Ya, I was thinking of the 'real' one on my 'cold water heater' and what
any washer may look like if it became brittle or dry rotted over many
years. Probably not an issue for the OP but hey, I said if he were
anal.

I know somone who "replace all the rubber" on his vehicles every year
or two. All hoses, belts, some gaskets and of course tires - whether
they need it or not.