Cleaning refrigerator coils: A tutorial

Heather says:

Ivy recently reminded us to clean our fridge coils to keep our refrigerators running efficiently. However, some have asked “Just how do I do that?” Here is a step by step guide to removing the dust and dirt to ensure your fridge is operating in peak condition.

• To reduce the risk of shock, either unplug the fridge or flip the circuit breaker.

• The location of your appliance’s coils will depend on the age of your fridge. On many older models the coils can be reached by removing the kickplate just beneath the doors. This may either snap out of place or may be secured with screws. Once this is removed, I take it outside and spray it down with the hose. If yours is particularly grimy, use degreaser to help break up the film.
• Using the wand attachment to your vacuum and carefully suck out all the grime. Some companies sell specialized attachements that have bristles solely for this purpose, but I believe it to be unnecessary. Replace the kickplate when you have finished.
• There are two other possible locations for the coils. If they are not located beneath the doors, carefully pull the fridge away from the wall. Always move the fridge straight in and straight out to minimize damage to the flooring. The coils will either be exposed on the back of the appliance or behind a kickplate. If the coils are exposed simply vacuum of any dust with the vacuum’s soft bristle attachment. Alternatively, if the coils are extremely grimy, use a rag dampened with degreaser or white vinegar.
• If the coils are not exposed, use a wrench or screwdriver to remove the screws. Just so you don’t think I know everything, I had to look up what these screws are called - hex headed screws.
• Once the plate has been removed, use the soft bristled vacuum tool to remove any built up dust. Replace the cover, sweep or vacuum up any debris, and carefully push the appliance back into place, being sure not to pinch any electrical cords or water lines.

• Restore power to the unit by either resetting the breaker or plugging it in.
• This project should take less than ten minutes start to finish, if it is performed on a regular basis. However, if neglected it may take longer.

Vacuuming those dang refrigerator coils

Ivy says:

A comment on this post reminded me of something I had been wanting to post about for awhile.  Typically, you should be vacuuming your refrigerator coils twice a year with your spring and fall cleaning. Vacuuming the refrigerator coils not only extends the life of your refrigerator, but it helps save electricity, because a dusty fridge has to work harder.

However, if you have pets, you should vacuum more often- the more pets, the more vacuuming. I have 2 cats and a dog, and I vacuum once every couple of months. It really does save electricity costs- when I started doing this, I noticed a small drop in my electricity bill!

Top 5 ways to get your kids to help clean (without paying them)

Dear Home-Ec 101,

My kids whine incessantly when I ask them to help clean, and they do a halfhearted job when they finally clean. How do I get them to help out?

Signed,

Ripping my hair out in Riverdale

Ivy says:

I know what that’s like. My kids still put up a fuss about cleaning, even though they are fairly well “trained”. Fortunately, I have hit on some methods to help you tame the kid-cleaning beast!

1. Start young. As soon as they’re old enough to walk and understand a one-step direction, I get them helping out.  You can direct even the tiniest kids to clean up their toys. You’re going to have to help out at first, but it gets easier. I also have them do a lot of fetch-and-tote things, like, “Throw this in the trash can” and “Find your shoes”.

2. Hold a family meeting. Write down all the chores there are to do in the house and ask for volunteers.  You will be surprised at what chores your kids might like to do. A favorite for the six year old set, I have found, is loading and unloading the dishwasher. Surprisingly, they can do a really good job at it, too, although you will still have to check the dishwasher to make sure it is loaded properly before it’s run.

3. Go on cleaning rampages. When I was a kid, my mom would get in a bad mood and tear through the house, cleaning furiously. My brother and I called them cleaning rampages, as in, “Mom’s on a cleaning rampage, better make sure your room is not too dirty or she’ll come clean your place next.”  Now that I’m an adult, I find the term “cleaning rampage” endearing and I tell the kids we’re about to go on a cleaning rampage. I set the timer and we clean like tornadoes for a certain period of time. Much better than Mom’s style of cleaning rampage.

4. Take them to a really, really nasty house. I learned this quite by accident today. I was helping someone who has one of the nastiest houses I have ever seen move today, and had to bring the kids with me.  Once we left, the kids took deep breaths of fresh clean air and instantly wanted to go home and scrub our house. “Mama, it smelled SO BAD in there! Mama, they have so much JUNK! We need to de-clutter so we don’t end up like that!”

5.  Have cleaning contests. I hesitate to include this because it simply causes too much drama in my own house- with a 13, 6, and 3 year old, their ability levels are so different, that they all try to keep up with each other and end up in a tremendous fight. However, with kids that are closer in age, I’ve seen this work. The kid who has their room clean first, wins. The kid that picks up the most toys, wins. Etc. Your kids don’t know how to clean their own room? Try this primer I wrote on teaching your kids to clean their own room at Curbly.

With these tips, you should be able to get your kids cleaning like pros in no time!

Cleaning 101: The dreaded toilet

Ivy says:

On one hand, I hate cleaning toilets because it’s gross (especially with 2 boys and a grown up man in the house). On the other hand, they always clean up so nicely and I’m pleased when I’m finished. So, no, I wouldn’t say cleaning toilets is the worst household chore.

It is something that must be done, so let’s go about it in the easiest manner. First of all, I keep a toilet brush by my toilet, and every morning, I swish the toilet bowl with just the water to keep the toilet bowl “fresh”.  People with hard water will be able to relate- funk can grow in your toilets very quickly, so it’s easier to do a 30 second daily maintenance than to have to actually scrub your toilet when cleaning time rolls around.

When cleaning time does roll around, I use a good toilet bowl cleaner- my favorite is the Lysol Cling toilet bowl cleaner. I squirt it around the edge of the bowl, then let it sit. While doing that, I whip out a rag (usually the one I have already used to wipe down the countertops and tub- just make sure you don’t use a rag you’ve used to wipe down the toilet again until AFTER it’s been washed) and wipe down the top of the tank, the top edge of the bowl, and then the bottom and outside of the toilet. That, having boys, is the nastiest part.

Once that’s finished, I use my toilet bowl brush and clean the bowl.  Make sure you get up under the rim- if you’ve been swishing your toilet bowl every morning, this isn’t too heinous a task. Flush and you’re done!

Enjoy your spiffy, clean toilet!

Cleaning 101: Conquer the kitchen

Heather says:

The kitchen is often the heart of the home.  Meals that nourish the body are prepared in here and should be created in a clean setting.  Our lives are so busy, it is hard enough to cook in a clean kitchen, the idea of trying to put together a meal in a dirty one is usually enough to make even me consider the drive through.

So, is there a right way to tackle this beast?

• Start with the sink.  If it is really dirty and needs to soak put things away while you wait. Declutter!

• Once the sink is shining, wipe down the counters and appliances.  Don’t forget the microwave!

• Use a degreaser or diluted vinegar and wipe down the cabinets.

• Sweep and mop.

The first deep clean is the hardest.  By giving the kitchen a quick wipe down after each meal you’ll save yourself a lot of time and elbow grease.  I clean out the fridge as I plan the week’s menu, getting rid of anything that can’t be used and wiping up any spills.  Cooking, especially for a family, is much easier when there isn’t a mountain of dishes in the way.  It took time to build the habit, but I start the dishwasher each night before I go to bed and unload it first thing in the morning, while the coffee is brewing.  If there is a child that is supposed to be in charge of this chore do not punish yourself by waiting for them to get around to it.  Consider deducting your time and effort from their allowance or temporarily substitute a more dreaded chore.

« Previous Page — Next Page »