Silicone is a non-stick material used in bakeware, spatulas, cooking molds, and other tools. Those are very easy to use but not particularly easy to clean. You can wash them in the dishwasher, however, you may need to take on a hand-washing approach now and then.
You should always wash your silicone bakeware after every use. If it becomes sticky, a deeper cleaning might be needed. Do not ignore that, since leaving them like this will make the problem worse and cause them to be extra sticky and grimy.
Regular cleaning of all your silicone kitchenware will help you maintain it nonstick, clean, and easier to use. Add it to your deep cleaning routine, before the buildup of dirt and grease will cause issues.
How to clean sticky silicone kitchenware
1. Prepare a solution – Fill a large bucket or a sink with very hot water (lukewarm will not work). Add a couple of teaspoons of dishwashing detergent that has degreasing agents to the water and swish it around to make sure it is dispersed well. If your tap water doesn’t get very hot, boil some water or make it hot by warming it up in the microwave.
2. Soak the silicone kitchenware – Submerge all the silicone pieces in the hot soapy solution and let it soak for 30 minutes at least. If they are extra grimy, let them sit in it for an hour or until the water is no longer hot.
3. Scrub the silicone pieces – Remove the silicone from the soapy solution. If the water is cold, add some hot water to it. Add some grease-cutting dishwashing liquid detergent to a non-abrasive sponge and gently scrub the silicone.
4. Rinse and dry – Use hot water to thoroughly rinse the silicone and carefully dry all pieces with a microfiber cloth. When dry, touch them all over to check for any sticky residue that may still be left on the silicone. If not completely clean, repeat the step or move to the next, more-abrasive method that we will mention in the article.
5. Use oven heat – If the silicone pieces you are attempting to clean are extra sticky, turn your oven on and put them inside. Set it to 150-200 degrees and leave them inside for 10 minutes. The heat will help loosen up the sticky residue and make them easier to clean.
6. Add baking soda – Remove the silicone pieces from the oven and rinse them with water, just enough to make them damp. Sprinkle some baking soda and rub it in, in order to create a paste. Make sure to cover the whole surface with the paste and allow it to dry. Keep in mind that this may take several hours.
7. Scrub any tough stains with baking soda – Once the paste is dry, rinse the silicone bakeware with hot, soapy water. Touch them and feel if there are any sticky stains left on their surface. If yes, add some baking soda to a damp sponge and gently scrub them.
8. Rinse and repeat – Rinse the pieces in hot soapy water and allow them to dry. If the stickiness remains, repeat the steps above until it is gone.
How to remove tough stains from silicone
Some foods may leave tough stains on silicone kitchenware. Those should be removed in order to maintain the nonstick properties of the silicone.
1. Remove discoloration from silicone – Cleaning tough stains from darker foods can be done with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach. When using hydrogen peroxide, place the silicone pieces in a sink or a bucket and pour enough hydrogen peroxide in order to cover the stained area. Let it soak for 24 hours, rinse thoroughly, and dry. Chlorine bleach is stronger and needs to be diluted. Add two tablespoons of chlorine bleach to every 2 cups of water. Submerge the silicone item and let it soak for 24 hours. Rinse well before using it.
2. Remove white powdery residue – If the area you live in has hard water, white powdery residue might be found on your silicone kitchenware. It may interfere with the nonstick properties of your silicone pieces. To get rid of it, soak the item in distilled white vinegar for about 30 minutes. The vinegar will cut through mineral deposits and help you get rid of them.
Extra tips to help you maintain your silicone bakeware:
• Do not use baking sprays or any type of grease on your silicone bakeware. This will make the problem worse and cause more stains to stick to the silicone.
• When washing silicone, always use a dishwashing liquid detergent with grease-cutting properties.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners or sponges on your silicone kitchenware. They will leave scratches on the surface of the silicone. Those will catch grease and food residue and will prevent your silicone from being nonstick.
• Wash silicone after every use. Do not allow grease and oils to build up.
• Make sure your silicone bakeware is completely dry before using it. Air drying may take several hours.