Silicone baking mats are reusable and non-stick, but they can develop a greasy, sticky feel over time that normal dish soap doesn't fully remove. Here's how to clean them properly.
Regular Cleaning
- Allow the mat to cool completely after baking
- Rinse under warm water to remove loose crumbs
- Apply dish soap directly to the mat and scrub with a soft sponge — avoid abrasive scrubbers that can damage the surface
- Rinse thoroughly — silicone holds soap, so rinse longer than you think is necessary
- Hang or lay flat to air dry — silicone can go in the dishwasher on the top rack but hand washing is gentler
When Mats Stay Greasy After Washing
Greasy silicone is a common problem — dish soap alone often can't cut the baked-in oil. Two methods that work:
Baking soda scrub: Sprinkle baking soda generously over the wet mat. Scrub with a damp sponge in circular motions — the baking soda is mildly abrasive and absorbs oil. Rinse well.
Baking in the oven: Place the mat in a 190°C (375°F) oven for 10 minutes. The heat causes absorbed oils to migrate to the surface. Remove, let cool slightly, then wash immediately with hot water and dish soap while the oils are still fluid. This works remarkably well for mats that have been greasy for a long time.
Removing Stains
Turmeric, tomato, and berry stains can discolour silicone. Apply a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, leave for 30 minutes, scrub, and rinse. Placing the mat in direct sunlight for a few hours also helps fade stains — UV naturally bleaches silicone.
Tips
- Do not use cooking sprays on silicone mats — they cause sticky residue build-up that is very hard to remove
- Silicone absorbs odours — if the mat smells of previous bakes, the baking soda treatment above removes odours too
- Store flat or loosely rolled — creasing damages the mat over time
- Replace mats that are discoloured through the full thickness, heavily scratched, or have an off smell that doesn't wash out