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Kitchen

Clean refrigerator coils

Dusty coils make the fridge work harder and run warmer. A yearly vacuum helps it keep food cold.

20–30 minutesEasy5 steps

Tools you need

  • Vacuum with a brush attachment
  • Coil cleaning brush (optional)
  • Flashlight
Clean refrigerator coils
Photo: W.carter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Steps

  1. Unplug the fridge.

  2. Find the coils: behind the grille at the bottom front, or on the back of older fridges.

  3. Pull off the bottom grille if needed (it usually pops off).

  4. Vacuum the dust from the coils and the floor under them gently, without bending the fins.

  5. Put the grille back, push the fridge back with a gap behind it, and plug it in.

More kitchen jobs

Clear a jammed disposal

15–25 minutes · Careful

Clean a dishwasher filter

10–15 minutes · Easy

Clean a range hood filter

20–30 minutes · Easy

Descale a coffee maker

30–45 minutes · Easy

Defrost a freezer

2–4 hours · Easy

Steps written by Sureno. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

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