My seal is sticky. How should I clean it?Updated 2 years ago

The sticky substance on the seal is just a combination of mineral oil mixing with old coffee oils on the seal surface.  All AeroPress materials are FDA-approved for contact with food during preparation.

You can follow these instructions to clean a sticky seal:

1. Remove the seal from the end of the plunger. 
2. Boil some soapy water in a saucepan. 
3. Remove the pan from the stove. 
4. Soak the seal in the hot soapy water for about 5 minutes. 
5. Remove the seal from the hot water (use tongs or at least a fork so you don't burn your fingers). 
6. Immediately strongly wipe the hot, wet seal all over with a paper towel. 

Repeat these 6 steps if needed.  You can get the seal back to looking and feeling like new.  Going forward, it's a good idea to wash your seal with warm, soapy water about once a week.

If you decide you'd like a new seal, it's easy to replace the old one. Just buy a new AeroPress seal here.