Fix a refrigerator door seal easily with this step by step guide. The seal’s job is to keep the cool air inside of the refrigerator and the room air outside.
Some refrigerator seals are lined with a magnet that runs its length and width. The magnet helps to hold the door closed and create a tight seal. The screws that hold the seal to the door also hold the door liner in and help to “square” the door.
Since your refrigerator can be up to 10% of your monthly electricity bill, it is important to inspect the seal regularly and change whenever it gets frayed or torn in any way.
Inspect your current seal: Mildew can form on refrigerator seals, this can cause an unpleasant odor and/or can cause the seals to become brittle and crack over time. So it's very important to periodically clean the refrigerator seals with a toothbrush and a solution of warm water and baking soda or bleach. Gently pull the seal back to expose the folds. Be careful not to pull too hard or you may tear the seal(It can be brittle on an old fridge.). If they are torn or warped, they cannot form a tight seal with the refrigerator and should be replaced.
Remove the old one: You may need remove the door on an older model refrigerator. On most newer ones you probably won't need to. The old seal is held in place by the inner door panel, which is held by a series of screws hidden under the rubber seal itself. Pull the seal back just far enough to reveal the screws and remove them. Take a careful note (better yet a photo) of the positioning of the old seal before removing it completely.