Refrigerators help people keep food fresh for many days. However, since they run continuously and use electricity, they can sometimes have problems — the most common ones are leaking water and taking too long to cool. Instead of calling a technician right away, you can first check the possible causes yourself. If it’s one of the following issues, you can easily fix it at home.

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Water leaking from the fridge compartment

Many people buy food in bulk for the week, causing the fridge compartment to become overcrowded. This can block the air vents, preventing cool air from circulating properly and making it harder for the fridge to stay cold. Additionally, if you wash your food but don’t let it dry before storing it, the excess moisture can drip and cause leaks — not only making the fridge dirty but also affecting other stored food.

Fix: Always dry your food thoroughly or pat it with paper towels before putting it in the fridge. You can also wrap it in cling film or use zip bags. Organize your food neatly — avoid overstuffing the fridge, and leave space for air to circulate.

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Water leaking from the freezer compartment

If you notice water coming from the freezer, open it and check whether it’s overloaded. Too much food can block the vents just like in the fridge compartment. Another possible cause is that the door isn’t closed tightly or the rubber gasket has worn out, allowing cold air to escape and ice to melt. If this is the case, replace the gasket immediately to keep the door sealed. Also, avoid overloading the freezer — leave enough space for air circulation.

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Water leaking onto the floor from the drain pan

Sometimes, water leaks onto the floor because the drain pan at the back of the fridge is cracked, or the water supply line is loose or damaged. To find the real cause, unplug the fridge first to stay safe. Then, pull it slightly away from the wall and check the drain pan and water line carefully. If you find cracks or leaks, replace the damaged parts. If everything looks fine but water still leaks, it may be time to call a professional.

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Regular maintenance tips

Once your refrigerator is working smoothly again, make it a habit to clean it regularly. Check all compartments, remove spoiled food, and wipe both inside and outside with a clean cloth. This not only keeps your food fresh and safe but also helps your refrigerator run efficiently and saves energy.

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Should you wipe or wash after using the toilet? A lesson from America — the country that never uses bidets

Americans almost never use bidet sprays after using the toilet — and many people around the world don’t either. Interestingly, this simple hygiene question divides humanity into different “teams”: squat vs. sit, wipe vs. wash, or both?

However, Americans are surprisingly united on this — they rely solely on toilet paper. While countries like Italy, Greece, and especially Japan embrace bidets, Americans remain loyal to their tissue.

But this loyalty might not be a good thing. According to hygiene expert Rose George, using only toilet paper is actually quite unhygienic — it can lead to infections or even small tears in the anus.

She explains:

“Millions of people are walking around with dirty behinds, and that’s unacceptable. Toilet paper wipes, but it doesn’t clean.”

Some Americans use wet wipes instead, but that’s not ideal either. George gives a simple example:

“Spill some chocolate on a wooden floor. Wipe it with a wet tissue, then with dry paper — you’ll still see residue in the cracks. Your anus has creases too — so you get the idea.”

Over-wiping can also cause anal fissures (painful tears) or hemorrhoids (swelling). Wiping from back to front can even spread bacteria to the urinary tract, causing infections.

The bottom line? None of these problems happen when you wash properly with water. So, should you wipe or wash? You already know the answer. ✅