As a water-using appliance, your washer comes with a plastic gasket around the edge. In front-load washers, this piece of pliable plastic forms a seal when the door is closed, preventing any of the wash water that is touching it from escaping. Seals can get dry and brittle over time, which compromises the integrity of the part and may cause your appliance to leak. This is a genuine replacement part sourced from the original manufacturer.