How to Clean Mold Off of Refrigerator Seals

A fridge is nothing without its seals. Those rubber gaskets may not look that great but they play an important role in keeping your food healthy and fresh. Without those seals, all the cool and cold air would escape while allowing warm air to enter your fridge and spoil your food items.

When mold grows inside your fridge, those seals are not immune to the bacteria. You need to clean those seals whenever you clean your fridge. To learn how to clean the mold off these seals just keep reading our article. It has the information you need.

The Steps to Take to Clean Mold Off Your Fridge Seals

This task only takes a few extra minutes to do so you should include cleaning the seals when you clean your fridge’s interior. Clean both parts of your fridge regularly to avoid any health and germ problems.

Step 1 – Mix Chlorine Bleach & Warm Water

Chlorine bleach is the best at killing mold. If you use it right, your fridge seals remain mold-free. The mixture is on a 1 to 1 basis.

Step 2 – Turn Your Fridge Off

Since you have to open the door and leave it open it is best to not waste any electricity. Shut the fridge down and unplug it from the wall. This will also protect you from any electrical surprises that can happen.

Step 3 – Use a Toothbrush

This brush is small enough and has small but firm bristles. That makes it easier to get into any cracks or folds the seal may have. You want to scrub gently but firmly and do 100% of the seal even if you can’t see it. Use a liberal application and pull the seal out when necessary.

Step 4 – Soak a Clean Cloth

This is your rinsing tool. Make sure to use warm water. Once you have done 100% of the seal, including those areas you can’t see, wipe the seal down with this wet cloth. You may need to do this step several times as you do not want the bleach to remain behind.

Step 5 – Dry the Seal

After cleaning and rinsing you will need a dry cloth or the dry portion of the wet cloth to remove any excess water from the seal and your fridge door. Again, make sure to pull the gasket out to get all the moisture.

Step 6 – Plug the Fridge Back In

This is the easiest step to do and do not forget to turn the fridge back on. Also, close the door when you have that done.

Cleaning Mold From the Rest Of The Fridge

Since you have the ingredients handy, make a little bit more of the bleach and warm water mixture and clean the rest of the fridge at the same time. This is a good time to do it as the door will be open, the fridge will be turned off and unplugged.

Step 1 – Find the Mold

Clean out the fridge of all food products and containers and start your search for the mold. Once you find it, get ready to apply the bleach and warm water mixture.

Step 2 – Remove the Shelves & Drawers

This is the easiest way to clean these items. They may not show mold growth, but you never know where those mold spores will land. It is better to be safe than sorry so give these items a good cleaning as you clean the seals.

Step 3 – Wipe the Walls, etc.

Target those areas with the mold growth but wipe every part of the fridge interior to make sure you are getting every bit of mold inside. Let the drawers, shelves, and walls sit for about 10 minutes. While you wait clean the door guides and rails.

Step 4 – The Rinsing Stage

After that 10-minute soaking period, rinse everything off thoroughly. You do not want to leave any mold or bleach behind. The rinsing stage may take several attempts to get the fridge parts completely free of both items.

Step 5 – The Drying Stage

This has to be thorough as well, as mold does live off of moisture. Get rid of all the excess moisture in order to prevent mold from returning.

Step 6 – Double-Check Everything

While you are cleaning the fridge, interior make sure to get any gaskets and seals you may not have cleaned when you did the door seals. Mold can find great hiding places, so you need to cover the entire interior without missing anything.