[vfinn]

Maybe you don't mind me asking. I have a small hole in my top-loading washing machine's rubber seal and I have been wondering whether it could be fixed (a new seal costs 100$ and it'd feel nuts to throw it away for environmental reasons alone). I know there are rubber glues, and I have made tests with one, but the question is can they be used inside a washing machine. Does anyone know (a solution to this problem)? The hole is 4cm x 1cm.

Edit: As a side note I have wondered also whether I could use two pieces (of metal, let's say) that I'd screw/press together tightly to prevent the leak. Does that make any sense?

[bagels]

Hard to know whether a metal gasket would work here, but it's extremely unlikely as you need tight tolerances and high clamping force. Rubber is used here probably because those things are absent, and there is probably movement involved. Other commenter has the right idea, you can probably make a new gasket.

[vfinn]

It's hard to say what kind of forces are involved. I could probably open the side panel and be able to see if I run it without water. I was hoping the rubber seal would mostly be flapping along mildly as a whole.

[doctorwho42]

Depending on the size and shape of this seal(gasket), you can go one of two paths; (1) use a gasket compound, it comes out liquidish and then sets into a rubber. (2) buy sheet gasket material similar to your gasket, and trace and cut the gasket out. Depending on size the sheet cost could very between a few dollars to like $10-15.

[blamazon]

How about a bicycle inner tube patch? Those are generally resilient to the elements.

Or an air mattress patch, or a pool liner patch, or a jetski seat repair patch...

[vfinn]

I was thinking of a truck wheel patch, but I'd like to be sure there won't be any stains, and that the glue won't react with the detergent, for example. I don't know if it's possible.