Whether you’re sprucing up your appliances because you’re selling your home, or just finished buying a home and shining up your new place, it pays to keep your appliances clean.  Some routine cleaning also extends the life of your refrigerator.  Handy tips include:

1) Monthly:  Clean the inside with a solution of 1 to 2 Tablespoons baking soda mixed in a quart of warm water, rinse and dry; use a non-abrasive cloth or sponge

2) Quarterly:  Clean interior door gaskets with the baking soda solution

3) Twice a Year:  Unplug the refrigerator and clean the coils with a special coil brush, or a vacuum attachment; most grills pull off and easily snap back on; If you have ice and water dispensers, replace the filters

4) Anually:  Slide the refrigerator out of its space and vacuum the floor area to remove dirt and hair (which will clog the coils); often little dust webs cling to the walls behind the refrigerator

For refrigerator health, the ideal temperature is about 37 degrees and 0 degrees for the freezer.  Also, be sure to also keep the refrigerator pulled out a few inches from the wall and that nothing on top blocks the air flow from behind, so that heat coming off the condenser coils can escape.

Don’t have a home yet?   You can view all Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Pittsboro area Multiple Listed homes at www.GreatTriangleHomes.com