How to clean care for silicone products

Deena Bouknight More Content Now

Tuesday Apr 7, 2020 at 12:01 AM

Just 10 years ago or so, silicone was known primarily as a material used to manufacture breast implants. Currently, everything from kitchen gadgets to wedding rings to baby items are made of silicone, which is "something of a hybrid between synthetic rubbers and synthetic plastic polymers," said mindbodygreen.com in January. The malleable, easy to clean, nonstick and stain-resistant attributes of silicone products have contributed to their popularity.

Because some silicone products are not dishwasher-safe (check when purchasing) Kitchn.com's cleaning tips are:• Use a grease-cutting dish detergent and very hot water. • Put heat-safe silicone in a 350 F oven for a few minutes and then submerse in a sink filled with hot water. • Make a thick paste with baking soda, apply to areas with stuck-on grime, let dry, then wash with dish detergent and hot water.

Abrasive sponges and cleaners can damage silicone. "And to prevent greasy buildup in the future, skip the cooking sprays," informed kitchn.com. "You don't really need them because the pan is nonstick already ..."

A December-shared kitchn.com hack for cleaning the silicone ring in an Instant Pot involves adding one-quarter cup of white vinegar and one-quarter cup of lemon juice in a sealable plastic bag with the ring; fill with water and seal. Leave overnight. Rinse. This hack, according to kitchn.com, cleans the ring better than a dishwasher can; also removed are lingering meat smells common on the silicone ring.

Real Simple's hack for the same problem, shared last July, is to fill the cooking insert in an Instant Pot with two cups of vinegar, seal the lid, then select the "Steam" setting for two minutes. Allow the ring to air dry fully before using the pot again.

Silicone baby bottle nipples and pacifiers can be cleaned in hot, soapy water, but mindbodygreen.com recommended replacing them every six to eight weeks. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with vinegar will clean a hand ring; leave in a bowl for 30 minutes or overnight.

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