I recently visited a friend who was studying in Australia. She is living in a small, rented studio apartment— you know, those rooms with some kitchen space and a washroom but hardly any space to put in extra appliances. I noticed that her new mini fridge was still in the box since she didn’t know where exactly to place it since the entire room was carpeted.

She asked me whether she could put a mini fridge on the carpet or not. Ideally, placing a refrigerator on carpet is not recommended. Carpets obstruct the air flowing into the condenser, which is located at the base of the fridge.

Additionally, carpets are also known to retain heat. This overheating at the base of the mini fridge would prevent the compressor and the condenser from working properly. The compressor would end up overworking and thereby consuming more energy. It may even break down once it runs hot. The excess heat could make the carpet under the fridge fade as well.

If you live in tight quarters, of course, there is a way around the question of placing a mini fridge on your carpet. Read on to find the ultimate solution.

What Do You Do If There Is No Other Space to Install Your Fridge?

If you are living in tight quarters, you may not have any other choice apart from placing your fridge on your carpeted floor. If you are a studio renter, you can install your fridge on the carpet following the rules below and do a regular maintenance and safety check.

1. Place Something Underneath Your Mini Fridge

Do not put the fridge on the carpet directly. You could simply place a solid wooden board, a plastic chair mat like this, or a movable adjustable base or a piece of linoleum or vinyl flooring between the carpet and the fridge. This will ensure that there is good air circulation and keep water off the carpet. This will ensure that there is good air circulation and keep water off the carpet. This also prevents any dents from being created in the carpet by the fridge’s stand.

2. Ensure It Remains Closed

When you place the fridge on the carpet, you run the risk of the door not closing properly if it drags on the carpet. This will not be the case if you have taken the first precaution of elevating the fridge by placing something underneath it. Ensure the door has sufficient space to swing open and close securely.

3. Keep the Coil Cool

Normally, mini refrigerators absorb heat using a rear-cooling coil. Mostly, these coils are located at the back, although some are put at the bottom of the unit. The bottom coil may not do something as serious as causing a fire, but it can still sear the part of the carpet underneath the fridge in some instances. In this case, it would be most convenient if you chose a fridge with rear-cooling coils.

4. Check for Any Leaking Holes

Before placing your mini fridge on the carpet, carefully inspect for any holes that might leak. If, for instance, the door has any cracks or leaks, there will be a condensation build-up that can result in leakage onto the carpet and lead to the growth of mildew. To inspect this properly, close the fridge door and run your hand along the edges. If you feel any escaping air, you may not want to put that particular fridge on your carpet.

5. Use a Small Rug

Sometimes, a leaky fridge is not the only problem when placing it on the carpet. The fridge can be in perfect shape but still get your carpet messed up given the spills from the drinks in the fridge.

Occasionally, a broken egg can stain the area under the fridge. You can at least try to remedy the situation by place a small rug right under the space occupied by the fridge. This will absorb any accidental spills and leaks before they get to the carpet.

6. Defrost

Your mini fridge has been sitting on the carpet for a while now, and all is fine thanks to the tips above, which you followed to the letter. That’s great! However, every six months, you need to defrost the mini fridge (if it runs extremely cold or has a built-in freezer section) to get rid of any ice buildup. Failure to defrost can cause the mini fridge (and any freezer sections in it) to fail and even leak some of the residue from the ice. You do not want this to happen if your fridge is resting on the carpet!

So, Where is the Right Place to Install Your Mini Fridge?

A refrigerator has a longer life expectancy than any other kitchen appliance. Once you install it somewhere and fill it with food items, it may be a bit difficult to relocate it, especially for larger sized fridges. Thus, it is advisable to pick an appropriate place that will be best for the long haul, even in the case of your mini fridge. Movement comes with risks to the appliance, so you’ll want to choose a location and stick with it as much as possible.

Explore your positions for fridge placement before you buy the mini fridge itself. Ideally, the area should be cool and dry with a plug-in nearby. In addition, depending on the type of fridge that you buy, ensure that its location leaves sufficient space for the door to swing open.

A fridge placed in a cool area works very efficiently. On the contrary, a place with direct sun or a heated space forces it to overwork to maintain an ideal temperature for the interior. Of course, this will cost you more in terms of energy bills, not to mention that it shortens the unit’s life expectancy.

The location of the fridge will determine the size of the one you will end up buying. Most mini fridges are easier to move around than full-size models, but this is still something to take into account due to size variations. If it is going to pass through narrow doorways, you may need to buy a relatively smaller model so that it can pass through these areas more easily.

Assuming you want to place it in the kitchen, measure the doorway first. By doing this, you will then be able to pick a size that will pass through without much trouble. You do not want to arrive home only to realize that the fridge will not pass through your kitchen doorway, and now you have to let it stay in the living room permanently. That would be incredibly disappointing.

Some possible fridge locations include the kitchen, the basement, a laundry room, the garage, and even in a guest room if space is really limited. The smaller your mini fridge is though, the larger your number of placement options.

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How Do You Take Care of a Mini Fridge?

Contrary to popular belief, a mini fridge is not only just for college students. It can also be used in one’s garage, office, and many other places to keep drinks and snacks cool. To keep it working efficiently, you have to take good care of it. Below are some ways you can take care of your mini fridge.

• Place it away from direct sunlight or any heat source such as water heater or furnace. The heat can bleach its color. If it has a freezer compartment do not put it in an unheated area where temperatures go below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This will make the compressor run less and fail to freeze food or ice. .
• In case of transportation, be sure to keep the fridge in an upright position. If you tilt it onto its side, it can easily lose its Freon and have the condenser coils get damaged. If, by mistake, you leave it on its side, let it stay upright for several hours before turning it on. This is to allow oil to get down to the compressor.
• Ensure you place it on an even surface without leaning it on one particular side. Also, be sure to keep it away from the wall or anything else that may disrupt the airflow. Remember that you need continuous air circulation for the cooling process to take place.
• When you first plug the fridge in and turn it on, keep it at a medium-cold setting so that you do not immediately thaw or freeze the food you place inside. You can adjust the settings to your preferences later.
• Space the items out in the fridge to avoid crowding. The cold air needs room for circulation so that the food can be chilled properly.

• Clean the interior at least once per month using a solution of baking soda and warm water. Wipe the surfaces starting from the top to the bottom. Do not forget to clean the shelves.
• Again, once per month, unplug your mini fridge to clean the vents and coils by using a vacuum. This will ensure that you remove any pet dander or dust, both of which may compromise the energy efficiency of your fridge.
• Wipe the outside part of the fridge at least once per week. Stains and handprints should be dealt with immediately.
• If you are going away for a few weeks, remove all perishable items and turn off the fridge. If you are leaving for several months, remove all food and drinks and clean it both on the inside and outside. Place towels both inside and under the fridge for 24 hours to absorb any moisture. Remember to remove the towels before traveling.
• If you have an alternative option available, do not place your mini fridge on the carpet. Carpets are known to hold heat, and this make the compressor to work for longer periods using more energy; this can even make it break down. However, if you do not have any space without carpeting, you can use a piece of linoleum and place it in-between the fridge and the carpet.
• Avoid using extension cords as some could run inadequate voltage, cause inefficiency of the compressor, and possibly even cause breakdowns.
• Do not pull or drag your mini fridge whether it is on a bare floor or on a carpeted floor. Devise ways of moving it from one position to the other without pulling or dragging.

Related Questions

Can you place a wine cooler on the carpet?

It is recommended to avoid placing wine coolers on any type of carpet. While some argue that placing it on a carpet protects the hardwood floor from being damaged, wine spills on the carpets could be more disastrous considering the smell, the cleaning process, and mildew formation.

Is it safe to keep a fridge in the bedroom?

Avoid keeping your fridge in the bedroom. Imagine the heat from the condenser as well as the noise emitted. In addition, whenever you need any repairs, forget about having any privacy in your personal room.

Can I buy a new freezer for my apartment?

Individual apartment communities have their own restrictions for purchasing or installing new appliances. Always check with your landlord before you buy a new upright freezer or icebox.

How do I prevent my freezer from damaging the carpet?

Freezers that are placed on carpets can often cause moisture damage. You can prevent this by ventilating the area, using a drip pan, and placing a moisture absorber near the freezer’s main vent.

See Also:
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