How to Clean the Coils Under Your Refrigerator

Why Your Refrigerator Coils Need Cleaning

The coils under your refrigerator pull heat out of the fridge and dump it into the room. Dust, pet hair, and debris stick to these coils and act like a blanket, trapping heat and forcing your compressor to work harder. When coils stay dirty, your refrigerator runs longer, uses more electricity, and wears out faster. Cleaning them every six months keeps your fridge running efficiently and can add years to its life.

You'll notice your refrigerator is struggling when it runs almost constantly, the motor sounds louder than usual, or the back wall feels unusually warm. These are signs the coils are clogged. The good news: cleaning takes about 15 minutes and requires only a few basic tools you likely already have.

Key Takeaways

• Unplug your refrigerator before you start cleaning to avoid electrical shock and give the compressor a rest.
• Most coils sit in a tray underneath the fridge, accessed by removing a front panel or by sliding the fridge forward to reach the back coils.
• A coil brush (a long, thin brush made for this job) or an old toothbrush removes dust far better than a vacuum alone.
• Vacuum the coils after brushing to pick up loosened debris, then vacuum the floor around the fridge to prevent dust from settling back on the coils.
• Clean your coils every six months, or more often if you have pets or live in a dusty environment.

Locating Your Refrigerator Coils

Coils are located in one of two places: underneath the fridge in a pull-out tray, or along the back wall. Check your refrigerator's manual to know which type you have—the manual usually includes a diagram. If you don't have the manual, look at the bottom front of your fridge. If you see a removable grille or panel, your coils are underneath. If the grille doesn't come off easily, your coils are likely on the back.

For bottom-mounted coils, pull the front grille straight toward you—it usually snaps or clips into place and comes free with gentle pressure. For back-mounted coils, you'll need to pull the entire refrigerator away from the wall. This is easier with a helper. Unplug the fridge first, then slide it forward slowly, watching the power cord and water line (if your fridge has an ice maker) so they don't get pinched.

Gathering Your Cleaning Tools

You need a brush designed for refrigerator coils, a vacuum with a hose attachment, and a flashlight. A coil brush is a long, thin brush with bristles that fit between the coil fins—they cost $10 to $20 and last for years. If you don't have one, an old toothbrush works, though it will take longer. A vacuum alone won't remove the dust that's packed into the coils; the brush loosens it first.

Wear old clothes or an apron because dust will fall on you. Have a trash bag or old newspaper nearby to catch debris. If your coils are on the back of the fridge, a flashlight makes it much easier to see what you're doing and spot missed spots.

Cleaning Bottom-Mounted Coils

After unplugging the fridge and removing the front grille, you'll see a shallow tray with coils running through it. Use your coil brush to scrub the coils gently but firmly, working from one end to the other. Brush in the direction the fins run—usually side to side—so you're pushing dust out rather than deeper in. Don't worry about being too rough; these coils are built to handle it.

Once you've brushed the entire coil surface, attach the hose to your vacuum and suck up all the loosened dust. Vacuum the tray itself too, since dust settles there. Wipe the tray with a damp cloth if it's visibly grimy. Slide the grille back into place, push the fridge back to its original position, and plug it in. The whole job takes about 10 minutes.

Cleaning Back-Mounted Coils

Back coils are trickier because you have to move the fridge. Unplug it first, then ask someone to help you pull it forward slowly. Once the back is exposed, use your flashlight to locate the coils—they usually run horizontally across the back wall. Brush them the same way you would bottom coils: gently but firmly, working along the direction of the fins.

Vacuum up the dust as you go, because it will fall onto the floor and the wall behind the fridge. Pay special attention to the area where the coils meet the compressor (usually a large metal cylinder at the bottom). Dust loves to collect there. Once you're done, vacuum the floor and wall behind the fridge, then carefully push the fridge back into place, making sure the power cord and any water lines aren't pinched.

How Often to Clean and What to Watch For

Clean your coils every six months as a standard schedule. If you have pets, live in a dusty area, or run your fridge in a garage or basement, clean them every three months instead. You'll know it's time when the fridge runs more than usual or feels warm to the touch on the back or bottom.

After cleaning, your fridge should run quieter and feel cooler within a few hours. If it doesn't, or if it still runs constantly, the problem may be something else—a faulty thermostat, a stuck damper, or a compressor issue. But in most cases, dirty coils are the culprit, and cleaning them restores normal operation.

Preventing Coil Buildup Between Cleanings

Dust settles on coils fastest in homes with pets, smokers, or lots of cooking. You can slow buildup by vacuuming the floor around your fridge weekly and keeping the area clear of clutter. If your fridge sits in a garage or basement, consider a coil cover—a mesh sleeve that slides over the coils and catches dust before it sticks. These cost $15 to $30 and make cleaning easier because you can wash the cover instead of scrubbing the coils themselves.

Keep the fridge at least 2 inches away from the wall so air can circulate around the back. If it's crammed into a tight space, heat builds up and forces the compressor to work harder, which means coils get dirtier faster because the fridge runs longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I clean the coils without unplugging the fridge?

No. Unplugging protects you from electrical shock if you accidentally touch a live wire, and it gives the compressor a break while you work. It takes 30 seconds to unplug and plug back in, and it's worth the safety margin.

What if I can't get the front grille off?

Check your manual first—some grilles slide sideways instead of pulling straight out. If it truly won't budge, don't force it; you might break a clip. In that case, your coils are probably on the back, and you'll need to move the fridge forward instead.

Is a coil brush really necessary, or will a vacuum work?

A vacuum alone leaves most of the dust behind because it's packed into the fins. A brush loosens it first, then the vacuum picks it up. A coil brush is cheap and lasts years, so it's worth buying. An old toothbrush works in a pinch but takes much longer.

What should I do if dust falls on me while I'm cleaning?

Wear old clothes and an apron. If you're sensitive to dust, wear a dust mask. The dust isn't toxic, but it can be thick and annoying. Working slowly and vacuuming as you go keeps the mess smaller.

How do I know if my coils are on the bottom or the back?

Check your manual first—it will have a diagram. If you don't have the manual, look for a removable grille at the bottom front of the fridge. If one is there, your coils are underneath. If not, they're on the back.