Torn Seal Issues
If a seal on a Whirlpool front-load washer tears, this tear can result in leaks. The larger the tear becomes, the more water escapes, so it is important to fix the seal as soon as possible. The torn edges on seals may also snag on clothes before the tear becomes large enough to cause a full-on leak. When the seal snags clothes, you may find rips in clothes as you remove them from the washer.
Installing a New Seal
Since the seal on the door of the Whirlpool front-load washer serves as the primary line of defense against leaks, Whirlpool recommends contacting a Whirlpool repairperson to change a broken seal. If you decide to change the seal yourself, you can buy a replacement seal directly through Whirlpool. Don’t try to save money by buying an unbranded seal. If the seal does not have the proper fit, it will fail to stop water from escaping.
Items Stuck Beneath Seal
One main cause of tears on the seal of a Whirlpool front-load washer is items that get stuck around the seal. Whirlpool recommends checking beneath the seal occasionally, weekly or monthly depending upon how often you do laundry, for small items that may be lodged behind or beside the seal. If you find items lodged by the seal, pull the seal away from each item as much as possible and extract the item carefully to keep it from tearing a hole in the seal.
Maintaining a Seal
To keep the seal on a Whirlpool front-load washer in top condition, you should clean the seal regularly. Whirlpool recommends once per month. Aside from removing any small items found lodged around the seal, you should remove any stains from the seal with a mixture of 3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use a cloth dampened with the solution to wipe the seal, allow the bleach solution to sit on the seal for five minutes and wipe the seal down with a dry cloth.