How to Clean Refrigerator Coils for Optimal Performance

What Are Refrigerator Coils—and Why Should You Care?

Picture this: your fridge is like a hard-working bull at the Houston Livestock Show. It needs to stay cool, calm, and collected to keep those steaks and cold drinks ready for the weekend grill-out. Refrigerator coils are the muscles behind the cooling. They release heat from the back or bottom of your fridge so things inside stay cold.

When the coils get jam-packed with dust, pet hair, and the kind of mystery gunk only appliances seem to attract, the fridge can’t breathe. It runs longer, works harder, and you may end up buying a new compressor before your next cookout.

Why Clean Your Refrigerator Coils?

You might be thinking, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Buddy, that logic doesn’t cut it when it comes to kitchen appliances. Dirty coils act like a bad referee—they get in the way, slow everything down, and ruin the whole game. Clean coils mean:

• Lower energy bills (who doesn’t like more cash in their pocket?)
• Food stays fresh longer
• Your fridge lasts years longer

Think of it this way: Would you drive your truck for 100,000 miles without changing the oil? Nope! The same goes for your trusty refrigerator.

How Often Should You Clean Refrigerator Coils?

Most folks only think about fridge maintenance when something smells funky or the milk goes bad too quick. If you’ve got pets, a lot of dust, or your kitchen sees plenty of foot traffic, slap a reminder on your phone to clean those coils every six months. If your house is cleaner than a hospital, once a year might do the trick.

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a PhD or a drawer full of fancy gadgets. Here’s what gets the job done:

• A coil cleaning brush (you can grab one at any hardware store, or online)
• Vacuum with hose attachment (shop-vac works wonders, too)
• Old rag or microfiber cloth
• Flashlight (because dust bunnies like to hide in the dark)
• Screwdriver (maybe, if you need to pop off a foot plate)

Imagine it like a cowboy heading out for a day of fence repair—pack only what you need.

Step-By-Step Guide: How To Clean Refrigerator Coils

• 1. Unplug the Refrigerator

  First thing—pull the plug! Safety first. Nobody wants a shocking story to tell at the next family get-together.

• 2. Find the Coils

  Most newer fridges have coils underneath, behind a little grill at the front. Some older ones have coils on the back. If you’re not sure, check your owner’s manual or just peek around the base and behind your fridge.

  Quick tip: Have someone spot you while you move the fridge. It’s like backing up a trailer—you want a buddy just in case.

• 3. Remove the Grill (If Needed)

  If there’s a cover down near the floor at the front, pop it off. Usually, it clicks or maybe has a couple of screws. Set the grill aside somewhere you won’t trip over it.

• 4. Vacuum Up Dust and Debris

  Using the vacuum hose, gently suck up all the spiderwebs, dog hair, and dust balls you can find. Don’t be afraid to dig in—get as much as you can without jabbing the coils.

• 5. Brush the Coils

  Take your coil brush and work it in and around the coils. The brush is like a chimney sweep—pulls out dust stuck in every nook and cranny. Sweep the brush back and forth, then vacuum up anything that falls to the floor.

• 6. Wipe Up Stray Dust

  Wrap things up by wiping nearby surfaces with a damp rag. That’ll keep the dust from jumping right back onto your nice clean coils.

• 7. Put Everything Back

  Snap the grill back on, scoot the fridge into place, and plug her back in. Victory dance optional.

Don’t Skip—It Really Matters!

You might say, “Does a little dust matter that much?” You bet your boots, it does! Even a thin layer of grime forces your fridge to work double-time. More work means more power, more breakdowns, and way less money in your wallet.

Cleaning your refrigerator coils might sound about as exciting as watching paint dry, but it saves you a bundle and keeps your fridge running cooler than a snow cone in August.

Common Problems If You Skip Coil Cleaning

• Warmer fridge temps (hello, spoiled steak and melted ice cream)
• Louder noises and longer run times
• Compressor burnout (that’s an expensive fix)
• Ice lining the inside
• A fridge that just quits with no warning

Let’s face it—nobody wants to come home to warm beer.

Maintenance Tips for the Long Haul

• Set a calendar reminder every 6-12 months
• Keep the area around your fridge clear
• Don’t push your fridge right against the wall—a little space helps heat escape
• Listen for weird noises—your fridge is always talking if you pay attention

Like Grandma used to say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of steak.” Well, something like that.

When to Call in the Pros

There are some jobs that beg for backup—from wrestling a stubborn washing machine to rewiring a wonky oven. If:

• Your fridge still runs hot after you clean the coils
• You spot oily residue or hear loud clanking
• You find frost or puddles under your fridge

…it’s time to call for help. No need to risk your fingers or your food.

We’ll Handle the Mess—You Get the Cold Drinks

At Mobile Appliance Repair Service of Houston, we know Texas kitchens and Houston humidity inside and out. Whether you can’t find your fridge coils or the thing is just rattling like a pickup over potholes, our crew can handle it all—fast, friendly, and fair.

Regular maintenance from our team means more time enjoying cold ones and less time worrying about spiking energy bills. We service homes all over Houston, TX. One call and your fridge will run cooler, quieter, and more efficient than ever.

Reach out today at (832) 669-4965 or visit mobile-appliancerepair.com. Let’s get your refrigerator back in fighting shape, so you can get back to what matters—relaxing with the good stuff cold and ready.