• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

How To Clean Stuff.net

  • Automotive
  • Fabrics
  • Floors
  • House
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Misc
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Stains
  • Blog
  • Ask a Question
Home » Cleaning Guides » Kitchen & Bath » Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures » How to Remove Mildew from Refrigerator Gaskets

How to Remove Mildew from Refrigerator Gaskets

Table of Contents:
  1. Hydrogen Peroxide Method
  2. Bleach Method
  3. WD-40 Method
  4. Additional Tips and Advice

Question: “How to get rid of old mildew stains on refrigerator gaskets”

With warmth from the outside air and moisture from the interior of the fridge, gaskets around your refrigerator/freezer doors can quickly become the home to mold and mildew. The first step is to kill the source and then prevent it from returning. There are several ways to approach this black monster.

Hydrogen Peroxide Method

You Will Need:

  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Spray bottle
  • Soft cloths
  • Cotton swabs (optional)

The Removal Process:

  1. Begin by cleaning the area as normal to remove as much dirt as possible.
  2. Fill the spray bottle with undiluted hydrogen peroxide.
  3. Spray the affect areas.
  4. Allow the spray to sit on the stain for several minutes.
  5. Wipe away with a clean cloth. Cotton swabs can be used to clean out crevices and other nooks.
  6. Repeat as necessary.
  7. When all of the black stains are removed, clean the area as normal to remove any hydrogen peroxide residue.

Bleach Method

Bleach is a killer of all germs including mold and mildew, but it can also dry your gaskets out. In extreme cases, it may be a necessity, but approach this method with caution so that your gaskets do not become dry and crack.

You Will Need:

  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Spray bottle
  • Soft cloths
  • Cotton swabs (optional)
  • Lubricant (ex: Vaseline)

The Removal Process:

  1. Wipe the area down to remove as much dirt as possible.
  2. Combine one part bleach with two parts water in the spray bottle and mix well.
  3. Apply the solution to the stained areas and allow it to soak for several minutes.
  4. Wipe away excess bleach solution using the soft cloth. Cotton swabs or old toothbrushes can be used to remove growth in tighter areas.
  5. Repeat only until the stain is gone. Be cautious not to dry out or damage the gaskets with excessive bleach usage.
  6. After the stain is removed, clean the area thoroughly to remove any excess bleach.
  7. If the gaskets appear to be drying out, apply a lubricant as necessary. Vasaline works well, as does olive oil or coconut oil.

WD-40 Method

A lesser known method, WD-40 has been effective for removing many types of stains, including mildew.

You Will Need:

  • WD-40
  • Soft cloth
  • Cotton swabs (optional)
  • Mild cleaner

The Removal Process:

  1. Clean as much of the dirt and mildew away with normal cleaning methods.
  2. Spray WD-40 on the stain and let it set for a few minutes.
  3. Wipe away using the soft cloth and cotton swabs for tighter areas.
  4. Repeat as necessary until the stains are gone.
  5. After the stains are gone, clean using normal cleaners to remove all traces of the WD-40.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • Vinegar makes a great protective barrier against future mold growth. Rub white vinegar on the walls and gaskets of your fridge to ward off future attacks of mildew.
  • Vinegar can also be used to clean mildew stains, but may not be as effective as the methods above.

Filed Under: Cleaning Guides, Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures Tagged With: gasket, mildew, refrigerator, rubber

Was This Guide Helpful?

+434
-13
Rating: +421. From 447 votes.
Please wait...
  • If you would like a response from us, please leave your question in the comment area at the bottom of this page instead of here.

Reader Interactions

Related Posts

How to Remove Hard Water Deposits from an Ice Dispenser
How to Clean a Scorch Mark on a Refrigerator Door
How to Clean Smoke Stains from a Refrigerator
How to Remove Tape Residue from a Refrigerator

Comments

  1. Yvonne says

    March 23, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    A few drops of oil of cloves in 500 ml of water in a spray bottle gets rid of mould and mildew on walls and anything instantly. One spray, then one wipe with a paper towel or toilet paper and it is all gone…wonderful!

    Reply
  2. Derek L says

    June 21, 2014 at 9:01 am

    I’ve used bleach and toothbrushes before on the mold that’s impregnated the bottom interior rubber seals on our windows. Nothing so far removes the black that has badly discolored the bottom seals on all of our main floor windows.

    Sadly…I’m about to give up on seeing the white rubber seals getting their natural white color back. Any added tricks would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  3. Margaret says

    January 21, 2013 at 6:06 am

    What great advice. I knew of some but the methods, but the WD-40… whoa, that’s a new one to me.

    I love the way you guys put each step separately. It’s so easily to understand.

    Reply
  4. Naomi says

    January 22, 2016 at 4:39 am

    Hydrogen peroxide and bleach will both rot the door seal. This is not good advice!

    Reply
  5. Julia says

    January 12, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Thanks for this great article. I found out just what I needed to know. Your formatting was really easy to read also, which I appreciate!

    Reply
  6. Vera says

    December 15, 2016 at 3:54 am

    Went straight away with a toothbrush and white vinegar. Ran down all gaskets with ease and removed all milldew. Will do this monthly.

    Thank you so much.

    Reply
  7. Bonnie T. says

    October 7, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    We bought an older home with a sub-zero refrigerator that’s over 20 years old. The stains on the gasket from mildew are pretty permanent. The hydrogen peroxide worked on most of them. Do you recommend replacing the gasket? And in this easily done?

    Reply
    • Hersh says

      June 7, 2018 at 7:44 am

      I’m in the same predicament—as I’m sure you’ve found, you can replace sub-zero parts, but it will cost you. Have you found any way to treat the mildew stains? Mildew itself isn’t bad, but the discoloration it leaves behind is what I’m trying to clean…

      Reply
  8. Jacqueline says

    July 27, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I will definitely try the hydrogen peroxide, but I was told if you use vinegar on anything rubber you’ll have to do a rinse because the acidity eventually damages rubber and plastics?

    Reply
  9. Cindy says

    January 3, 2019 at 1:12 pm

    I have a sub-zero fridge with the freezer being on the bottom. The door has mildew stains, which I have tried to remove. Any suggestions please?

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      January 8, 2019 at 3:03 am

      Cindy,
      The same methods here can be used on a freezer. If needed, there are alco commercial mold and mildew removers you can try.Good luck!

      Reply
  10. Sariff says

    January 15, 2016 at 6:31 am

    What a wonderful method using WD-40. It’s very effective.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Featured Guides

Fresh Strawberries

How to Wash Strawberries

How to Properly Clean and Protect Hands from Coronavirus

How to Clean Hair and Dust from a Bathroom Floor

How to Clean Your Toothbrush

Related Posts

How to Remove Hard Water Deposits from an Ice Dispenser
How to Clean a Scorch Mark on a Refrigerator Door
How to Clean Smoke Stains from a Refrigerator
How to Remove Tape Residue from a Refrigerator

Footer

Cleaning Index

  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Clothing & Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • House
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Things You Own

Site Search

About Us

  • About Us
  • Guest Post Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map

© Copyright 2022 HowToCleanStuff.net · All Rights Reserved ·