Your fridge could be leaking cold air without you noticing – here's a simple way to check

The fridge door closes, the light goes out and everything seems fine. But what if your fridge is quietly losing cold air every time you shut it? The rubber strip around the door can wear down, harden or become dirty over time, and you might not notice anything is wrong until your appliance starts working harder than it should.

A faulty door seal is easy to overlook because there may be no obvious sign of damage. Yet even a small gap can affect how well your fridge keeps food cold and how much energy it uses.

With 15 November marking Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day in the US, it's a good time to give your appliance a little attention. And checking whether the door is sealing properly doesn't require any special tools.

Try the simple paper test

One of the easiest ways to check your fridge door seal is with an ordinary sheet of paper. Open the door, place one half of the paper inside the fridge and leave the other half sticking out. Then close the door and slowly try to pull the paper free.

If you feel some resistance, the seal is probably gripping the paper as it should. But if the paper slides out easily, cold air may be escaping through that section of the door.

Repeat the test at several points around the fridge, including the corners and the top and bottom edges. A seal can work perfectly well in one area but leave a small gap somewhere else. It's also worth checking the freezer door, if your appliance has one.

You can use a banknote in the same way. HomeServe explains how to carry out the paper test and what the results could mean.

A torch can help you spot gaps too

If you're still unsure, there's another simple check you can try. Place a lit torch inside the fridge, close the door and turn off the kitchen lights. Look around the edges of the door to see whether any light escapes.

If you can see light coming through, it may indicate that the door isn't sealing properly. Just remember that a small amount of light or an uneven-looking strip doesn't automatically mean the seal needs replacing. Check the paper test as well before deciding what to do.

Natural Resources Canada recommends both the paper and flashlight tests as ways to check whether refrigerator seals are working properly.

Look out for these warning signs

A damaged seal doesn't always announce itself with an obvious gap. There are a few other clues worth watching for:

• The fridge runs more often: It may need to work harder to maintain its temperature when cold air escapes.
• Frost or ice builds up: Unusual frost around the freezer or door area could indicate a sealing problem.
• Condensation appears: Moisture around the edges may be a sign that warm air is getting inside.
• Food doesn't stay cold enough: If the temperature is inconsistent, the seal is one possible cause, although other faults could also be responsible.

These signs aren't proof that the door seal is faulty, but they're worth investigating. HomeServe lists several of these symptoms as possible indications of a failing refrigerator seal.

Clean the seal before replacing it

Before buying a replacement, check whether dirt or food residue is preventing the rubber strip from making proper contact with the fridge. Open the door and gently clean the seal with warm water and a little mild washing-up liquid. Pay particular attention to the folds, where crumbs and grime can collect.

Wipe it dry afterwards and repeat the paper test. It's also worth checking whether anything inside the fridge is stopping the door from closing fully. Overloaded shelves, misplaced containers or a door that has become misaligned can all affect how it shuts.

Keeping the rubber strip clean is also recommended by Kassa's guide to reducing refrigerator electricity use.

If the paper still slips out easily after cleaning and checking the door, the seal may need replacing. Look for your fridge's model number, usually found on a label inside the appliance, and use it to find the correct replacement. Door seals aren't universal, so ordering one that simply looks similar isn't a good idea. ENERGY STAR also advises replacing refrigerator seals if they are no longer airtight.

A quick check now could help you spot a problem before it becomes more noticeable. And the next time you clean out your fridge, take a moment to check the rubber strip around the door too.