Here’s something most people don’t know: your refrigerator has coils that need regular cleaning. I had no idea either until my fridge started making a weird humming noise and my electric bill crept up for no obvious reason.
It turns out those coils — usually located on the back or underneath the fridge — are responsible for releasing heat. When they get covered in dust, pet hair, and grime, they can’t do their job properly. Your refrigerator has to work harder to stay cold, which means higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for one of the most expensive appliances in your home.
The fix is surprisingly simple. Cleaning your refrigerator coils takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and you only need to do it twice a year. This guide shows you exactly how.
Why Cleaning Refrigerator Coils Matters
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about why this matters.
Lower Energy Bills
When coils are dirty, your refrigerator uses more electricity to maintain the same temperature. The US Department of Energy estimates that cleaning your coils can reduce your fridge’s energy consumption by up to 25 percent. That’s a noticeable difference on your monthly bill.
Longer Appliance Life
A refrigerator that runs constantly because of dirty coils wears out faster. The compressor — the most expensive part to replace — has to work overtime. Regular coil cleaning can add years to your fridge’s life.
Better Cooling Performance
If you’ve noticed your ice cream is soft or your milk isn’t as cold as it should be, dirty coils might be the reason. When the coils can’t release heat efficiently, the whole cooling system suffers.
Fewer Repairs
Refrigerator repairs are expensive. A service call alone can cost $100 to $200, and replacing a compressor can run $400 to $1,200. Spending 30 minutes twice a year cleaning the coils is cheap insurance.
Where Are Your Refrigerator Coils?
Before you can clean them, you need to find them. There are two common locations:
Back-Mounted Coils
Older refrigerators and some larger models have coils on the back. These are easy to see — they look like a grid of thin metal tubes, usually painted black.
If your fridge has back-mounted coils, you’ll need to pull it away from the wall to access them. This requires a bit more effort but the cleaning itself is straightforward.
Bottom-Mounted Coils
Most modern refrigerators have coils underneath, behind a base grille or kick plate at the bottom front. You don’t need to move the fridge to clean these, which is convenient, but they tend to collect more dust because they’re close to the floor.
To access them, you’ll need to remove the grille or panel at the bottom front of the fridge. It usually snaps off or is held by a couple of screws.
Not sure which type you have? Check your refrigerator’s manual, or just look. If you see coils on the back, that’s where they are. If the back is flat and solid, they’re underneath.
What You’ll Need
The supplies are minimal:
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a crevice tool
- A coil cleaning brush (long, thin, flexible brush designed for this purpose — costs about $5 to $10 at a hardware store or online)
- A flashlight
- A damp cloth
- Someone to help you move the fridge if the coils are on the back
You don’t need special cleaning solutions. Dry brushing and vacuuming is the standard method. Using liquids on the coils can cause problems, so stick to dry cleaning.
How to Clean Back-Mounted Coils
If your coils are on the back of the fridge, follow these steps:
Step 1: Unplug the Refrigerator
This is important for safety. Don’t skip it. If you can’t reach the outlet, turn off the circuit breaker that powers the fridge.
Step 2: Pull the Fridge Away from the Wall
Get someone to help you with this. Refrigerators are heavy and awkward to move. Pull it straight out slowly, being careful not to damage the floor. If you have hardwood or vinyl flooring, put a piece of cardboard or a furniture slider under the wheels first.
Don’t pull it out too far — just enough to comfortably reach the coils, usually about two to three feet from the wall.
Step 3: Vacuum the Coils
Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to gently remove the bulk of the dust and pet hair from the coils. Work from top to bottom. Don’t press hard — the coils are made of thin metal tubing and can be bent or damaged.
If your vacuum has a crevice tool, use it to get between the rows of coils where dust collects.
Step 4: Use a Coil Brush
A coil cleaning brush is designed to reach between the coils where a vacuum can’t. Gently insert it between the rows of coils and sweep back and forth. The dust will fall to the floor — vacuum it up as you go.
If you don’t have a coil brush, you can use a long-handled duster or even a clean, dry paintbrush. Just be gentle.
Step 5: Clean the Floor
Vacuum up all the dust that fell to the floor. Wipe the floor with a damp cloth if needed.
Step 6: Push the Fridge Back and Plug It In
Carefully push the fridge back into position. Make sure there’s at least an inch or two of space between the back of the fridge and the wall for air circulation. Plug it back in.
How to Clean Bottom-Mounted Coils
If your coils are underneath the fridge, the process is a bit different:
Step 1: Unplug the Refrigerator
Same as above. Always unplug before cleaning.
Step 2: Remove the Base Grille
Look at the bottom front of your refrigerator. There should be a plastic or metal grille that snaps off or is held by a couple of screws. Remove it and set it aside.
Step 3: Shine a Flashlight Inside
Use your flashlight to look under the fridge. You’ll probably see the coils and likely a significant amount of dust, pet hair, and possibly debris that has been swept under there over time.
Step 4: Vacuum the Coils
Use your vacuum’s crevice tool or brush attachment to clean as much dust as you can reach from the front. Work carefully — the coils are delicate and there may also be a fan in there that you don’t want to damage.
Step 5: Use a Coil Brush
Insert the coil cleaning brush from the front and gently sweep the coils. Move the brush back and forth to dislodge dust, then vacuum it up. You may need to do this a few times to get all the dust.
If your arms are long enough and the space allows, you can also reach in from the back of the fridge with the brush to clean the coils from the other side.
Step 6: Clean the Grille
While you have the base grille off, wash it with warm soapy water, dry it, and snap it back into place.
Step 7: Plug the Fridge Back In
Reattach the grille and plug the refrigerator back in.
How Often Should You Clean Refrigerator Coils?
The general recommendation is twice a year. But it depends on your situation:
- Twice a year for most homes
- Every three months if you have shedding pets, live in a dusty area, or the fridge is in a high-traffic area like a kitchen that gets a lot of foot traffic
- Once a year might be enough if you don’t have pets and your home stays relatively dust-free
An easy way to remember: clean the coils when you change your clocks for daylight saving time, or at the start of spring and fall.
Signs Your Coils Need Cleaning
Not sure if it’s time? Look for these signs:
- The refrigerator runs constantly or cycles on more frequently than usual
- Your electric bill has gone up without explanation
- The fridge feels warm on the sides or back
- Ice cream is softer than normal or items in the fridge aren’t as cold as they should be
- You hear the compressor running louder than usual
- It’s been more than six months since you last cleaned them
If any of these sound familiar, check the coils. It takes five seconds to look and could save you money.
Additional Refrigerator Maintenance Tips
While you’re at it, here are a few other simple things you can do to keep your refrigerator running efficiently:
Check the Door Seals
Close the door on a dollar bill. If you can pull it out easily without resistance, the seal is weak and may need to be replaced. Do this all the way around the door.
Set the Right Temperature
Your fridge should be between 37°F and 40°F (3°C and 4°C). The freezer should be at 0°F (-18°C). Setting it colder than necessary wastes energy.
Keep It Full but Not Overpacked
A full fridge retains cold better than an empty one because the food acts as thermal mass. But don’t overstuff it — air needs to circulate to keep everything at a consistent temperature.
Cover Your Food
Uncovered food releases moisture, which makes the compressor work harder. Use containers or wrap food before putting it in the fridge.
Don’t Put Hot Food Inside
Let leftovers cool to room temperature before putting them in the fridge. Hot food raises the internal temperature and forces the compressor to work overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use water or cleaning spray on the coils?
No. The coils should be cleaned dry. Using water or liquid cleaners can cause rust, electrical problems, or damage to the components. Stick to vacuuming and dry brushing.
What if the coils are really dirty and the brush isn’t enough?
For extremely dirty coils, you may need to use compressed air to blow the dust out. Do this carefully and wear a dust mask because it will create a cloud of dust. If the coils are greasy (common in kitchens), you can wipe them gently with a barely damp cloth, but make sure the fridge is unplugged and the coils are completely dry before plugging it back in.
My fridge is built into the cabinets and I can’t move it. What do I do?
If you can’t access the back, clean the coils from underneath through the base grille. A coil brush with a long handle can reach quite far. If you truly can’t access the coils at all, you may need to have a professional service it once a year.
How much money can I save by cleaning the coils?
It depends on how dirty they are and your local electricity rates, but estimates range from $5 to $15 per month on your energy bill. Over a year, that’s $60 to $180 in savings for 30 minutes of work twice a year.
Can dirty coils cause my refrigerator to break?
Yes. If the coils are severely blocked, the compressor has to run constantly to maintain temperature. Over time, this can cause the compressor to overheat and fail. Replacing a compressor often costs enough that people choose to buy a new refrigerator instead. Regular coil cleaning is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your appliance.