Cleaning the refrigerator is a routine task for many people. However, not everyone knows that there is a special component at the back of the fridge that needs regular cleaning.

A special part at the back of the refrigerator requires periodic cleaning

The refrigerator is an electrical appliance that operates 24/7 and consumes a significant amount of electricity. Therefore, using it efficiently and saving energy is a concern for many households. Besides storing a reasonable amount of food and adjusting the temperature appropriately, you also need to pay attention to cleaning your refrigerator.

Usually, when people think about cleaning the refrigerator, they only remember to clean the compartments or the door seals. However, there is an important part at the back of the fridge that also needs to be cleaned.

This part is the refrigerator’s condenser coil. This is where some of the heat is released into the surrounding air. The coil contains refrigerant in liquid form, which plays a role in reducing the temperature inside the fridge.

The condenser coil located at the back of the refrigerator also needs regular cleaning.

Since it is located outside the refrigerator, this part easily collects dust and dirt. When dust accumulates in thick layers, heat cannot be released properly, causing the refrigerator to heat up and work harder to cool down. This is the reason why your electricity bill increases significantly and also shortens the lifespan of the appliance.

Moreover, when the condenser coils accumulate a lot of dust and are not cleaned, the refrigerator may also produce louder noises during operation.

You don’t need to clean the condenser coil very often. Cleaning it about once every six months is sufficient. If you have pets such as dogs or cats, you should clean it more frequently because their fur can stick to the condenser coils.

How to clean the condenser coil

Before cleaning, you should remove all food inside and unplug the refrigerator to ensure safety. Pull the fridge away from its fixed position to make cleaning easier.

The condenser coils are usually located at the bottom back of the refrigerator. Most coils are exposed, but some refrigerators may have a panel or grille covering the coils.

You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust on the coils. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, you can also use a soft cloth or soft brush to wipe them. Note that the condenser coils can be damaged if too much force is applied, so you should clean gently to avoid damaging this part.

In addition, there is another part at the back of the refrigerator called the water tray. This tray collects condensation water from the evaporator to prevent water from leaking and damaging the fridge. The tray is located right below the condenser coils. Basically, you don’t need to clean this water tray often. However, it can accumulate dust and even insects inside. Therefore, you may want to clean the tray to avoid unpleasant odors.

The water tray at the back of the refrigerator can collect a lot of dust and needs to be cleaned.

Removing the water tray is simple. Just gently lift the tray, pour out the water, wash and dry it, then place it back in its original position.