During spring clean up, you tackle some cleaning jobs that you might not do at any other time of the year. One such job is completely emptying out and cleaning your refrigerator and freezer. 

It's a good idea to take care of certain maintenance tasks when you've got both your refrigerator and freezer completely empty. The following are a few maintenance practices you might want to get out of the way during spring cleaning to ensure the longevity and proper functioning of your unit

Inspecting the gasket

The gasket is the rubber door seal that extends around the refrigerator and freezer doors. This small refrigerator component is important to maximizing the efficiency of the unit. 

If there are tears or holes in the gasket, cold air can get out of the refrigerator and freezer. This wastes energy and increases energy demands. If you notice any holes in your gasket, you need to have it replaced as soon as possible. 

Checking the temperature settings

Your refrigerator and freezer need to be set on the right temperature to maximize efficiency. The temperature can get accidentally switched to the wrong setting, so it's a good idea to check it during spring cleaning. 

Ideally, you should keep your refrigerator set between 35 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Your freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Defrosting your freezer

A freezer needs to be periodically defrosted to prevent the accumulation of frost around the walls. This accumulation can detract from efficiency and take up freezer space.

You can defrost your freezer by turning off the thermostat or unplugging it until all of the frost has melted. 

Clearing drip openings and drain holes

Drip openings in your refrigerator help channel any collected condensation down to a pan or drain which is usually located near the unit's compressor. These openings need to stay clear to stop excess condensation from building up and decreasing the unit's efficiency. 

Make sure it's level

If a refrigerator/freezer unit is not level, it may experience malfunctions that shorten the life of motors and other mechanical parts. Condensation in the unit can also occur if the unit is not resting level. 

You can make sure that your unit is not resting unevenly by putting a level along the top of the machine and checking the reading. Check that it's level both front-to-back and side-to-side. If the level shows that your refrigerator is not resting evenly, you might want to call a technician to help remedy the problem. 

Replacing your water filter

If your refrigerator includes a water and ice dispenser, you need to regularly change the water filter to ensure purity. You can consult the manufacturer's instructions to find out how to change your filter. 

For more spring clean up tips, talk to a professional.