Fridge refrigerators are an essential appliance nowadays for almost any home, dorm room or office. The main use for this lovely piece of kitchen equipment is to keep your food fresh for longer periods. The temperatures inside a refrigerator make it hard for bacteria to grow and spoil your food. Of course, they also became the perfect option for those who would like to eat healthy but do not want to run a dairy farm and plant a garden or fruit orchard.

Regular proper maintenance is important to longevity and performance. While this is true of all your kitchen appliances, the refrigerator is even more important because of the nature of the job it performs. Your health could be at stake if food began to spoil in a poorly performing fridge, not to mention the amount of money that would be lost.

No matter which model fridge you decide to purchase from a simple Samsung fridge freezer to a top of the line Bosch fridge here are a few pointers on maintenance. You will get much more use out of your refrigerator when you take the necessary steps to prolong quality and durability.

Proper Placement

The first major concern with your new fridge freezer is where you will install it in your kitchen; this will have the biggest effect on longevity. You never want to place it in an area that conducts a great deal of heat such as close to the oven or cook stove and you may want to avoid extremely sunny areas as well. When the fridge must compete with warmer external temperatures, it will work harder to cool therefore giving you higher light bills and decreasing longevity.

You will need to check your chosen area to ensure it is level and flat. This prevents inefficient dissipation of temperature in your fridge, which could cause warm spots, and loss of storage area; this is to be avoided at all costs.

Speaking of energy, we suggest the avoidance of opening the fridge door too wide or too often.  As much as 30 percent in energy bills can be saved by deciding what you want inside the fridge, getting it as quickly as you can in one opening and then closing the door tightly.

Clean the Coils

When you want to prolong the life of your fridge, it is necessary to clean the compressor coils. These are generally located at the rear of the unit either top or bottom and some models even have them underneath. Cleaning them is simple, unplug the fridge then move it to where you can easily access the coils, you can then vacuum or brush the dust and dirt away.

Wash Regularly

Like any other frequently used appliance, the refrigerator will get dirty or grimy. It is a good idea to wash it regularly even though it may look “clean” as there are bacteria you cannot see that can get on or in your unit. Cleaning frequency will vary according to household size, location and the food that is kept on a regular basis. Use a mild detergent on all exposed areas of your fridge including the gasket, door and shelves. Bleach is never recommended for fridge cleaning even to remove dark stains. You will avoid most stains by cleaning on a regular basis anyway.

Taking good care of your appliances will pay you in many different ways. Your food will stay fresh and safe while your kitchen looks stylish. That is the true definition of optimum performance.

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