If Your Fridge Is Making Noises, This Cleaning Hack May Easily Fix It

Has your fridge gotten noisier as of recently? If so, there's no need to panic, because fixing it might be easier than you think. One of the most common fridge noises is caused by dirt and dust buildup, specifically on the condenser coils located on the outside of your fridge. What you hear may be the sound of these coils working harder to keep your fridge cool. Dirty condenser coils may also be the reason why your refrigerator isn't cooling as efficiently as it should.

The good news is that you may not need to budget for costly repairs. The solution could simply be cleaning this essential component of your fridge. With your condenser coils in good condition, your fridge will become more energy efficient, saving you money on electricity bills and future repairs. Plus, you might get rid of that annoying sound for good. Let's get into the how-to of cleaning your refrigerator coils and why it's necessary to do so.

Condenser coils are one of the most important features of your refrigerator. Often located on the back of the fridge along the bottom, condenser coils are one of the main components of the cooling system. Over time, the coils accumulate debris and must be cleaned regularly to keep the refrigerator running smoothly.

The best way to clean your refrigerator coils is with a handheld vacuum. It's worth noting that some fridge models do not require condenser cleaning, and others should only be handled by a professional. If you've established that your coils can be cleaned by yourself, the first step is to unplug the fridge and move it away from the wall. Find where the condenser coils are located and carefully remove the protective grille cover, if necessary. Use a handheld vacuum to suck up debris, working gently to avoid bending the metal strips.

A simple vacuum job may be enough to restore your fridge coils to good shape. However, if there is significant dirt buildup, consider using other supplies, such as a compressed air duster, a refrigerator coil brush, and coil cleaning solution with a microfiber cloth. Condenser coils only require cleaning about once or twice a year, but if you have an older fridge and a dirt-prone kitchen, you may need to increase the frequency.

A refrigerator with dirty condenser coils is not only noisy, but also damaging and expensive. These coils are responsible for regulating the temperature of your fridge. As you might imagine, all that dirt, pet hair, and dust makes it harder for the coils to do their job. Your fridge may require more energy to stay cool, which means higher electricity bills. Plus, when the cooling system is not running efficiently, the food inside of it may spoil quicker.

Most importantly, an overworked condenser may be affecting the longevity of your fridge. This could spell trouble in the long run — we're talking costly repairs and even irreparable damage. Clean condenser coils are not only energy efficient, but they also help refrigerators run better for longer. Needless to say, by giving them some regular TLC, you are preserving the lifespan of your fridge and saving money while you're at it.