How to Clean Fridge Door Rubber

A gasket is the rubber piece that goes around the fridge door and helps it seal the interior. Its main job is to make sure the outside air does not get in and ruin your food items. The secondary job it performs is to keep your electric bill low.

But when the gasket or rubber gets dirty, it is not the outside air you need to worry about. The mold, germs, and other bacteria along with the foul odor that comes with those items are something you need to be concerned with.

To learn how to clean the rubber on your fridge doors, just continue to read our article. It has the instructions you need to know about.

What Not to Use to Clean the Rubber

There is a myriad of cleaning products available these days you can use. The trouble is not all of them are made to clean fridge door rubber or gaskets. When you use the wrong cleaner, you can actually damage the rubber and make you pay for a new one.

Those cleaning products that are petroleum-based or contain petroleum products, bleach, and ammonia are the ones NOT to use. They may be effective at killing germs and mold but they are also effective in killing the rubber.

If you do not like commercial cleaners, then go to natural ones instead. Those are usually safer for the rubber than those cleansers that contain the ingredients just mentioned.

What to Use to Clean the Fridge Rubber

There are a few options you have that will work well for you. Some of those options are very good commercial cleaners you can find on your supermarket’s shelves. All you have to do is follow the instructions and your fridge rubber will be clean without suffering any damage.

1. Baking Soda

This is a very good natural cleaner that works wonders with mold and mold odor. All you need to do is mix about 1 tablespoon with a gallon of warm water and then use a brush to clean.

The baking soda will clean and deodorize the rubber, but you should use a toothbrush as well as a rag to make sure you get into all the areas on that rubber. Once you are done, make sure to rinse so no paste forms and ruins the door seal.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

This option can be used straight from the bottle, mixed with a little water, or with some dishwashing liquid thrown in for good measure. Just wipe the rubber and the door area down and the dirt and mold should be gone.

Again, you should use a toothbrush to get those hard-to-reach spots on the gasket.

A Good Seal Prevents Dirt

This is something you have to watch out for. The dirt found on the rubber may not come from your hands or your family’s hands. Sometimes a poor seal will let those mold spores or other dirt and dust inside and make the gasket dirty.

To avoid this problem, make sure you get the gasket back into shape so it seals well again. here are some tips to use to refurbish the rubber and getting it sealing tightly again.

1. Petroleum Jelly

This is a good product to wipe gently on your door rubber. The product goes on smoothly and all you need is to dip your finger into the jar and spread the Petroleum jelly over the gasket.

The key to using this product is that it needs to be pure Petroleum Jelly, or you run the risk of damaging the rubber.

2. Adhesive Strip

If there is a gap in the seal, a piece of this product can be cut to the right size and added to your fridge door. The adhesive strip will stick to the door and block the gap for you.

The best place to put the strip is inside the rubber gasket. That will keep it hidden from view, for the most part.

3. Magnet

When the source of the problem is not with the rubber, it can be with the magnet that is used to keep the door closed. When they lose power, the door will not seal properly and the rubber can get dirty. Not to mention let mold spores and grime inside as well.

All you have to do here is replace the old magnet with a new one and your problem should be solved

4. Safety Lock

This option may not look good but what are looks when you are trying to protect your food from spoiling and getting dirty. Your family’s health is more important than the look of your fridge and by adding a safety lock, you can seal that door and keep germs and dirt away.

Some Final Words

Cleaning the rubber on your fridge door is essential for healthy living. The seal keeps the dirt, germs, and grime away from your expensive food and ensures their healthy nature.