
What’s the purpose of placing a piece of paper in the refrigerator door?
Typically, household refrigerators have two doors, with the top door being the most frequently used, opened several times a day. If you have children, it may even be opened more often. In that case, it’s essential to ensure that the refrigerator door is functioning correctly.
To check this, open the top door of your refrigerator and place a piece of paper between the body and the door. Then, gently try to pull the paper out while closing the door. If the paper cannot be pulled out, it indicates a good door seal.
On the other hand, if the paper can be easily pulled out or falls out by itself, it means that the rubber gasket on the door is loose and no longer creates an effective seal.
A loose seal allows outside temperature to enter, affecting the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator. As a result, the refrigerator has to work harder to maintain the set temperature, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced food preservation quality.
Compared to the top door, the bottom door is less frequently used, so this issue may be less noticeable.
Over time, your refrigerator may consume more electricity as it works harder to maintain the desired temperature. Therefore, it’s important to perform this simple test periodically to ensure your refrigerator is functioning optimally.
How to fix a loose rubber gasket on your refrigerator door
If the rubber gasket on your refrigerator door is loose, you can use a hairdryer to improve the seal. Set your hairdryer to the highest temperature setting and direct the hot air towards the rubber gasket, moving it from top to bottom to ensure even heating.
The heat will cause the rubber to expand and become more flexible, improving the seal. Once you’ve heated the entire gasket, test the seal again by placing a piece of paper between the door and the body. If you cannot pull the paper out, the door is now properly sealed.
A properly sealed door prevents cold air from escaping and warm air from entering, allowing your refrigerator to maintain its temperature efficiently. This results in reduced energy consumption and lower electricity bills.
If the paper test still fails after heating the gasket, it’s time to replace the rubber gasket with a new one.