Skip to content Science reveals that air carries 100 – 10000 microorganisms per cubic meter. These microorganisms if kept unchecked will invade our bodies, gobbling up nutrients and energy. It’s common knowledge that microorganisms thrive in dirty environments (greasy, oily surfaces).Let’s explain “how to clean silicone?” in a few ways.
Materials need to be kept clean, from clothing materials to kitchenware, even more bathrooms, vehicles, you can name it! These materials are made of different chemicals and raw materials. Some are made with cast iron, aluminum, cotton and our focus silicone. What’s so special about silicone? For example, a toddler can clean up an iron plate but would a silicone plate be possible?
Silicone is a material of choice because of its non-sticky nature, heat resistance, lightweight and soft feel. Silicone needs to be cleaned and cared for properly in order to serve you for a longer time.
However, to clean silicone requires a different approach and materials. You need to know how to clean your silicone products because you can mistakenly damage it with little knowledge of its cleaning methods.
This article talks about the detailed step by step process for cleaning silicone. You will learn how to clean silicone till a sparkling surface is obtained.
Materials needed to Clean Silicone
Traditional washing requires you to have your liquid soap, basin and water. That remains with the addition of few materials like hand gloves, oven, microfiber cloth, baking soda etc
The use of Hand gloves
Hand gloves help to safeguard your hands from burning. During cleaning, you will be exposed to hot water and because you will need to stir the water and dishwashing liquid, your hands need to be protected.
Microfibre Cloth
This cloth serves a different purpose from your kitchen rag or napkin. When used with water, it is 98.9 percent effective at getting rid of bacteria and germs from the surface of your silicone. It cleans better than traditional napkins.
Oven
The oven is used to heat up your silicone products to loosen the tough stains or residue.
Baking soda
This is applied for more difficult stains. When mixed with lukewarm water, you get a baking paste. The baking paste can remove tough stains from the silicone surface.
Methods of Cleaning Silicone
To clean silicone, there are three methods. The methods include, using the dish soap method, oven method and lasting, baking paste used for tough stains. Don’t be confused, all three methods are used depending on how greasy the silicone surface appears.
The Dish soap Method
It is used for a less greasy silicone surface. It is suitable if the cleaning is immediately after the silicone was used. The steps include:
Mixing the Dish Soap and Hot Water
First thing first, fill the bucket, bowl or sink with very hot water. At least the temperature of the water should be at its boiling point. In cases when the water turns cold, you can boil and add more hot water. Then, add one teaspoon of dish washing detergent or liquid soap. Afterwards, use your hand to spread the detergent to ensure even distribution through the water.
Soaking the Silicone
Place the silicone inside the hot soapy water and leave it for a minimum of 30 minutes. However, allowing it to stay for a longer time is better. Leaving it for a longer time allows it to degrease effectively.
Scrub Away Residue
After the silicone has been left for at least 30 minutes, remove the silicone from the soaking solution. The solution should be hot, if not you should add more hot water. Now, you scrub the silicone to remove the dirt. Do not scrub the silicone with hard and sharp substances like plastic scrubs, abrasive scrub etc. This type of scrub will destroy silicone’s non-stick qualities.
Rinse in Hot Water
Rinse the silicone piece in hot water and dry with a microfiber cloth. You should feel the surface, if it’s not gripping you should repeat step 1-4 till a firm surface is achieved.
The Oven Method
This is an alternative when the dish washing method seems inefficient. Moreover, in scenarios you need to wash faster, you can opt for the oven method.
Heating in the Oven
You should preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheits and insert the silicone piece to soften the stains for 10 minutes.
Removing the Silicone Piece
Carefully remove the silicone piece from the oven. For safety, make sure you are wearing your glove to keep your hand safe from burning inside the oven.
Rinsing with Water to dampen the surface
Rinse the silicone with water to dampen the surface and sprinkle the silicone liberally with dry baking soda. Make a paste with water on the silicone and allow it to dry completely.
Baking Soda Method
This method involves using baking soda to remove tough stains from silicone. To remove tough stains the following steps is to be followed:
Heating the silicone
Silicone should be heated in an oven up to 350F. The main purpose of heating is to loosen the residue and tough stains. The silicone should be left for at least 10 minutes.
Rinsing the Silicone in soapy and luke-warm water.
Prepare a solution of soap and lukewarm water in a sink or bowl. This should be prepared immediately when the silicone is heated up. Let’s say right after step one.
Gently clean silicone in the soapy solution
Remove the silicone from the oven and dip it into the soapy solution. Gently scrub the silicone with a non-adhesive sponge and rinse in a luke-warm water.
Baking Paste
After rinsing, do not dry the silicone but sprinkle baking soda on its surface. Ensure the baking soda is spread evenly across the silicone and leave it to dry. Once it is dried you should rinse and you have your clean silicone.
How to clean silicone phone case
Silicone phone cases can be cleaned on a weekly or daily basis. Cleaning silicone case:
- Separate the phone from its casing. Gently remove the phone casing to prevent damage or tear it.
- Prepare your solution of warm water with dishwashing liquid/detergent. Proceeding, you stir till it is slightly foaming.
- Next, you use a soft brush (suitably, a clean toothbrush) to scrub the case. For stubborn dirt/tough stains apply baking soda and the tough residue will be gone for good.
- Rinse the soapy mixture off your case. Gently rub the inner and outer part of your case with your hand till you have a firm grip. Dry the case completely with a microfibre cloth and put your phone back into its case.
How to clean silicone cookwares
Did you finish making your cookies and cupcakes and your baking mats are having a greasy feel? You’ve tried out the traditional dish washing method but the oily feel seems to be undisturbed, perhaps become more noticeable? Cleaning silicone cookware requires a different approach in contrast with other materials like aluminum, stainless steel etc.
Let’s recall, to clean silicone there are three main approaches. Each approach depends on the level of stain or greasy feel of your silicone.
For a soft stain, a mixture of dishwashing soap and hot water will get your silicone cleaned. A tough stain will require you to heat it up in an oven before you insert it in a soapy mixture.
Finally, this is the use of baking soda to make a baking paste on the silicone surface. This is used when you use other methods and you have residue left on the surface.
In addition, to clean your silicone cookware, dip a soft non-abrasive sponge in a soapy hot water and gently scrub your cookware like you do for other materials. Once it is thoroughly scrubbed, you rinse the silicone.
Now, you move to the oven part. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three minutes.
Extract your silicone from the oven and finally, you dip it into a solution of luke-warm water and rinse. For really, though, stains use baking soda.
So far you read about three basic methods or techniques. Dish soap washing with hot water, it stains persists, heat it up in the oven and still adamant, baking soda will do the magic.
Some guides will tell you about using hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleach, white vinegar. Using these chemicals works but to be put into consideration, the non- stick surface, the methods talked about in this article, is best.
Whether you use baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide, there are some things you should never do when cleaning silicone. As minute as they may seem, they can destroy the shape of your silicone products (molds). Moreover, they can reduce the lifespan of your silicone material.
Things to avoid when cleaning silicone
It is important to note that silicone is different from other materials like cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum. Even more, not all silicone are created equal. The nature of the silicone used for cookware is different from that used to make automobile parts. To play safe, it’s best to check with the manufacturer for specific cleaning tips. Some of them are listed below
- Do not clean silicone with an abrasive sponge. Abrasive sponge will cause parts of the silicone to flake off, removing its non-stick properties.
- Do not dry silicone outdoors in the sun. Also, avoid drip drying or air drying.
- Do not store silicone in a wet or hot place with temperature below 40 celsius or above 70 celsius.
- Bleach or ammonia should not be used to clean silicone.
- Volatile chemicals like hydrofluoric acid and sulphuric acid should not be used to clean silicone. These chemicals are harmful to the body and will damage the silicone’s property.
Conclusion
Practical use of these tips and tricks prolongs your silicone products. Cleaning your silicone keeps your wares at Bay. Surprisingly, you will discover that the oil residue and stains that seem so hard and unwilling to go will be removed easily. This article was written with research from written works of experts. However, before you jump into cleaning your silicone, check for manufacturer’s instructions.
To prevent deep stains on your silicone products, you should set a reminder or mark a date on your calendar for cleaning. This helps you stay consistent and also increase the longevity of your silicone.
FAQ
FAQ
What is the best thing to clean silicone with?
Dish soap is good for everyday maintenance of silicone, while products including baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide will do the trick if you need to deep clean silicone cooking and baking supplies.
What should you not clean silicone with?
Do no use alcohol when cleaning silicone bakeware since it can damage the silicone.
Does vinegar damage silicone?
White vinegar can be used to clean silicone and is generally not strong enough to damage the material.
