What to do when the refrigerator is out of use for a long time
- A4L Sugar Land
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
Creating a cozy and peaceful summer home requires carefully selected appliances that enhance comfort without sacrificing style and efficiency. Appliances 4 Less Sugarland offers residents of Alvin, Conroe, Texas City, Galveston, and more a selection of opened, scratched, and dented appliances that are perfect for summer living. Here’s our guide to the must-have appliances for a cozy summer home.
As the guardian of food preservation in modern families, the life span and Operation State of refrigerators are directly related to the quality of life. However, when it enters long-term dormancy due to decoration, relocation or seasonal adjustment, many people have caused equipment damage, energy consumption surge, and even hidden safety hazards due to improper handling. Next, I will introduce you to the refrigerator long-term shutdown of some of the processing methods to help you guard the health of household appliances with scientific methods.

1、Internal cleaning and sterilization
(1). deep clean inner wall and bulkhead
Be sure to empty all food thoroughly before discontinuing use to prevent residue. With 1:10 dilution of baking soda solution and other neutral cleaners, carefully wipe the walls, drawers, partitions. To seal the gap and drainage holes, with a soft brush or cotton swab repeatedly in-depth cleaning. After cleaning, thoroughly dry the interior with a dry cloth.
(2). odor treatment
First put in the refrigerator activated carbon bag, coffee grounds or lemon slices, the use of its adsorption to remove residual odor. If the odor is difficult to remove, the white vinegar and water according to 1:3 deployment after wiping the refrigerator wall, by acetic acid and odor molecules. After cleaning, leave the refrigerator door completely open for a few hours and allow it to ventilate and dry.
2、moisture-proof mildew prevention measures
(1). the use and selection of desiccant
Humidity is the biggest enemy when a refrigerator is out of use. Silica gel desiccant placed in the corner, its moisture absorption capacity is ordinary desiccant 3-5 times, can effectively maintain the environment dry. Avoid the use of lime desiccant, powder leakage to prevent contamination of the internal.
(2). maintenance skills of door seal
The door seal is easy to aging and cracking, resulting in air-conditioning leakage. After cleaning, apply a small amount of vaseline, can form a protective film, delay rubber aging, while enhancing sealing. Keep the refrigerator door slightly open during storage to avoid long-term compression and deformation of the seal.
(3). choice of storage environment
Refrigerator should be placed in a dry, ventilated, dark place, away from the toilet, kitchen and other humid areas. If you need to move the refrigerator, be sure to use cardboard or foam fixed compressor and other parts, to avoid transport vibration caused by pipe rupture.

3、refrigeration system protection
(1). empty the refrigerant
Long-term decommissioning of the refrigerator, the need for professional operation of the refrigerant emptying. Turn off the power of the refrigerator, connect the professional recovery equipment to the refrigeration system, and turn on the equipment to slowly suction, and safely recover the refrigerant to the special container to avoid direct discharge to pollute the environment. Check the tightness of the system after emptying to ensure no residual refrigerant and prevent subsequent corrosion.
(2). measures to prevent pipeline corrosion
During the shutdown period, anti-corrosion treatment should be carried out on the refrigerator pipeline. Thoroughly clean the inner wall of the pipe to remove residual moisture and impurities; purge the pipe with dry nitrogen to keep the inside dry; smear rust-proof grease at the pipe joint to form a protective film. Finally, the refrigerator is placed in a dry and ventilated place to avoid accelerating the oxidation and corrosion of metal pipes in humid environment.
4、Accessories and accessories management
(1). storage of disassembled parts
During the period of outage, glass partitions, ice boxes and other removable parts should be stored separately. Wrap with soft cloth and place in dry place to avoid damage. If the parts have cracks, need to be replaced in time to prevent the use of broken.
(2). protection of power cord
After pulling out the plug, fix the power cord with cable to avoid winding or trampling, which may damage the insulation layer. Before long-term storage, it is recommended to wrap the metal part of the plug with insulating tape to prevent poor oxidation contact.
(3). enclosure protection and cloth cover selection
The refrigerator shell should be covered with a breathable cloth cover, which can not only prevent dust, but also maintain ventilation and prevent the interior from being hot and humid. Avoid using plastic wrap, otherwise it may cause internal condensation due to air tightness.

5、regular maintenance and inspection
(1). condenser cleaning cycle
When the refrigerator is out of use for a long time, it is recommended to clean the condenser (at the back or bottom of the refrigerator) every six months, and use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to remove dust and ensure heat dissipation efficiency. Long-term neglect of condenser cleaning can lead to compressor overheating and shorten equipment life.
(2). short-term power supply
If the refrigerator needs to be out of use for a long time, it is recommended that the short-term power once every one to two months. Every time running several hours, let the compressor and other parts work normally, to prevent the internal pipeline due to long-term static oil plugging or refrigerant precipitation, in order to extend the service life of the refrigerator, to ensure the subsequent normal use.

Conclusion
The long-term deactivation of refrigerators is not simply a matter of power outages, but requires systematic scientific treatment. From deep cleaning to moisture and mildew proof, from refrigeration system protection to accessories management, every detail is related to the health and life of the equipment. Through the above processing method, you can not only avoid common mistakes, but also let the refrigerator in the“Vacation” remains in the best condition, continue to escort your table.



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