Refrigerator storage is one of the biggest issues people have to deal with whenever they’re thinking of moving to a different place. Perhaps you’re planning to go on a long vacation, or you simply want to renovate your house. Whatever the case, you’ll need a storage unit. But, for how long can you store your refrigerator without being used?
Refrigerators can last for many years without being used if stored properly. With the proper storage unit, your refrigerator will stay mold-free and odorless for as long as you keep it in there. However, you must first defrost it for a week or two to ensure it doesn’t have any moisture left before storing it.
Below guidelines will ensure you store your refrigerator as it should, so you stay worry-free wherever you are.
Can A Refrigerator Go Bad If You Don’t Use It?
Refrigerators usually produce some stinky smell when not in use for long. However, if you properly store them, they can last for more extended periods without going bad when not in use. Yes, it’s possible to eliminate the stinky smell from the refrigerators with proper storage.
There are two ways you can use to keep your refrigerator from smelling. Defrosting to remove all the moisture inside is one way. Then, leave it for at least one week before packing.
Remember, a refrigerator needs ample time to release the moisture it absorbed over time. So, to capture all the water inside, you can place paper towels and dryer sheets inside after defrosting. Later, when you’re ready to pack the refrigerator, you can replace these materials with the more scented dryer sheets to give it that aromatic smell for the entire storage period.
Putting moisture absorbers such as charcoal briquettes, baking soda, and silica gel inside your refrigerator is also a great way to ensure that it doesn’t stink when you don’t use it.
Should You Put Your Refrigerator in A Storage Facility?
Perhaps you’ve been asking yourself if it’s ok to keep your refrigerator in a storage facility when you travel. If you want your fridge to remain in top condition, putting it in a storage facility is the best option.
Many things continue to advance today, thanks to technology. Storage facilities offer both humidity and climate control features. Also, the storage units in these facilities have all the necessary materials to protect your refrigerator against extreme weather conditions.
Furthermore, storage units come in various sizes. This means that your refrigerator would fit in regardless of its size. Plus, they’re clean and offer maximum security 24/7. So, you don’t have to worry about your fridge getting infested with pests or someone stealing it.
Most storage facilities have insurance covers against loss due to natural calamities and unexpected incidents. This will give you peace of mind when you’re on vacation. So, putting your refrigerator in a storage facility is indeed a good idea.
Step by Step Guide: How to Store a Refrigerator When Not in Use
You can’t just wake up one morning and decide that you’re ready to store your refrigerator. Storing a fridge when not in use, especially for several months, requires adequate preparation. There are also several steps involved to ensure it remains clean, mold-free, and odorless. All these are possible only if it stays dry.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can properly store your refrigerator when not in use.
Step 1: You need to clean and disinfect your fridge
The first step is to unplug your refrigerator from the electricity to allow it to defrost. Besides defrosting, unplugging will also help remove the connections in the hose pipe. The idea here is to get rid of all the moisture and water inside your refrigerator.
Use soapy water to clean the interior after you’ve removed all the items inside. Then, use towels to dry it. You can also use hot water to kill all the germs inside, then later disinfect it using vinegar.
Don’t forget to also remove all the shelves from your fridge and clean. You don’t need to return the shelves inside once they’re clean and dry. Instead, you can keep them inside your kitchen drawers. Keeping them inside the drawers will ensure they remain secured when you move the refrigerator to a storage facility or a different place.
You also need to clean the exterior part and the refrigerator coils to remove any pests. You can use a dry towel or a vacuum cleaner for the exterior job.
Step 2: Position your refrigerator well
It doesn’t matter at this stage where you intend to keep your refrigerator. All that matters is how you position it. You shouldn’t lay it on its sides, no matter what. If you do, the compressor oil will quickly move to the filter drier.
Once it fills up, the balls inside the filter drier will clump up and eventually rust, restricting the recycling of the refrigerant. In other words, your refrigerator will not get cold when you put it at an angle.
The correct position to keep your refrigerator is upright. But, there are situations where you’ll have no choice but to keep your refrigerator lying on its sides. In this case, you must ensure that it doesn’t face the filter when you lay it down.
There’s a tube on the other side of the compressor. This tube will move the oil back to the compressor the moment you position it back upright. However, you have to give it time to happen before you can plug your refrigerator into the socket.
You can follow the manual guidelines on how long you should wait before plugging. But, it’s better and safer to wait for 24 hours to allow all the oil to get back to the compressor. This is because older refrigerator models tend to take more extended periods than the newer models for the oil to reach the bottom of the compressor.
Step 3: Safely move your refrigerator to a location of your choice
Most people prefer doing things on their own without involving others for various reasons. It could be to save money, or they don’t just feel right asking for help. However, in this case, you need to call for assistance to move your refrigerator to its storage location safely.
You can easily strain your back if you try pushing it without the dolly. Even worse, you risk damaging your refrigerator when you hit it hard on the external objects along the way. Remember to also tape and bubble wrap your refrigerator to prevent its exterior part from getting bumps and scratches while moving it.
Step 4: Choosing the right storage facility
Should you decide to keep your refrigerator in a storage facility, ensure you settle for the right one. There are so many of them out there, offering different prices for the duration you’ll be away. However, not all of these storage facilities are up to the right standard.
How safe will your refrigerator be in their custody? Is the place insured? These are the two most important questions you should ask yourself before settling for one. You can also shop around comparing their prices, so you don’t get overcharged.
Conclusion
You can store your refrigerator for as long as you need to as long as you keep it properly. You have to follow all the above tips to ensure you don’t buy a new refrigerator when you return from your vacation. It could be a lot, but worth your precious time.
Always keep in mind that it’s necessary to keep your refrigerator clean and moisture-free to avoid having a foul smell and attracting mold. So, keep it dry always.
