GEORGE TOWN: Despite the vital role refrigerators play in our day-to-day life, they could pose significant threats to our health if they are not properly maintained.
Microorganisms such as yeast and mould, and even worms, will grow in refrigerators if these machines are not cleaned regularly.
“Taking its cleanliness for granted may be our downfall,” said James Cheong, an expert in repairing electrical items, including refrigerators.
Cheong said he would advise people to wipe their fridge once a week.
“A thorough clean-up can be done once a month or so, but wipe it every week with a cloth and a bit of soap.
“Target the places where you store raw meat. Always put away uncooked items (fish, chickens, or meat) in plastic containers or bags. Do not directly place them in the freezers.
“If the fluid from chicken or fish seep into the compressor, it will contaminate the rest of the food,” he said.
Cheong, 64, who has been in the business for 48 years, said people do not realise the need to service their fridge regularly until something bad happens.
“When there’s a smell, they think it is from the meat, but many times it is caused by the bacteria in the fridge.
“There will be accumulated germs over the years. It is easy for bacteria to grow in the fridge,” he said.
There have been instances where he found worms when checking fridges that weren’t cooling sufficiently.
Cheong said there is no need to get a new fridge if your current machine is still running smoothly.
“As long as the electricity flow is consistent and there is no surge in the voltage, then chances of the compressor failing is low.
“The service fees will not be much. A single-door fridge usually costs less than RM100 to service while the bigger double-door ones would be around RM120 to RM150,” he said.
Jess Ng, 37, who runs a repair shop in Jelutong, said it was important to clean the fridge often to keep it in good order.
“A fridge is like an air-conditioning unit, it can also have problems with leaking.
“This means the fridge is not working as well as it should, but you will not notice it till it’s too late,” she said.
While newer models find their way into more homes, they rely on integrated circuit boards, which are more expensive to repair, she said, adding that older models are better in this respect.
“The old models are easier to maintain.
She also recommended switching off a fridge during a power outage before electricity supply is restored. This is to protect the machine as the surge could damage the fridge and other appliances as well,” she said.
