How To Clean A Freezer Door Seal

Several reasons cause your freezer door seals' degradation, including frequent opening and closing of the freezer, food spills, and dirt buildup. In freezer maintenance, it's vital to ensure that the freezer door seals are clean to keep it in top condition. But how should you clean the rubber seals? We've looked into this concern and summarized the answers in this post.

To clean rubber seals on a freezer door, you can follow these steps:

• Wipe down the rubber seals with a clean cloth.
• Create your cleaning mixture or use a cleaner.
• Scrub the dirt off with a Q-tip or brush.

Freezer door seals are generally easy to clean. They won't require too much work, and the materials used for the job are accessible. However, you may have to use different cleaning materials depending on the dirt you need to discard.

A dirty freezer door seal is vulnerable to breakage. Breakage can cause the freezer door to have trouble staying closed. Cleaning the seals would reduce the chances of damage, but it's just as important to learn how to fix and improve them. Keep reading to get insight and tips on how to clean and fix freezer door seals.

What to Use To Clean Freezer Door Seals

Choosing what to use in cleaning rubber seals plays a role in retaining their quality. Contact with certain chemicals damage the seals when they aren't compatible. While you might find freezer seal cleaners available, a simpler and more affordable option is to whip up your own. Listed below are recommended cleaning solutions:

Vinegar Mixture

One of the most popular cleaning mixtures consists of vinegar and water. The acid compound in vinegar makes it effective as a disinfectant and degreaser. It is also powerful enough to dissolve grime and dirt on various surfaces.

Although vinegar is an effective cleanser, note that it contains acid. Ensure the vinegar is diluted well before application. The dilution will lower its acid levels, making it safe to use on the rubber seals.

Soap Solution

Using a soap mix is proven to be one of the most effective cleaning methods and works on almost anything. Rubber seals can break down when used with heavy-duty components. So it is important to make the solution with dishwashing liquid or mild soap to keep it gasket-friendly.

Baking Soda Mix

Another trusted cleaning solution uses baking soda in the mixture. As opposed to vinegar, it is not acidic. Thus, it is safer when applied to rubber seals.

Baking soda's distinct feature is its abrasiveness since it is comparable to salt. The compound that makes it similar to salt is responsible for why baking soda works effectively as a cleaner.

How Do i Clean The Rubber Seal On My Freezer Door?

Cleaning the rubber seals on a freezer door requires you to have a cleaning solution and a scrubber. Avoid using aggressive cleaners or mixtures and sharp or pointy objects to scrub the seals. The video below demonstrates how you should do it:

Ready to clean the rubber seals on your own freezer door? You'll find it easier to do with these detailed steps below:

1. Take a clean cloth and thoroughly dry the freezer door seals.
2. Mix a cleaning solution with warm water. Add a tablespoon of either vinegar, dishwashing soap, or baking soda. You can also consider purchasing a spray cleaner made for rubber seals.
3. Dip a scrubber into the mixture or spray along the freezer's gasket.
4. Carefully brush the rubber seals with the scrubber. Stretch out the seals to make sure you get rid of dirt in the areas that are harder to reach. Repeat this step until the seals are completely clean.
5. Once finished, wipe off any excess dirt on and around the seals. If possible, ensure no residue is left from the cleaning solution to prevent chemicals from potentially damaging them.
6. To see if your freezer is properly sealing, close it with a piece of paper in your freezer and lightly tug it. If it stays in place, then your seals are effective.

How Do You Get Mold Off Freezer Seals?

It may alarm you if you find mold forming in freezer door seals because it can get in contact with the food. Cleaning them follows the same steps as you would with the usual grease and dirt. Here is a video that shows how to do so:

Now you can proceed to get rid of the mold on your freezer door seals by following these steps:

1. Prepare a baking soda solution. Mix warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda and stir thoroughly. The video suggests adding lemon juice to the mixture. Expect the result to have a paste-like consistency.
2. Apply and spread the solution to the freezer door seals. Cover as much area as you can.
3. Take a sturdy old toothbrush and start scrubbing the seals. A toothbrush makes it easier to reach inner areas that a sponge cannot. Be sure to do this step thoroughly.
4. When done, take a clean cloth and wipe off the paste from the rubber seals. Get rid of all the residue if possible.

In handling mold on freezer door seals, baking soda works as the safest effective option. The composition of baking soda makes it capable of inhibiting mold growth in specific cases. Additionally, it absorbs moisture, which is one of the main reasons for mold buildup.

Can You Fix The Seal On A Freezer?

Yes, you can fix a freezer's rubber seals. If your freezer door pops open or doesn't seem to be closing all the way, it could mean it is damaged. Depending on the severity of the breakage, you might have to replace it. For more helpful tips, check out our previous post on Freezer Door Pops Open – What To Do?

Fixing a freezer door seal is usually done through cleaning. When grime is present between the gaskets, it gets in the way of having the door shut tightly. Getting rid of these can freshen the seals and allow them to close all the way through. Note the freezer itself contributes to the dirt buildup, so regularly clean the freezer too.

If the problem persists after cleaning, detach the seal from the freezer door and examine for broken parts. Consider replacing it if you find any rip, crack, or other extreme tears.

What causes damage on Freezer Seals?

Over time, rubber seals will eventually wear out with frequent freezer use. However, other factors affect the quality and strength of these seals. Below are the common causes why freezer door seals become brittle:

• Chemicals from cleaners or other self-made cleaning solutions, such as a mixture of water and bleach, cause unwanted reactions.
• Extreme temperatures go beyond the freezer's operating limit.
• Installation and usage conditions surrounding the freezer could cause wear and tear.
• Pressure released on the freezer door affects the vacuum levels of the seals.

How Can I Make My Freezer Door Seal Better?

There are remedies available to help in improving a freezer door seal, like cleaning. Another method is by applying petroleum jelly to the gasket to soften it and let it seal better. Follow these steps to improve how your freezer door seals:

1. Start by cleaning the freezer seals with a soap solution. Mix dishwashing liquid with warm water until it becomes bubbly.
2. Take a brush or sponge and dip it into the solution.
3. Scrub around the rubber seals, including the inner folds, to get rid of dirt or grime. Keep in mind that cleaning in between each fold is vital in reviving the seal.
4. Thoroughly wipe it down with a clean cloth or rag.
5. When completely dry, coat and spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly onto the gasket, particularly in the drier areas.
6. If the seal is malformed or compacted, you can use a hairdryer pointed at the air gap. Slightly pull the rubber seal while the air blows into it to help it expand and remove the gap.

The Verdict

Cleanliness is crucial in freezer maintenance, especially in retaining the quality of the door's rubber seals. Fortunately, cleaning them is a quick process that can be done in three simple steps, namely: preparing your materials, scrubbing the seals, and wiping them down.

The cleaning solutions needed can also be made from accessible home ingredients. Cleaning freezer door seals are significant in fixing and improving them as well. If the issue is beyond a simple cleaning remedy, read through our article, How To Remagnetize Freezer Door Seal.