Planning to go away on that long vacation you’ve been planning for? Are wondering the best way to keep your fridge fresh and in good working condition while you are gone?
Sometimes there information out there about whether to leave the fridge plugged in or not can be confusing, leaving you to find a mess – mold and bad odor in your fridge when you come back.
So, in this post, I will share some advice on whether to leave your fridge plugged and running when going away or not, how you can maintain your fridge fresh and free of mold, and how to minimize energy usage.
To Unplug your Fridge or Not when going on Vacation
This really depends on how long you plan to be away, whether you are concerned about the energy drawn by your fridge, and if the utility power available is unreliable or not.
If you plan to be away for less than a month, you can keep the fridge plugged in and running unless the utility power is not reliable.
It is best to empty the fridge, unplug it and follow the steps here if the utility is unreliable, or else the food can go bad leaving a mess for you to clean.
Should you keep food in the fridge, leave the thermostat set at the normal (usual) temperature.
If you will be away for longer than a month, you can switch off and unplug the fridge from the power outlet. Remove all the food from the fridge and keep the door open. This stops the energy consumption from the fridge.
Check here for what additional steps to take to keep the fridge safe and fresh when it is unplugged for a longer time.
Is it Better to Unplug the Fridge or to Leave it plugged in and Running?
This depends. If you plan to be away for a month or so, it is probably okay to leave the fridge plugged in and running unless the utility power is unreliable.
if you will be gone longer or there is a risk of a power outage – tripped breaker, utility outage then it is probably better to unplug the fridge.
In addition, follow the steps below to keep the fridge fresh and free of mold.
Will a Fridge Work if it is Not Plugged for Several Months or Years?
Likely it will continue working. I kept a fridge unused and not plugged into an outlet for over 2 years and it worked well after powering it.
If you have to use a fridge that has not been in service for a long time, give it a thorough clean so that it smells fresh and is free from germs that can contaminate the food.
How to Keep your Fridge Fresh and Mold free
To keep the fridge smelling fresh and mold-free when you switch it off, you can follow the steps below:
- If the fridge has an ice maker, switch it off
- If there is a water line connected to the fridge, make sure it is turned off so that there is no water flowing to the fridge.
- Wipe the fridge dry. This helps to slow down the build-up of mold
- Keep the fridge door open. If necessary, place an object like a chair between the fridge door and the rest of the body of the fridge to help keep it on.
This helps to keep the air flowing freely and stops the fridge door from closing.
This step is absolutely important to keep out the mold and keep the fridge smelling fresh.
Additionally, you can place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb any odors that build up and to keep the fridge smelling fresh.
How you Can Remove Mold from Your Fridge
If you accidentally forget to keep the fridge door open have mold in the fridge, try using a good quality mold or mildew stain remover spray recommended for fridges.
These are available on Amazon.
Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging on how to apply it to remove stains.
How to Remove the Bad Odors in the Fridge?
You can prevent the build-up of bad odors by keeping the fridge door open so that you have enough air circulating.
You can also keep an open packet of baking soda or ground coffee on an open plate to absorb the bad odors and keep the fridge smelling fresh.
Does Unplugging the Fridge for a Few Months Damage It?
No, it will not damage. Make sure you remove all the food, wipe it dry, and to keep the fridge door open to allow air to circulate.
Make sure to follow any other recommendations by the manufacturer when storing the fridge for a long time.
Final Word
If you plan to be away for a month or less then it is probably okay to keep your fridge plugged and running unless you have unreliable power.
If you will be away for a longer period, consider removing the food, wiping it dry, and keeping the door open to allow air to flow freely.
This helps to keep out the bad odors.
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