To clean with vinegar and remove mildew and odors, mix equal parts vinegar and water. Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe down the seals, using a toothbrush to scrub inside any crevices. Try to avoid using bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or other harsh chemicals.
IME rubbing alcohol (isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol) works best but still needs a fair amount of rubbing since it primarily prevents readhesion of the rubber. it does not actually dissolve it as such. Ethanol / methylated spirit also works ok.
Clean out in between the rubber gasket with dawn, power wash or a mild Cleaner, a Rubbermaid reveal & a soft wash cloth. use the same tools to clean the entire machine inside and out. Run the clean cycle or a cycle on hot water with 2 cups of bleach. Once finished run another clean cycle with 2 cups of vinegar.
One of the easiest ways to get rid of the sticky rubber on your stuff is to use window cleaner or rubbing alcohol. The ammonia in the window cleaner or the alcohol breaks down the rubberized coating, removing the part that's sticky and revealing fresh, unsticky rubber underneath.
Always use chilled water to wash and rinse your curtains in a washing machine, as hot water may damage or even melt the rubber. Simply soak them in a gentle cycle with a light detergent that doesn't include chlorine or washing boosters.
Cleaning Mould from Curtains
A stain remover can be used on any discoloured areas, or you can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to help with both the discolouration and the smell. Your curtains can then be washed in a hot cycle in your washing machine to kill any mould on the fabric.
Whatever method you choose, use cold water and mild detergent. If you wash by hand, submerge one panel at a time in a sink or basin and soak in soapy water for 10 minutes. Swirl it around, drain and refill the basin, and rinse until all soap residue is gone.
For rubber thats hardened and is no longer pliable, you can try a mixture of isopropyl alcohol + wintergreen oil (3:1). Soaking the part in that may restore some pliability but in cases where something is cracking, you may not want it to be pliable as that will just increase the cracks.
Simply soak the toys in vinegar as described to remove scum. Soaking toys in vinegar should loosen mold, scum, and stubborn dirtiness.
Sticky over time phenomena is due to plasticization. This occurs when Plastic/Rubber absorbs small molecules (water, other liquid, etc.) from the environment, which makes polymer flexible and less rigid. Heat can also cause plasticization.
Prepare a Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Apply the Solution: Spray the solution generously on the moldy area. Scrub Away: Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the mold off. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the rubber item and let it dry completely.
Baking soda and white vinegar are great allies for cleaning white soles. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of white vinegar to form a paste. Apply it to your soles with a toothbrush and rub gently. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
The rubber on a washing machine turns black due to the growth of mould or mildew.
Run the washing machine on a hot cycle
Add a cup of white vinegar or Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner to the detergent compartment. The hot water and vinegar combination will help remove any scum or buildup inside the machine, including the rubber seal. Repeat this process if you have particularly stubborn scum buildup.
Rubber. Cleaning rubber with alcohol from time to time shouldn't be an issue, especially if you're attempting to work out a persistent stain. But if you make a habit of using it, it will eventually cause rubber to deteriorate. So for day-to-day maintenance, it's best to stick with an alcohol-free cleaning solution.
Simple Green has also developed break-through water based cleaners that are safe for use on metals, plastics, rubber and high tech alloys. Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner and Simple Green Pro HD are available on both the industrial and retail markets, respectively.
So, to improve the longevity of the rubber surface, make sure you take good care when it's newly installed. – Avoid oil or solvent-based floor cleaners as they can damage the floor. For instance, using turpentine or acetone-based cleaning solutions can permanently damage the surface.
If you're dealing with a mouldy seal, this method is your not-so-secret weapon: Swing the washing machine door wide open and fully expose the rubber seal. Grab a cotton pad or ball, dip it in white vinegar, and put it to work. Wipe or scrub away any visible mould from the rubber.
I use baking soda and white distilled vinegar along with my laundry detergent and it removes stains and odors. If you apply vinegar to rubber and let it sit without rinsing it off, it will degrade the rubber (this is well known and is not a point of argument).
WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant safely lubricates, resists water and protects metal and non-metal surfaces such as rubber, plastic and vinyl. Once dried, this formula leaves a clear, non-staining film that doesn't stick or make a mess, so it won't attract dirt.
Rubber conditioner (brand names such as Sonax, Wurth, Meguiars etc have suitable products)
Concerning vaseline, it is a petroleum derivative. As mentioned above, hydrocarbons attack rubber. If you coat rubber gaskets with petroleum jelly to preserve them, you will get the opposite effect. After a few months, the rubber will become porous and you will need to change all your joints.
Curtains with a rubber backing need a little extra attention. Hang them outside and spray with a hose, then use a gentle detergent to sponge clean. Rinse with cold water and leave to dry, making sure the backs of the curtains don't touch anything.
Clean and Freshen Drapes in the Washing Machine
If you're able to do laundry at home, rest assured, it is possible to put drapes and curtains in the washing machine if the fabric allows. The best way to clean curtains and drapes is to wash them on a gentle cycle, in cool to warm water, with mild detergent.
Perchloroethylene (known in the industry as "perc") is the most commonly used solvent, although alternative solvents such as hydrocarbons, and supercritical CO 2 are also used.