How to Replace the Leaky Seal on Your Refrigerator Door

Here’s a fast one question quiz for you: what is the biggest user of energy in your house? The clothes washer? The clothes dryer? Your cook stove? Your refrigerator? That’s right! Your refrigerator is the biggest user of energy. And, if it’s leaking out cold air around the seal, then it’s using more electric than ever!

As long as your refrigerator doesn’t have magnetic door seals, you can test them this way: Do you feel cold air coming out from around the door? Test the rubber seal by opening your refrigerator door. Place a dollar bill in between the seal at the top part of the unit. Can you slide the bill out easily?

Try placing the dollar bill at the side of the door, again, between the seal and the unit. Can you remove the bill easily now?

And, finally, place the bill in between the bottom of your refrigerator door and the unit. Does it pull out easily now?

However, if your refrigerator does have a magnetic seal, you’ll need to utilize another test. The first part of the test is to place a vibrant, battery operated halogen light on the top shelf inside your refrigerator. Then, close the door and check around the seal. Can you see any light?

Then, move the halogen light down to a lower shelf and check again. Repeat this process until you have moved the light to every shelf in your refrigerator.

If the door is a one-piece deal that closes the freezer too, then you’ll need to check that compartment too. Use either the dollar bill test or the halogen light test to determine if that part of the seal is leaking or not.

Replacing a leaky seal is a fairly easy task. First, you’ll have to remove the
existing rubber door seal little by little. There are screws inserted around the perimeter of the seal that hold it on. Be careful not to remove all of the screws at once, or your refrigerator door could come apart!

Unscrew a few screws at a time, and remove the rubber seal underneath. Before you install the new seal, you may have to straighten it out first so it lies flat. An easy way to make it more flexible is to toss it into your clothes dryer for three to four minutes.

Then, remove the rubber replacement seal from your dryer and place it on your refrigerator door, on the section you have removed the old seal from. Straighten it out and slip it underneath the lip. Replace the screws and tighten them securely. Repeat this process as you work your way along the entire perimeter of
the replacement seal. That is, remove a few screws; remove the old seal; put the replacement seal into place; replace the screws and tighten them.

When you have completed this task, close your refrigerator door. Either use the dollar bill test or the halogen light test, depending on the type of door it is, to check the reliability of the replacement door seal. If the new seal passes the test, then you’re done. If not, then you’ll have to inspect the new rubber seal to make sure it is in properly seated and in place.

Here’s a quick tip for you that can save you time and money: the rubber seals on a refrigerator door usually last for several years. In order to help keep them soft, supple, and in good working order, keep them clean. That is, periodically wipe the entire seal off with a rag and a mild cleaner. Then, finish the process by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly along the seal. The jelly will be help prevent the rubber seal from drying out and cracking. It will also help to resist mold and mildew than can form on the seal.