Something we don't think about very often... condenser coils. Those hard working little guys keep your refrigerator working efficiently, but they need some occasional TLC. You should be cleaning the coils on your refrigerator every 6 months to a year (more often if you have pets in the house). The fridge will be unable to cool properly if the coils are covered with dust and/or pet hair. Help extend the life of your fridge and save some money on costly repairs by performing this task that should take 15 minutes or less.
You'll find the coils either behind the fridge, or underneath it. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator before beginning. If the coils are underneath, you may have to remove the toe plate or access panel to expose them. Once the coils are exposed, vacuum them using the crevice tool. Be sure to get all around them. While you have the fridge pulled away from it's normal spot, go ahead and vacuum the floor and wall that are usually blocked. Once you are finished vacuuming, use a coil brush (you can find one at most home improvement or big box stores) to scrub all around the coils. Be careful that you don't push the brush too deep and go past the coils. You can keep the vacuum running nearby to catch the extra dust that is being removed by the coil brush. Once you have finished with the vacuum and coil brush, be sure to put back any access panels you may have removed before restoring the fridge to it's proper place. Remember to plug it back in.
Happy cleaning!