In recent years, silicone products like baking sheets, spatulas, and pot holders have become kitchen staples. Their flexibility, heat resistance, and nonstick properties make them ideal for various cooking tasks. However, there’s an ongoing debate about the best way to clean silicone – should you hand wash, toss in the dishwasher, or avoid water altogether?
Many manufacturers explicitly state that silicone products are not dishwasher safe. The increased heat and harsh detergents can cause the material to warp, discolor, and degrade over time. However, many people report tossing silicone in the dishwasher without noticeable damage.
So who’s right?
Can you safely wash silicone in the dishwasher or not?
The answer is not so black and white. While the dishwasher is hard on silicone, you can take action to reduce wear and tear.
Follow these five tips to wash your silicone products safely, whether by hand or machine.
Trick 1: Scrape Off Debris Before Washing
Whether hand washing or using the dishwasher, always start by scraping off any stuck-on debris from silicone products. Silicone’s porous texture traps greasy residues that bake into complex, crusty messes when left to dry. Use a soft spatula or brush under running water to remove chunks and loosen built-up grime before washing. Pay extra attention to engraved crevices and details where food gunk loves to lodge.
Thoroughly pre-rinsing silicone is crucial to make the actual washing more accessible and practical, whether done by hand or machine. The cleaner silicone is before washing, the gentler the wash process can be. Getting silicone as gunk-free as possible pre-wash allows it to go in the dishwasher more efficiently since the machine won’t have to blast away tons of caked-on crud. Just a quick, gentle cycle will then suffice for lightly soiled silicone.
So, how can silicone go in the dishwasher easily? Thorough scraping and pre-rinsing remove built-up debris before loading so the dishwasher doesn’t have to work as hard to clean it.
Trick 2: Use Gentle Dish Soap
Harsh detergents designed for hardcore grease-cutting can be too intense for silicone. The additives that help bust through burnt-on food can also degrade silicone polymers over repeated washings.
Choose a mild soap without additives whenever possible. Liquid dish soap formulated for hand-washing dishes is ideal. Avoid dishwasher detergents and soaps containing citrus oils or “antibacterial” ingredients.
Aim for pH-neutral or mild alkaline soaps in the 8-10 pH range. Acidic soaps below pH 7 can dull silicone surfaces faster. Wash thoroughly with a soft sponge or brush to lift debris without scrubbing too hard.
Trick 3: Wash by Hand for Light Cleaning
Not every mess requires machine washing. Hand washing is gentler on silicone for light cleaning items that are just lightly soiled.
Fill your sink with warm water and a small squirt of mild soap. Let the silicone soak for a few minutes to loosen any dried bits. Use a soft dishcloth, sponge, or brush to clean the surface gently. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water, then allow the silicone to air dry. Lay it on a clean dish towel rather than drying it with harsh paper towels. Repeat this process as needed for routine cleaning.
Trick 4: Use the Top Rack of Your Dishwasher
Harsh jets of hot water and strong detergents make the dishwasher’s bottom rack too intense for silicone. However, the top rack provides a gentle cleaning for lightly soiled items.
Place your silicone items on the top rack towards the back. Make sure no parts are touching the heating element. Choose a low-temperature setting – never higher than 140°F.
Avoid the heat drying cycle and let items air dry instead. Remove silicone pieces immediately when the cycle ends; don’t let them sit in the hot machine.
Washing on the top rack just a few times a month is unlikely to damage quality silicone. But frequent machine washing will shorten its lifespan.
Trick 5: Disinfect with Heat, Not Chemicals
Silicone’s heat resistance makes it easy to sanitize without chemicals. Boiling water, microwaves, and ovens can all kill germs and bacteria quickly and safely:
- Microwave silicone kitchenware for 1-2 minutes on high. Handles and other metal parts must be removed.
- Place silicone in a 200°F oven for 10 minutes. Metal needs to be removed.
- Boil solid silicone pieces like bottle nipples and pacifiers for 5 minutes.
- Soak silicone in boiling, soapy water for at least 1 minute.
Let the silicone cool completely before handling. Use this heat technique between regular washings to keep your products sanitary.
Final Thoughts
Silicone has its advantages but requires some special care when cleaning. Following these tricks can help you wash silicone safely and maximize its lifespan.
Scrape off debris, use gentle soap, wash by hand for light cleaning, utilize the dishwasher’s top rack, and disinfect with heat instead of harsh chemicals. With the proper techniques, you can enjoy silicone’s benefits for years.
