How to Clean a Rubber Gasket
Found on various household appliances and equipment, rubber gaskets keep air and liquids from escaping or entering the devices. Gaskets are susceptible to dust, dirt and debris build-up. Rubber gaskets are also not immune to mold and mildew developing on the material’s surface.
The gaskets need regular cleaning and refreshing especially if the rubber becomes dry and hard. When cleaning rubber gaskets, it is important to use a cleaning solution that will remove debris and any odors.
Things You Will Need
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Dishwashing detergent: liquid
- Chlorine bleach
- Latex gloves
- Safety goggles
- Small scrub brush or old toothbrush
- 2 soft cloths or rags
- Washing soda
Tip
If the build-up of mold/mildew can’t be removed, remove and replace the rubber gasket with a new one. If cleaning the rubber gasket around a washing machine or dishwasher, run a wash cycle, with 1 cup of washing soda and hot water, to remove off any soap mixture residue from the area around the rubber gasket.
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Mix in a bucket 1 qt. of warm water and 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach. Wear latex gloves and safety goggles to keep the mixture off of your hands and out of your eyes. Stir the mixture with a small scrub brush or old toothbrush .
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Apply the mixture to the rubber gasket and scrub thoroughly. For stubborn stains or a build-up of mold/mildew, let the mixture sit on the rubber gasket for 5 minutes then scrub the build-up vigorously to remove it.
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Repeat step 2 until the gasket is clean. Pour any remaining bleach mixture down a drain and rinse the bucket with warm water from a sink.
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Mix in the bucket 1 qt. of warm water and 2 tbsp. of liquid dishwashing detergent. Stir the soap mixture with a small scrub brush or old toothbrush then scrub the gasket with the soap mixture-soaked brush to remove any bleach residue and any debris surrounding the rubber gasket.
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Wet a soft cloth or rag with a warm water from a sink, wring out excess water and wipe the rubber gasket clean with the damp towel. Dry the gasket with a clean, soft cloth or rag.
The Drip Cap
- Found on various household appliances and equipment, rubber gaskets keep air and liquids from escaping or entering the devices.
- For stubborn stains or a build-up of mold/mildew, let the mixture sit on the rubber gasket for 5 minutes then scrub the build-up vigorously to remove it.
- Pour any remaining bleach mixture down a drain and rinse the bucket with warm water from a sink.
- of liquid dishwashing detergent.
References
Writer Bio
Nick Davis is a freelance writer specializing in technical, travel and entertainment articles. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Memphis and an associate degree in computer information systems from the State Technical Institute at Memphis. His work has appeared in "Elite Memphis" and "The Daily Helmsman" in Memphis, Tenn. He is currently living in Albuquerque, N.M.
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