or magnets, we usually don't have much reason to take a peak under our refrigerator at all. Well, here's a great reason to do so today! Did you know that debris around your refrigerator coils can reduce the appliance's efficiency; and in extreme cases, can even cause a fire? Nobody wants either of those things, so here's what we can do:

Maintenance Task: Refrigerator Coil Cleaning
​Level of Difficulty: EASY

  • Access: Your coils will be located either at the back of your refrigerator or underneath. If yours are at the back, very gently pull your fridge out so you can access them. Keep in mind that if you have a water line connected to your fridge, you need to be extra careful. You DO NOT want to rupture this line. If your coils are located underneath the refrigerator, simply remove the front grate, which should pop off rather easily.
  • Inspect: Now it's time to grab a flashlight. Shine your flashlight at the coils and be looking for any debris. You may find anything from a few errant dust bunnies to a large mass of dust and hair--especially if you have pets! 
  • Clean: Grab a vacuum with a long nozzle and simply suck up the debris from around your coils and anywhere behind and beneath the fridge. Then replace the grate and/or push the fridge back into position.

And that's it! It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete this task; and while we rarely think to do it, doing so can help protect you and your family from fire, and enable your refrigerator to run more efficiently, and in turn last longer.

Comments (13)

David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

An absolute to add to spring cleaning don't forget the dryer vents as well

Feb 11, 2014 02:50 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Chrissy - Good advice - we did that last week. We got a defrost alert on the fridge, and sure enough, the coils were covered in dog hair (three labs and a rat terrier and years of not looking under there). Now it's on our list.

Feb 11, 2014 03:15 AM
William "Bill" and Karen Farragher
EXIT Blue Water Realty, Matawan, NJ 07747 - Matawan, NJ
SFR

Wow Chrissy, guess I will have to get my flashlight out and take a peek.  Once I check I will be sure to add this to the routine check.  Thanks for sharing. ~Karen

Feb 11, 2014 03:36 AM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

With all of our recent house renovations, I think I'm going to pull the fridge out tomorrow and vacuum the coils. Great information Chrissy.

Feb 11, 2014 08:15 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Guess what I am going to be doing tomorrow?  It is amazing what one can find behind major appliances.

Feb 11, 2014 01:35 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks for the reminder, Chrissy, I'm overdue for a cleaning under their.

Feb 11, 2014 09:12 PM
Anne Hensel
South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL
Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

Thank you so much for this suggestion... and even a picture...  certainly not something I would have thought of!!

Feb 12, 2014 12:28 AM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Can't tell you the last time I did this. I'd do it today, but with the ice, the last thing I'd want to do is cause a malfunction and not have a fridge! 

This ranks right up there with flushing out your hot water heater? And who ever does that?

Feb 12, 2014 02:21 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Out of site out of mind. I try to get it done twice per year and look for lost treasures.

Feb 12, 2014 10:43 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Out of site out of mind. I try to get it done twice per year and look for lost treasures.

Feb 12, 2014 10:44 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Chrissy -- I have been trying to get my husband to pull ours out for a while now. Thanks for the reminder to get this done.

Feb 13, 2014 05:50 AM
Alan Grizzle
Chestatee Real Estate - Dahlonega, GA
Full Time Realtor, Lifelong Resident of Dahlonega

This is something that is easy to forget.

Feb 13, 2014 11:20 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Refrigerator coils can be one of those "out of sight - out of mind" things.  Yet, it is very important to keep them clean, for efficient refrigerator functioning.

CONGRATULATIONS on having this blog FEATURED in the Feather Nesters Group!

Feb 20, 2014 10:25 AM