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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 Scientist based in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests and previous scientific experience include environmental science, geography, biotechnology, mariculture, marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and spatial ecology. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sydney and a Project Manager at Offshore Biotechnologies. Prior to her work in Sydney, Bess was a Postdoctoral Researcher for over 2 years at Florida State University. She received a PhD in Geography from Florida State University, with a doctoral dissertation entitled "Culturing a Sustainable Seafood Future: How Governance, Economics, and Society Are Driving the Global Marine Aquaculture Industry”. 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.

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Question

How can I soften an elastic waisbband on boxer shorts?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Scientist based in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests and previous scientific experience include environmental science, geography, biotechnology, mariculture, marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and spatial ecology. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sydney and a Project Manager at Offshore Biotechnologies. Prior to her work in Sydney, Bess was a Postdoctoral Researcher for over 2 years at Florida State University. She received a PhD in Geography from Florida State University, with a doctoral dissertation entitled "Culturing a Sustainable Seafood Future: How Governance, Economics, and Society Are Driving the Global Marine Aquaculture Industry”. 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.

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Question

How to soften rubber gaskets?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Use boiling water or a hair dryer.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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