How to Clean Silicone Baby Plates
Silicone tableware is a top choice for many parents due to its durability, safety, and ease of use. However, cleaning silicone baby plates and straw cups is essential to keeping them looking new and odour-free. Whether you're dealing with lingering smells from dishwashing detergents or food or want to maintain your tableware's hygienic condition, these tips will help you keep your silicone baby plates, cups, and bowls in excellent shape.
Tips to Keep Your Silicone Tableware Fresh and Odour-Free
Silicone tableware is safe, durable and convenient but can sometimes hold onto strong odours if not cared for properly. Follow these tips to experience the full benefits of silicone tableware and ensure your baby's feeding products stay fresh and odour-free.
1. Rinse Thoroughly to Remove Soap Residue
After washing your silicone tableware, including all of the bowls, spoons, and plates in your baby feeding sets, it's crucial to rinse off all soap thoroughly. Even a small amount of soap residue can lead to unpleasant odours and affect the performance of suction bases on silicone plates for babies. Ensuring your items are entirely soap-free will help keep them fresh and maintain their effectiveness during mealtime.
2. Use Fragrance-Free Detergents
Opt for mild, fragrance-free dishwashing detergents to prevent silicone from retaining soapy smells. Perfumed soaps can leave a lingering scent on silicone items, which may transfer to your child's food. Using a neutral detergent will help keep your tableware smelling fresh and tasting clean.
3. Avoid Using a "Heavy Duty" Cycle for Cleaning
Although silicone can handle high temperatures, exposure to very hot water can increase the likelihood of odour absorption. To keep your silicone tableware fresh, opt for a "Normal" dishwasher setting or wash with warm water instead of hot. This small adjustment can make a big difference in keeping your items odour-free.
4. Towel Dry to Prevent Water Spots and Streaks
After washing, towel dry your silicone tableware. This helps maintain its appearance and prevents water spots and streaks. Gently pat the items with a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture and keep them looking new.
5. Ensure Tableware is Completely Dry Before Storing
To avoid moisture buildup, which can lead to mould and unpleasant odours, always ensure your silicone tableware is completely dry before storing. After towel drying, place the items on a clean drying rack or towel in a well-ventilated area. Make sure they are not stacked or overlapping, allowing proper airflow for thorough drying.
6. How to Eliminate Odours from Silicone Tableware
If your silicone tableware has absorbed strong odours from food or soap, there are effective ways to remove them:
1. Switch to Unscented Detergent: If you’ve been using scented dishwashing detergent, swapping to an unscented one can help soap odours fade naturally after a few washes.
2. Boil Method: Submerge the silicone items in boiling water for 10-15 minutes to release trapped odours and thoroughly sanitise them.
3. Bake Method: Place the items in an oven at 160°C for 30+ minutes to neutralise odours and restore freshness. Be sure to use tongs to remove them carefully.
4. Bi-Carb Soda Solution: Apply a bi-carb soda (baking soda) paste, let it sit for a few hours, then rinse. This is great for stubborn odours.
Want more tips and tricks to keep your silicone tableware fresh? Read the full blog post: 4 Effective Ways to Remove Smells from Silicone Tableware for in-depth solutions and expert advice.
7. Handle Stains Promptly
While silicone is resistant to most stains, highly pigmented foods like tomato sauce, and pumpkin or carrot puree can occasionally leave marks. The good news is that these stains will often fade naturally after a few washes. To minimise staining:
- Clean the affected area as soon as possible with mild soap and water.
- For stubborn stains, create a paste using baking soda and water, then place it in the dishwasher or leave it in direct sunlight for a day to eradicate the stain.
- Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
- Air Dry for Best Results
8. Store Away from Strong Odours
Silicone can absorb scents from its surroundings, so storing your tableware away from strong-smelling items like cleaning supplies or scented candles is best. Keep your silicone products in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness and prevent odour absorption.
9. Avoid Using Sharp Utensils
Although silicone is durable, sharp utensils can damage its surface, causing tears or scratches where food particles and bacteria can accumulate. Use silicone-friendly utensils to prolong the lifespan of your tableware and keep it safe for your child.
10. Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Periodically inspect your silicone tableware for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or weakened suction bases. Replacing damaged items ensures your baby's feeding experience remains safe and hygienic.
Common Cleaning Mistakes with Silicone Tableware
Proper care and maintenance are essential for keeping your silicone tableware in the best condition. However, some common mistakes can lead to lingering odours, stains, or damage. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for when cleaning silicone vs plastic tableware:
1. Using Harsh Detergents
Avoid using strong or abrasive detergents, bleach, or harsh cleaning agents on your silicone tableware. These chemicals can degrade the silicone material over time, causing it to lose its durability and potentially affecting the safety of your baby's food.
Tip: To preserve the integrity of your silicone items, use mild, fragrance-free dish soap or gentle, eco-friendly dishwasher detergents.
2. Exposing to Extreme Temperatures
While silicone is generally heat-resistant, exposing it to extreme temperatures, such as placing it too close to oven heating elements or on an open flame, can cause it to warp or degrade. Similarly, rapid temperature changes, like moving directly from the freezer to a hot oven, can damage the material.
Tip: Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for temperature limits and avoid sudden, drastic changes in temperature.
3. Not Rinsing Thoroughly
Leaving soap residue on your silicone tableware can lead to unpleasant tastes and odours. This mistake is often made when rushing through the cleaning process.
Tip: Take the time to rinse your silicone items thoroughly after washing to remove all traces of soap.
4. Using Sharp Utensils or Scouring Pads
Silicone is durable but not indestructible. Using sharp utensils or abrasive scouring pads can scratch or tear the surface, creating places where bacteria can hide and odours can develop.
Tip: Use silicone-friendly utensils and soft sponges to clean your tableware gently.
5. Storing in Confined, Unventilated Spaces
Storing silicone tableware in closed, humid environments can cause mould growth and unpleasant odours, especially if the items aren't fully dry. This can also lead to the absorption of smells from nearby items.
Tip: Always ensure your silicone items are completely dry before storing them in a well-ventilated, cool, dry area.
6. Ignoring Stains
Silicone is stain-resistant but can still develop stains if exposed to highly pigmented foods like tomato sauce or curry for long periods. Ignoring these stains can lead to permanent discolouration.
Tip: Address stains as soon as possible by cleaning the affected area with a baking soda paste or lemon juice and then rinsing thoroughly.
7. Using Dishwasher Tablets with Additives
Dishwasher tablets that contain strong chemicals or added fragrances can leave residues on your silicone tableware, resulting in an unpleasant taste and smell.
Tip: Use mild, fragrance-free dishwasher detergents and the top rack to avoid direct exposure to high heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to clean silicone tableware?
Clean silicone tableware with warm water and mild dish soap, using a soft sponge to scrub away food residues.
How do you care for silicone utensils?
Care for silicone utensils by hand-washing them with mild soap, avoiding harsh chemicals, and storing them in a cool, dry place.
How do you maintain silicone?
Maintain silicone by regularly cleaning it with mild soap, avoiding exposure to direct heat, and storing it away from strong-smelling items.
What kind of soap do you use on silicone plates?
Use mild, fragrance-free dish soap to clean silicone plates. This will prevent lingering odours and maintain the material's quality.
