Experts recommend that you clean behind your fridge at least once every three months. This will keep dust and bits of food to a minimum, which in turn can prevent bad odors and reduce the occurrence of pests and allergies. Additionally, if there is any dampness in the area, mold could start to grow.
It's perfectly fine. If you leave that cardboard under there and it gets moist from the coils, you're gonna have mushrooms growing outta that cardboard from the damp, dark, humid conditions. And you don't want that. Well, you're a college kid, maybe you do.
If your refrigerator smells exceptionally bad, mix about 1⁄2 cup of baking soda with a tablespoon or two of vanilla extract. Place the bowl on the bottom shelf of the fridge, and after a few days the baking soda and vanilla mixture will effectively and completely remove bad smells.
Newer refrigerator models have their coils at the back so leaving space is imperative to have proper ventilation.
Short Answer: Yes! You should clean the back of your refrigerator. Long answer: You should clean the back of your refrigerator AND underneath it, too at least once a year.
Storing dishes that are still warm inside a fridge can also release moisture. The moisture from these items will condense on the coldest part of the fridge, the rear wall, as condensation. Until the temperature inside the fridge stabilizes again, the condensation will remain.
Refrigerator smells come from either bacteria or mold, often from food spoilage or moisture buildup. The interior of the refrigerator is primarily made of plastic, and plastic absorbs odours. If the refrigerator is not regularly cleaned, it is most likely the reason why it smells.
Cardboard Under Condenser
This is actually a piece of Masonite and it is there to ensure proper air flow. Do not remove it.
You need the cardboard cover on the back of the refrigerator. It helps direct the flow of air from the fan over the condenser. Otherwise the refrigerator will overheat.
It's positioned at the bottom of the refrigerator and you can easily pull it out by sliding a putty knife between the appliance and the kick panel itself.
Condenser coils can be located at the back or bottom of the refrigerator. Back coils are typically used in older refrigerators, while bottom coils are used in newer models. Bottom coils allow for better heat dissipation and are more efficient, making them the preferred choice in modern refrigerators.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
Without a functioning air filter, your refrigerator can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms that can contaminate your food and cause health issues.
It is installed in the back panel of a fridge to deodorize and clean the intake air as well as the circulating air inside. A fridge filter works much like an air filter inside your home, but it is specialized at removing impurities from air that can cause food to spoil.
If your fridge smells bad at the back, give the coils a check. Solution: Clean the refrigerator coils located either under or behind your fridge. You can do this by brushing away any dust and food particles using a coil cleaning brush and vacuuming up all loose dust.
When condensation forms in your fridge, that water runs down the drain hole into a tray at the bottom of the appliance. The hole is usually behind the salad drawers, though this varies depending on your fridge's make and model. Check your machine's user manual if you're unsure of its location.
The Best: Remodeez Aqua Refrigerator Deodorizer
This means that a single Remodeez will last much longer than anything full of baking soda (though the baking soda models can be refilled). Basically, you only need to replace it every six months—which is about five months and 27 days longer than your oldest leftovers.
While it is normal to find a small amount of water or ice on the back of your fridge, it is not normal for there to be large amounts of frost/ice build-up inside your appliance.
Based on these two factors here's the number your fridge should be set on: If you're always storing plenty of food you need the colder settings (3 to 4). If you're not storing as much choose between 2 and 3. If the temperature is very low, ice will form and it may prevent air circulation.
The degree of air humidity and the amount and temperature of fresh food can influence the degree of condensation inside the fridge. During the cooling process, the humidity/moisture starts to condense on the back wall as this is one of the coldest places in the fridge.