How to Use a Torque Wrench

Secure nuts and bolts without over-tightening using this simple tool

Are you worried about damaging nuts and bolts when you’re tightening them? Rather than guessing when to stop tightening, a torque wrench is the perfect tool for the job. Torque wrenches stop when they reach a specified torque setting, so there’s no risk of under- or over-tightening the nut or bolt when you’re doing automotive or machinery repairs. It’s so easy to set and use your torque wrench, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know. Keep reading to learn how to adjust your wrench and maintain it like a pro.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Loosen the locking knob at the end of the torque wrench.
• Turn the handle until its top edge lines up with the nearest torque measurement printed on the wrench.
• Spin the top dial so the desired number lines up with the vertical line on the wrench. Add the number on the top dial to the one on the wrench for the total torque.
• ​​Tighten nuts or bolts with your torque wrench until it clicks or stops moving.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Adjusting the Wrench

1. Loosen the locking knob at the end of the wrench’s handle. Look at the end of your torque wrench’s handle to find the metal or plastic locking knob. Twist the locking knob counterclockwise by hand so that you can change the wrench’s settings.^[1]
   
   • Typically, the locking knob is a different color than the rest of your wrench so it’s easy to find.
   • You don’t need to screw the knob off of your wrench; just loosen it until the handle spins easily.
2. Locate the torque measurements printed on the wrench. Inspect the area just above the handle to find the hash marks printed on the wrench’s main shaft. The horizontal hash marks are usually in increments of , or foot pounds. Then locate the vertical marks on the top dial of the handle, which go up by increments.^[2]
   
   • Foot pounds or meter kilograms are torque measurements that show how much force is applied over a certain distance. So is the equivalent to of force over a distance.
   • Most torque wrenches list both foot pounds and meter kilograms on opposite sides of the shaft. If the 2 sets of numbers are listed on the same hash marks, the lower number is the measurement in foot pounds and the larger number is the measurement in meter kilograms.
3. Align the handle’s top edge with the closest approximate torque marking. Hold the body of the wrench with your nondominant hand so it doesn’t move around. Use your dominant hand to turn the handle clockwise to increase the torque or counterclockwise to lower it. Once the top edge of the handle lines up with the horizontal hash mark closest to the torque you need, stop turning the handle.^[3]
   
   • Example: If you need to set the torque to , turn the handle until the top lines up with the hash mark for .
   • Some torque wrenches have handles that slide up and down instead of twisting into place.
   • If you have a digital torque wrench, then just use the arrow buttons to increase or decrease the torque setting. Each torque wrench works a little differently, so check the instructions for your specific model.
4. Twist the top dial on the handle to make precise adjustments. Once you’re close to the desired number, look at the numbers on the top dial of the handle.^[4] Slowly turn the dial clockwise to increase the number or rotate it counterclockwise to lower the number. Once the number you want lines up with the vertical line on the wrench, stop spinning the dial.^[5]
   
   • Example: If you need to set the torque to and already have the handle lining up with the mark, turn the dial so it’s set to .
   • On some wrenches, the dial moves independently of the handle and you can twist it by turning it directly rather than using the handle.
5. Add the digits on the wrench and the dial to determine the total torque. Once you’ve adjusted the handle’s height and twisted the dial, add the numbers together to calculate your total torque and ensure it’s accurately adjusted. To read your torque wrench, find the hash mark that lines up with your handle and add it to the number on the dial lined up with the vertical line.^[6]
   
   • Example: If the handle lines up with the mark and the dial lines up with the mark, then the total torque setting is .
6. Screw the locking knob back in to lock the setting. Hold the main body of the wrench with your nondominant hand so you don’t accidentally change the torque setting. Then, use your dominant hand to turn the locking knob clockwise until it won’t move anymore.^[7]
   
   • Once you secure the locking knob, you cannot adjust your torque setting until you loosen it again.

[Edit]Tightening Nuts and Bolts

1. Attach a socket to the head of your wrench. Use a socket that matches the size of your nut or bolt. Slide the end of the socket into the head of your torque wrench until it clicks into place.^[8]
   
   • If you’re tightening a nut or bolt in a hard-to-reach place, attach a socket extender to your wrench first.
   • Torque wrenches come in different sizes, so measure the square head on the end to determine the right socket size.
2. Screw the nut or bolt on by hand until it’s tight. Hold the nut or bolt against the threadings you’re attaching it to, and start turning it clockwise. Keep turning the nut or bolt until you’re not able to rotate it by hand anymore.^[9]
   
3. Fit the wrench’s socket over the nut or bolt that you’re tightening. Hold the handle of the torque wrench in your nondominant hand. Use your dominant hand to guide the socket onto the nut or bolt. Make sure the socket fits tightly and doesn’t feel loose.^[10]
   
   • If the socket freely spins without catching on the nut, then use a smaller socket.
4. Turn the handle clockwise to tighten the nut or bolt. Rotate the handle clockwise to begin tightening the nut or bolt. Almost all torque wrenches have automatic return functions so you don’t need to reposition them on the nut or bolt. Simply move the handle counterclockwise back to the starting position. If your wrench doesn’t turn counterclockwise, take the socket off the nut or bolt and reposition the wrench.^[11]
   
   • If you hear a clicking or switching noise when you return the handle counterclockwise, you have an automatically-returning torque wrench.
   • Torque wrenches are only made to tighten nuts and bolts, so turning them counterclockwise won’t loosen the fasteners.
5. Stop turning the wrench when it starts clicking or stops moving. It’s normal for a torque wrench to click if you turn it counterclockwise. If you hear your wrench click loudly when you turn it clockwise, stop turning it since you’ve reached the correct torque setting.^[12] On a manual wrench, stop turning it when you feel the wrench resisting.^[13]
   
   • Avoid forcing the wrench any further since you could damage the nut or bolt, or the wrench.

[Edit]Maintaining Your Wrench

1. Dial the wrench back to 0 before you put it away. After you finish tightening the nuts or bolts, turn both dial settings on the handle back to 0. Leaving the dial turned to a torque setting higher than 0 can throw off the wrench’s calibration over time and cause it to be inaccurate.^[14]
   
2. Clean dirty or rusty nuts or bolts before tightening them. Clean the loose rust off of each bolt or nut with a towel or rag before attaching your wrench to them. If there's really stubborn rust, scrub them with a wire brush. Rust and grime could build up inside your sockets and damage your wrench over time since it's harder for your wrench to get a good grip.^[15]
   
   • Torque wrenches aren’t meant to be lubricated, so spray your nut or bolt with a product like WD-40 degreaser before attaching the wrench’s socket.
3. Have your wrench calibrated at least once a year. While you can calibrate your torque wrench if you have experience working on cars, it’s best to have a mechanic or torque wrench specialist do it for you instead. Every year or when your torque wrench reaches 5,000 clicks, take it in to have it reset so it takes accurate measurements again.^[16]
   
   • Calibration usually costs between $25-75 USD.
   • If you don’t have your torque wrench calibrated, it may develop a discrepancy between the measurements on your handle and the actual torque of the wrench.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• You cannot loosen nuts or bolts with a torque wrench. If you’re disassembling something, use a socket wrench instead.^[17]

[Edit]Warnings

• Dropping your wrench can throw the calibration off. Carry it with both hands when you’re walking around the garage to ensure that you don’t drop it.^[18]

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/Nk_KSRCSokc?t=17
2. ↑ https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61277.pdf
3. ↑ https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91AsAPusmdS.pdf
4. ↑ [v162065_b01]. 13 January 2022.
5. ↑ https://youtu.be/bx7kUBS_cv0?t=74
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/xg5OK4slpGE?t=184
7. ↑ https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61277.pdf
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/bx7kUBS_cv0?t=132
9. ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a6613/torque-wrench-101-how-to-get-the-right-amount-of-force/
10. ↑ https://youtu.be/hv4oUvt3nFk?t=295
11. ↑ https://www.egamaster.com/products/img/pdf/EGA-Master-Industrial-tools-TORQUE-WRENCHES-62982-M.pdf
12. ↑ https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91AsAPusmdS.pdf
13. ↑ [v162065_b01]. 13 January 2022.
14. ↑ https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61277.pdf
15. ↑ https://youtu.be/mU6UhtVjz3Q?t=74
16. ↑ https://www1.snapon.com/display/231/ToolNews/TechRefs/2008/TorqueWrench08.pdf
17. ↑ https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91AsAPusmdS.pdf
18. ↑ https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61277.pdf

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How to Clean a Plastic Water Tank

Cleaning your water tank can be a daunting task, but it is important to ensure the water inside stays clean and bacteria-free. You should clean your water tank at least once a year. Water tanks will acquire algae, silt, and bacteria over time, all of which can be harmful if not taken care of.^[1] When you clean your tank, you should follow proper processes for draining it, cleaning the interior walls, and disinfecting the tank. By following these methods, you can be confident that your water is as clean and safe as possible.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Draining the Water Tank

1. Open the outlet valve or tap. The first step to cleaning your tank is to empty all of the water from it. To do so, open the outlet valve or tap at the bottom of your tank and let all of the water flow out.
   
   • Connect a hose to the open valve in order to direct the water to a location where it will not cause any localized flooding or erosion.
   • Permanent water tanks have a washout valve that is located at the base of the tank. If your water tank is permanent and contains a washout valve, use this to drain the tank instead of the regular outlet valve or tap.
2. Scoop water in the bottom of the tank out with a bucket. Since the outlet valve or tap is usually located above the bottom of the tank, you may need to remove some remaining water from the tank after draining it. To do so, use a bucket to scoop as much water out as possible. Once the water in the bottom is too shallow to scoop with a bucket, use a plastic cup or coffee mug to continue scooping it out.
   
3. Remove any remaining water. You probably won't be able to get all of the water out by scooping it up with a bucket or cup. Remove the remaining water using one of the following methods:
   
   • Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up any water that remains.
   • If you have a small tank and can safely tip it up, you can do this to drain any remaining water from the tank.
   • Once you've got all but a very small amount of water out of the tank, you can use towels to soak up any water that remains.

[Edit]Cleaning the Inside of the Water Tank

1. Make a cleaning mixture. While you may be able to remove a lot of the sediment and residue from your tank without using a cleaning mixture, using one can help make this job easier. Simply mix hot water with laundry detergent powder or liquid to make a cleaning solution.^[2]
   
2. Scrub the inside of the tank. Use a bristle brush or abrasive sponge to scrub the inside of the tank, with or without your cleaning solution. Move your arm horizontally from side to side while applying a good amount of pressure on the brush or sponge. Continue doing this around the entire inside of the tank, until you remove as much slime and sludge as possible.
   
   • You may need to use a brush with a long handle, depending on the size of your tank. This type of brush may be more difficult to maneuver, but will allow you to reach the bottom of the tank safely. If you're using a long-handled brush, you'll probably need to move the brush up and down vertically instead of horizontally.^[3]
   • Avoid brushes with steel bristles or sponges made of steel. Plastic can scratch easily and these materials will probably be too harsh for a plastic tank.
3. Use a power washer. You can also use a power washer to clean the inside of your water tank. You can use the power washer by itself or in conjunction with scrubbing the inside of the tank, depending how tough the sediment and residue is to remove.^[4] Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes and strengths, but one with a pressure range between 1,300 and 2,400 psi works best for most household tasks. Follow these steps to clean the inside of your tank with a power washer:
   
   • Fill your power washer with water or cleaning solution.
   • Start by holding it about four feet away from the surface you're cleaning. Move closer until you find the distance that works best for removing dirt, sediment, and debris.
   • Hold the pressure washer so the water hits the interior wall of the tank at a 45 degree angle.
   • Continue this until you are satisfied that you've removed all the dirt and sludge from the walls of your tank.
   • Pressure washers are very powerful, so always wear safety goggles when you're using them, never point them at another person or animal, and follow all other safety regulations. It is also a good idea to have someone with knowledge of power washers give you a lesson on starting and using them before using yours.^[5]
4. Use baking soda on particularly dirty walls. If you're having trouble getting all of the sediment and dirt off the interior walls of your tank, try sprinkling the walls with baking soda and scrubbing them with your brush or sponge.^[6]
   
5. Scrub corners and joints. While you are scrubbing, pay special attention to corners and joints in your tank. Residue stuck in these areas can be difficult to clean, so you may need to spend a little extra time getting into these areas. Try using a small toothbrush to help you reach and scrub these difficult places.
   
6. Rinse thoroughly. Once you're satisfied that you've scrubbed most or all of the residue from the inside of your tank, you need to rinse it very thoroughly. This is best done by using a hose to spray down the interior walls, making sure to get into all the nooks and corners. You can also use a pressure washer filled with clean water to do this.
   
   • Alternatively, you can rinse the tank by filling it with hot water and letting it stand for several hours. Drain the tank, making sure you collect and safely dispose of the drained water. Repeat this process until the water is completely free of detergent and sediment.
7. Remove remaining liquid and residue with a vacuum. Some water tanks may not allow you to drain all of the liquid from them. For example, if your tank is too large to tip on its side and spray out, you probably won't be able to spray all of the detergent and residue out of the tank. In order to remove this residue, you can vacuum it out with the hose attachment of a wet/dry vacuum. Make sure you get the hose into the cracks, crevices, and corners of your tank in order to remove all of the residue.
   
   • After vacuuming, you may need to take a clean rag or mop head and run it along the bottom of your tank to clean any areas that still have sediment on them.
8. Flush your tank's hoses and pipes. Pour some of your cleaning solution into these pipes and hoses. Then, use your water pump to pump the solution through the pipes, removing any sediment and dirt inside them. Complete the same process with hot water until the pipes and hoses are free of detergent.
   

[Edit]Disinfecting the Water Tank

1. Fill your tank three quarters full with clean water. Once you've scrubbed out the inside of your tank, you can then perform the process of disinfecting it. To start, use a hose to fill your tank three quarters of the way full with clean water.
   
2. Add chlorine bleach to the tank. Next, add chlorine bleach to the tank in the ratio of 50 ppm (parts per million) to the amount of water. Follow these guidelines to determine how much household chlorine bleach (5% bleach) to use in your tank:
   
   • For a 250 gallon tank, use 4 cups of bleach.
   • For a 500 gallon tank, use ½ gallon of bleach.
   • For a 750 gallon tank, use ¾ gallon of bleach.
   • For a 1,000 gallon tank, use 1 gallon of bleach.
3. Fill the rest of the tank with water. After adding the appropriate amount of bleach, fill the tank to volume with clean water. This will allow the bleach to mix with the rest of the water in the tank.
   
4. Leave the mixture in the tank for 24 hours. Once you have the tank filled with chlorine and water, leave this solution sit inside the tank for 24 hours. Be sure no one comes in contact with the solution during this time because it can be harmful to people and animals.
   
5. Check the amount of chlorine in your solution periodically. During the 24 hour period that you are letting the solution sit inside your tank, use chlorine strips to periodically check the solution to see the amount of chlorine. You want to maintain a measurable chlorine reading throughout the entire 24 hour process. To check this, dip one end of the chlorine strip in the solution and follow the instructions on the packaging to determine how much chlorine is present. If there is no detectable amount of chlorine, repeat steps two through four.
   
6. Drain the tank completely. Using a hose, drain all of the solution out of your water tank. Hook the hose up to the valve on the bottom of your tank and allow all of the solution to flow out toward your sewage system. Make sure you point the hose away from any vegetation, lakes, and any other areas that may be damaged by the chlorine bleach in the mixture. Do not drain the tank directly into your water distribution system either.
   
   • Remove any remaining liquid by scooping it out with a bucket and then using towels, a clean mop head, or a wet/dry vacuum to pick up the rest.

[Edit]Tips

• Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and safety goggles to protect your eyes while cleaning the tank.

[Edit]Warnings

• Getting into your water tank to clean it can be dangerous, so if you have to do this, use caution.
• Be careful about where you drain the liquids from inside your tank. Letting too much water out at one time can cause erosion or flooding. Allowing liquid that contains detergents and bleach flow into places with vegetation or into bodies of water can also be harmful.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Hose
• Bucket
• Plastic cup or coffee mug
• Wet/dry vacuum
• Towels
• Mop heads
• Laundry detergent powder
• Bristle brush or abrasive sponge
• Long-handled scrub brush (optional)
• Power washer (optional)
• Baking soda (optional)
• Toothbrush (optional)
• Household bleach
• Chlorine testing strips
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles

[Edit]References

__

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/pdf/cleaning_disinfecting_water_holding_tank.pdf
2. ↑ http://www.reservoir.co.za/tap/Banner_StorageTanks.pdf
3. ↑ http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/fit/documents/CleaningStorageTanks.pdf
4. ↑ http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/fit/documents/CleaningStorageTanks.pdf
5. ↑ http://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/how-to-use-a-pressure-washer/view-all
6. ↑ http://www.reservoir.co.za/tap/Banner_StorageTanks.pdf

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How to Stop a Fridge from Ice Build Up

Tired of your fridge giving you the big freeze? Take a closer look into why your fridge is getting frosty

Sure, you want your fridge to be cold… but it’s a whole other story when the inside of your appliance starts resembling the icebergs of Antarctica. As annoying as this frigid setback may be, you don’t have to worry—there are lots of ways to get your fridge back to normal. We’ll walk you through why your fridge may be acting up, and show you how to get rid of the pesky ice buildup, optimize your fridge doors, and keep your fridge nice and clean to prevent any future frostiness.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Defrost your fridge to clear away any existing frost and ice. To keep your fridge unit ice-free, set your fridge to and your freezer to .
• Prevent future ice buildup by opening and closing your refrigerator unit sparingly. This keeps extra humidity out of your fridge, which eventually turns into ice.
• Inspect your refrigerator gasket to make sure it’s in good condition. If the seal doesn’t sit snugly against the front of the unit, order a replacement.
• Try not to overfill your refrigerator unit, which may trap cold air in specific spots of your appliance.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Ice Removal & Prevention

1. Defrost your refrigerator to completely get rid of the ice. Remove all the groceries from your refrigerator and freezer and place them someplace cool, like an ice-filled cooler or a secondary fridge.^[1] Drape a towel beneath your fridge unit to soak up any melting water as it drips out. Once the appliance is completely dry, plug it back in and put your food back.^[2]
   
   • It may help to remove ice chunks by hand as they start to melt and dislodge. If you’d like to chip away at any existing frost, use an ice scraper.
   • Modern-day refrigerators are designed so that you shouldn’t have to defrost them. However, older appliances may need to be defrosted periodically.^[3]
2. Keep your refrigerator set at and your freezer at . Adjust the dials inside your appliance so that each section stays consistently at these temperatures. This way, your food can be stored safely without encouraging any excess ice buildup in your refrigerator. Avoid setting your fridge to any colder settings as you might encourage frost.^[4]
   
   • Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperatures inside your fridge and freezer.
3. Melt away ice crystals on-the-fly with hot, sudsy water and a cleaning cloth. Don’t feel like defrosting your entire refrigerator? Saturate a cleaning cloth or sponge with hot, sudsy water, holding the damp cloth directly on top of any ice buildup or frost. Press down on it gently to warm up the ice below. If the cloth starts to get cold, soak it in some more hot water and reapply it to the frost. Continue this process until the frost melts away completely.^[5]
   
   • Use a paper towel or a dry cleaning cloth to soak up any moisture before you close your fridge.
   • Avoid using a sharp object to chip away at the frozen buildup; you may risk damaging the inside of your refrigerator.^[6]

[Edit]Door Adjustments & Repairs

1. Limit how often you open the fridge and freezer doors. Opening the door frequently increases the humidity levels inside your fridge and freezer,which can lead to ice buildup and frost. With this in mind, try not to leave your fridge or freezer doors open when you’re deciding what to eat or trying to figure out which ingredients to pull out. Instead, make a quick mental list of what you’ll need so you can take all of those things out at one time.^[7]
   
   • Only open 1 door at a time. Try to be as quick as possible and close the doors in under 1 minute.
   • For instance, if you’re going to be baking, take out the eggs, butter, and milk at one time. This way, you only have to open the door once.
   • If you have a hard time remembering what you stock in your fridge, keep a list of what’s inside posted on the refrigerator door.
2. Raise the front legs so that your refrigerator doors close automatically. Ask another person to help you pull the fridge out about from the wall. Have your partner tilt the top of the fridge backward, toward the wall, to expose the front 2 feet. While they hold it in this position, twist the legs counterclockwise. Unscrew the legs slightly to make them a little taller. This way, gravity will encourage the doors to shut. When you’re done, return the fridge back to its original spot.^[8]
   
   • Once you’ve tweaked the legs, open the doors and see if gravity help them close naturally. If not, repeat this process to lift the front legs even higher.
   • If your fridge or freezer door are prone to sitting open, or if they swing wide open while you’re moving food in and out, this easily can raise the humidity levels inside your appliance, causing ice to build up.
3. Tighten the door hinges if they’re loose. If you notice that the door or the screws on the hinges are wobbly, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws by turning them clockwise. Keep tightening them until they don’t spin around anymore.^[9]
   
   • Depending on the type of fridge you have, you may have to lift off a plastic cover to expose the hinges.
   • Loose hinges on your fridge or freezer doors will result in an incomplete seal; this will increase the humidity inside your appliance, which may result in ice buildup.
4. Wipe down the seals around the inside of each door to remove any residue. If the seals lining your fridge or freezer doors are caked with food residue or ice crystals, they won’t close properly. Working on 1 door at a time, use a damp cleaning cloth and mild dish soap to quickly scrub the inside of the seal. Clean off the frame of the fridge opening, as well, to ensure that the seal can sit flush against it. Use a dry towel to wipe off any remaining moisture and then shut the door.^[10]
   
   • Make sure you don’t leave any moisture behind, as it might form an ice crystal.
5. Replace a damaged door seal (or gasket) with a new one.^[11] Look at the flexible rubber seal on the inside of your fridge and freezer doors—these are called refrigerator gaskets. If either one appears to be damaged, replace it to ensure that your appliance’s doors close completely. Contact your fridge manufacturer to order a replacement gasket. Once you have it, unplug your appliance and move all of the perishable items to coolers. Unscrew the damaged gasket and then screw the new one into place.^[12]
   
   • Make sure you know your appliance’s model number, as you’ll need this in order to get the right replacement part.
   • Test out the seal of your new gasket before you turn the fridge back on and start loading it up. It should sit flush against the frame of the fridge or freezer opening without any gaps.

[Edit]Fridge Organization & Maintenance

1. Unclog your fridge’s defrost drain. After unplugging your fridge, locate your defrost drain towards the back of the appliance. Utilizing a small funnel or baster filled with warm water, try to clear away the clog in the drain.^[13] A blocked-up defrost drain may contribute more ice buildup to your fridge.
   
   • A straight section of coat hanger or pipe cleaner may also help clear away the blockage.
   • If you still aren’t able to clear away the clog, you may need to drag out your unplugged fridge to inspect and clean your fridge’s check valve (a rubber valve connected to the drain hose) by hand.^[14]
2. Move bulky food items away from the cooling mechanisms. While your fridge or freezer is running, place your hand inside to locate the cold air source—this is usually along the back wall of the appliance. If this area is blocked by a dense arrangement of food items, move these out of the way. Leave some open space around the cooling mechanism so that the air can flow around.^[15]
   
   • Don’t block any of the vents with bulky freezer boxes or bags. Keep these items further away from the sides and walls of your appliance.
3. Fill your fridge and freezer to capacity without overfilling them. Store items in the designated drawers and spots, with fruits in the crisping drawers, meat in the meat drawers, butter in the butter tray, and condiments in the narrow shelves inside the door. Use fridge organizers and bins to keep your appliance organized and clutter-free.^[16]
   
   • Take a few minutes each week to check your fridge for old or expired items. Toss these out as soon as they go bad to make space for fresh foods.
   • An overstuffed appliance will restrict the airflow and may trap cold air in certain pockets, which could result in frosty patches.
4. Wait for your food to cool before sticking it in the fridge. Hot food gives off moisture-rich steam, which can become ice in your refrigerator. To prevent this from happening, let your food cool down before slipping it into the fridge.^[17]
   
   • Don’t leave your food out indefinitely, though! Leaving food out for more than 2 hours can lead to the development of harmful bacteria.^[18]
5. Dry off your food packages before chilling them. Damp food packages, like a bag of slightly-thawed peas, can lead to extra ice buildup. Before you put anything into your freezer (or refrigerator), pat it dry with a paper towel or cloth to get rid of any moisture.^[19]
   
6. Clean off the vents every 6 months to ensure proper air circulation. About twice a year, unscrew the vents from the inside of your refrigerator. Use a bristle brush, warm water, and mild dish soap to scrub away any dust, dirt, and food residue. Dry them off completely before replacing them.^[20]
   
   • Shut off your appliance and transfer perishable foods to a cooler before you disassemble the vents.
   • Dirty, clogged vents can lead to airflow issues and ice buildup.
7. Wash out the inside of your fridge about twice a year. Before cleaning your fridge, take everything out of your fridge and store the perishable items in a cooler temporarily. Use a dry sheet of paper towel to brush out any crumbs and food residue. Follow up by scrubbing down the shelves and insides using a warm, soapy cleaning cloth. Dry off the surfaces before returning all of your food items.^[21]
   
   • If you notice any spills or crumbs, wipe these up as soon as possible so they don’t form ice crystals.
8. Vacuum the condenser coils at the back of your fridge twice a year.^[22] Turn off your fridge and stash the perishable items in coolers. Pull out your appliance far enough from the wall so that you can easily access the back. Use a soft bristle brush attachment to vacuum the dust and debris off of the coils. Then, return your fridge to its usual spot.^[23]
   
   • Move the vacuum attachment in the direction of the coils so you don’t dent them.
   • Clean the coils more frequently if you have pets whose hair might end up behind your refrigerator.
   • Depending on the fridge model you have, the condenser coils may be located below or on top of the appliance. Check the user manual to see how you can access these coils.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Extra humidity seeping into your refrigerator and freezer is a common cause of extra ice buildup.^[24] An overstuffed fridge/freezer, malfunctioning door seals, loose hinges, and vent blockage can also contribute to ice buildup issues.^[25]
• If you’re having issues with a new refrigerator that’s still under warranty, contact the manufacturer to schedule a repair service.^[26]
• Does your fridge and/or freezer keep developing ice buildup no matter what you do? Reach out to a repair technician and have them take a closer look at your appliance.

[Edit]Warnings

• If your fridge/freezer has an ice dispenser attached to the door, inspect the ice chute door periodically. If ice blocks up the chute and prevents the door from shutting, extra warm air might be getting into the freezer and causing ice buildup.^[27]

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

[Edit]Eliminating Ice Buildup

• Towels
• Soap
• Hot water
• Ice scraper (optional)

[Edit]Optimizing the Doors

• Screwdriver
• Cleaning cloth
• Water
• Dish soap
• Refrigerator gasket

[Edit]Keeping Your Fridge Tidy

• Bristle brush
• Warm water
• Mild dish soap
• Cleaning cloth
• Paper towel
• Vacuum

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Grocery Shop and Cook Frugally
• Arrange Refrigerator Shelves
• Replace a Refrigerator Door Seal

[Edit]References

1. ↑ http://www.ncfh.org/uploads/3/8/6/8/38685499/therefrigeratorandyourhealth.pdf
2. ↑ https://www.niu.edu/housing/moving-in-out/microfridge/index.shtml
3. ↑ [v161473_b01]. 14 July 2020.
4. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/are-you-storing-food-safely
5. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-clean-your-freezer
6. ↑ [v161473_b01]. 14 July 2020.
7. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-clean-your-freezer
8. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/you-can-fix-these-4-irritating-fridge-problems-yourself/
9. ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2014/09/16/how-to-fix-ice-buildup-in-your-refrigeratorfreezer/
10. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/you-can-fix-these-4-irritating-fridge-problems-yourself/
11. ↑ [v161473_b01]. 14 July 2020.
12. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/you-can-fix-these-4-irritating-fridge-problems-yourself/
13. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/4-common-fridge-conundrums-and-how-to-fix-them/
14. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/4-common-fridge-conundrums-and-how-to-fix-them/
15. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/you-can-fix-these-4-irritating-fridge-problems-yourself/
16. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/take-care-of-your-fridge-and-it-might-last-longer/2018/08/20/e8381364-9f42-11e8-8e87-c869fe70a721_story.html
17. ↑ https://workshopedia.com/ice-building-up-in-mini-fridge/
18. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/are-you-storing-food-safely
19. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/frost-in-freezer/
20. ↑ https://youtu.be/zq0Qxysb-_0?t=18
21. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-clean-your-freezer
22. ↑ [v161473_b01]. 14 July 2020.
23. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/take-care-of-your-fridge-and-it-might-last-longer/2018/08/20/e8381364-9f42-11e8-8e87-c869fe70a721_story.html
24. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/4-common-fridge-conundrums-and-how-to-fix-them/
25. ↑ https://workshopedia.com/ice-building-up-in-mini-fridge/
26. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-clean-your-freezer
27. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/frost-in-freezer/

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How to Know if Your Friend Is Really a Friend

If you're unsure whether your friend is really a true friend or not, it generally means things have happened to cause you some doubt. The fact that you cannot be certain means that the friendship is under question and your gut feelings need to be addressed before you can continue to trust this friendship is worth the effort. So, is this friend true to you or not?

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Does Your Friend Want to Be With You?

1. Spend time with your friend. Spending time together is a normal and expected part of friendship.^[1] Begin here as it is the best clue as to whether or not your friend is willing to make an effort in the friendship. Here are things to consider about how your friend reacts to you wanting to spend time together:
   
   • If your friend makes the time, that's a good sign. Friends make time for each other and don't act squeamish or as if they'd rather be somewhere else. Sometimes your friend may be genuinely busy and that's fine, just as long as your friend makes time to be together, when it's appropriate, such as during breaks or lunch, perhaps on a weekend, during vacation time, etc.
   • If your friend doesn't want to make the time or comes up with a lot of excuses every time you try, then you have a warning sign that he or she is not keen to be around you much. If you have arranged going somewhere together and your friend keeps pulling out on such arrangements, that's a telling sign too. Realize that nobody is "always busy" -- that is just an excuse showing they don't wish to prioritize you.
   • If your friend ditches you almost all the time, and it doesn't seem like a joke, that means he/she isn't really a good friend.
2. See what happens if you try to hang around a friend who is giving you signals of not wanting to be near you. Tag along with them. This may seem hard but you can say, "Hey, how are things going today?" And walk with your friend. Notice his or her reaction and comfort levels. If she or he is your friend, they'll be thrilled to have you around. If she or he is not, your friend may grunt, fail to talk to you, shrug a lot and try to walk faster to get away from you.
   
3. Invite your friend to a party or special occasion at your place. Invite your friend over and see whether or not he or she accepts the invitation. If your friend does come, is she or he being friendly with you or is she or he ignoring you and just stuffing down the cake and soda and grabbing the goodie bag while leaving early? Since you are the host or the main center of attention when it's at your place, a good friend should be spending time talking to you and being friendly. A bad friend will use the occasion to get what he or she wants out of it, then hightail it out of there with nary a goodbye.
   

[Edit]How Supportive is Your Friend?

1. Remember that friendship is not about the people who are true to your face. It's about the people who are true behind your back. This section features some "tests" that you can make use of to observe and note how your friend behaves when you're not there to defend yourself. These tests are all optional, and you can try one, two or all of them, or just skip this section -- do whatever you feel most comfortable with. Ultimately, your feelings will matter most, so if needed, just jump to Part 3.
   
   • You should try to evaluate the relationship dynamic and make sure that there is balance in your friendship. It shouldn't be one sided, with you giving all of your time consistently and feeling like energy is being sucked up.^[2]
2. Observe how your friend is when he or she doesn't notice you're about. This provides you with the opportunity to find out what type of people your friend hangs out with or if they say anything bad about you or one of your closer friends. Be around where they hang out and just be quietly in the background, saying nothing and not drawing attention to yourself, keeping a nice distance away. Don't give away any clues you're watching them, and if they're not being such a great friend, they probably won't even notice you. They might say uncomplimentary things about you, or about someone else who is really close to you.
   
   • Listen for verbal clues, and watch for physical and emotional clues as well.
3. Consider how your friend handles your confidences. A good and trustworthy friend won't gossip about you and won't spread rumors or, even worse, lies. Does your friend keep all of your confidences? Do you ever hear of anything you only told this friend being spoken of by someone else you didn't tell?^[3]
   
   • Test your friend. Tell him or her a fake secret you have, and see if your friend makes rumors about the matter or not. Make sure that your fake secret is scandalous enough but does not involve anyone but you.
4. Set up the trolling test. This is entirely optional and if it feels icky, weird or undesirable, just skip it. If you think it might help and you have someone willing to help out, it can be one more thing to add to the mix for your decision-making. So, the test is: Have a classmate or coworker talk about you in an unflattering way to your friend, and have the classmate or coworker record or tell you whatever he or she said. If your classmate or coworker can't record the response, be the one to observe your friend while the unflattering scene unfolds. If your friend defends you, that's a great sign of loyalty but if he or she agrees and starts dissing you back, then you know this person isn't being a true friend.
   

[Edit]How Does Your Friend Treat You?

1. Be wary of a friend who forces you to do things their way or when they want. If they want you to fall in line regardless of how you feel or what you'd prefer to do, then it means they don't care about you, and only want you as a henchman/henchwoman. This is a case of being used, not liked, and it is a classic sign of a controlling personality. That kind of person is near impossible to be good friends with, because you never know when they like you for what you can do for them or like you for you.
   
2. Think about how you feel when you talk around this person. Can you be yourself or do you feel as if you have to "be a certain way" or be really careful about what you say? A true friend is someone you can be yourself around and who won't judge you for the funny quirks, the odd blurts and the weird ways you perceive the world. A true friend will accept you as the package you are and won't expect you to walk on eggshells or censor the way you talk. When you don't have to be careful about what you say, that's when you're around the right person.
   
   • A friend is someone who gives you the liberty to be yourself. Anything less is not true friendship.
3. Pull away from your friend temporarily. Does your friend wonder why you are doing this and ask after you? Or, does this friend seem relieved that you're not around? This can be an extremely telling factor when trying to determine how much this person cares about you, for only a person who hears your silence and sees your absence truly cares for you.
   
4. Consider what happens when you're in need. Real friends stay by your side through thick and thin. Hardship is actually a good barometer for the true friends in your life. You only lose the friends who were masquerading as friends when you experience hardships and difficulties. Those fair weather friends are not worth your time or effort, as they are the sort of people to flit from one relationship to another, always seeking what is in it for them. A true friend stays, supports and keeps loving you regardless of what happens. A good friend is someone willing to share in both your happiness and your sadness, to notice and to be there for both.^[4]
   
   • A good friendship is one in which each friend needs only what the person has to give of themselves, not their material wealth, their connections or their power. It's about the intangible of "I get you. And you get me."

[Edit]Reaching Your Decision

1. Weigh up what you have learned by assessing your friendship using the above suggestions. Does your friend seem true or false to you? Do you feel comfortable and happy around this person or do you feel awkward, controlled and/or unhappy around him or her? Does your friend inspire and motivate you or send shivers of angst and worry down your spine? Do you have evidence that this person supports you or badmouths you? Remind yourself that no friend is better than a bad friend, and that you will find a new friend if this one proves to be false. Also, sometimes your friendship circle as a whole may decrease in size but will increase in value, so let that be your guide.^[5]
   
   • When making your decision, keep in mind that the fact you have had to question this friend's loyalty is a red flag. Generally, the only people you owe loyalty to are those who don't cause you to question theirs.

[Edit]Tips

• If your friend finds out you've been plotting, they might accuse you of being untrustworthy and say that they "always liked you until now". If you don't trust them, then don't be friends with them.
• If you think your friend is lying, always get proof of what he/she said or has done, so that you can confront them with the evidence.
• If you feel like your friend wasn't really there during your hard times, then chances are they aren't a true friend.^[6]
• A true friend is someone who appreciates you as a person even when you're not around, so if your friend is the type to talk behind your back or other people's backs, this person is probably not a true friend.

[Edit]Warnings

• If you ask other friends to talk to that friend, they might out you for snooping.
• Reading your friend's diary is risky. People work out who they are and what they think in a diary and often this changes from day to day, mood to mood, and isn't necessarily a true reflection of their general, overall feelings toward another person. It is complicated and really, it isn't a good thing for you to do or to decide a relationship's status on.

[Edit]References

• 13 Essential Traits of Good Friends

1. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/406517/4-ways-to-spend-quality-time-with-your-friends
2. ↑ [v161848_b01]. 16 July 2021.
3. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-5-qualities-of-real-friends_b_7310144
4. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/11-differences-between-real-friends-and-fake-friends.html
5. ↑ https://www.powerofpositivity.com/11-ways-to-spot-an-authentic-friendship/
6. ↑ [v161848_b01]. 16 July 2021.

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