Your refrigerator has condenser coils that remove heat and keep the air inside the appliance cool. The coils can get covered with dust, dirt and pet hair. That can make the refrigerator less energy efficient, which can lead to high electricity bills.
Cleaning your refrigerator’s coils once or twice a year can make the appliance more energy efficient, help you keep your utility costs in check and keep the fridge from wearing out sooner than it should. This is a simple process that should only take about 15 minutes.
Locate Your Refrigerator’s Coils
Before you get started, put on a mask so you don’t inhale dust. Unplug the refrigerator so you don’t get electrocuted. Then, locate the condenser coils—metal tubes arranged in a U-shaped pattern—located in either the back or front.
If the condenser coils are in the back, pull the refrigerator away from the wall. Be careful not to damage the floor.
If the coils are in front, they will be located on the bottom of the refrigerator, behind a removable grate. You can leave the refrigerator where it is and remove the grate to access them. If you have trouble removing the grate, check your owner’s manual for instructions.
How to Clean Refrigerator Coils
Use both a vacuum brush attachment and a brush to clean your fridge’s condenser coils. You may find other vacuum attachments helpful to get into all the nooks and crannies. Use a condenser coil brush or paint brush to remove dust and debris. You don’t need to get the coils spotless, but you should get them as clean as possible.
Be careful when it comes to the amount of pressure you use while cleaning. There may be a lot of grime on the coils, so you will need to use some pressure to get them clean, but you don’t want to use so much that you damage them.
As you work, dust may spread on the floor and become airborne. Vacuum as you work to minimize the mess, then perform a more thorough cleaning after you have finished removing dirt and grime from the coils.
When you’re done, replace the removable grate, if applicable. If the coils are in the back, slide the fridge back up against the wall, then plug it back in.
