How to clean refrigerator coils
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Authors | Maria Hester |
| Location | Arcata, California |
| Status | |
| Years | |
| Tools | Vacuum, Dryer Brush |
The usefulness of cleaning refrigerator coils is debated at Should I clean my refrigerator coils. Please read that before proceeding.
Steps
[edit | edit source]Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and other appliances and shut off the electricity by unplugging the power cord. For built-in refrigerators, turn the respective circuit breaker off.
Remove both (or just the kick plate, in built-in models) cover plates to expose the condenser coils. Most plates come off without any disassembly of fasteners; others are screwed on, especially the back plate.
If a vacuum is available, use the long, narrow hose attachment to clean out the debris in and around the coils.
- Using a bottle brush or a dryer vent brush will help immensely; especially if your refrigerator is old and hasn't been cleaned for a very long time.
- If a vacuum is not available, using a bottle brush or a dryer vent brush will do the trick just as well.
After cleaning, restore the cover plates onto the refrigerator and turn the power back on.
Tips
[edit | edit source]Cleaning the condenser coils in your refrigerator saves energy and money. For side-by-side or built-in refrigerators, cleaning should be performed at least twice a year. For refrigerators with coils mounted on the back of the refrigerator, cleaning the coils at least once a year is sufficient. The entire process should take 10 to 45 minutes, depending on how dirty the coils are; overall, it is a quick way to save money on your next energy bill.
Warnings
[edit | edit source]Make sure the electricity is turned off before attempting to clean your refrigerator's condenser coils!
Things You will Need
[edit | edit source]- Vacuum and/or
- Dryer Brush
Sources and Citations
[edit | edit source]Text
Images
[edit | edit source]| Authors | Maria Hester |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-3.0 |
| Organizations | Cal Poly Humboldt |
| Cite as | Maria Hester (2008–2025). "How to clean refrigerator coils". Appropedia. Retrieved June 6, 2026. |