Q&A for How to Soften Rubber

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How do I soften the rubber coating in my raincoat? It's gotten very stiff over time.

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

A good option for this would be using your hair dryer to heat the rubber coating for a few minutes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 4
Question

How can I soften an elastic waisbband on boxer shorts?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

You can put them in your clothes dryer and put it on the highest heat setting.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 4
Question

How to soften rubber gaskets?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Use boiling water or a hair dryer.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 32
Question

How do I soften the rubber seals located on the edges of a refrigerator and freezer door?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Use a hand-held hair dryer.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6
Question

I have some erasers that dried out and could not be used. Could I use this method? If not, what am I going to do?

Community Answer

It would depend on the type of eraser. A lot of erasers are a rubber compound, and without knowing how to soften the other ingredients it's difficult to say. I would start with hot water - place them in a shallow dish of water and microwave them for 20-30 seconds at a time. I wouldn't use anything stronger than water, as it would likely change the constitution of the eraser and compromise its functionality.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
Question

How can I soften rubber kitchen cleaning gloves?

Community Answer

Keep them stored with a light dusting of talc or corn starch. This will keep the product soft and moisture free.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 0