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    Home » Baking Basics

    How to Clean Your Silicone Mats

    Published: Feb 16, 2020 · Last modified: Nov 9, 2022 by Leslie Kiszka / This post may contain affiliate links.

    How to Clean Your Silicone Mats | Stress Baking
    How to Clean Your Silicone Mats | Stress Baking
    How to Clean Your Silicone Mats | Stress Baking

    Part 7 of my Baking Basics series: Learn my two favorite methods for cleaning silicone mats to remove oily residue, and tips for maintaining your mats so you can use them for a nice long time!

    A dirty silicon mat covered in residue

    You see that? That’s a pretty gross silicone mat.

    I use my silicone mats for so many different things, it’s inevitable that over time they’re going to build up some residue and need a deep clean. They help me make cookies, galettes, biscuits, bark, pizza, pastries and probably many other things I’m not thinking of in this moment.

    They’ve gotten pretty beaten up over the years (accidental scratches, stains, evidence of when a cat tries to chew on its corner, etc.), and I could probably stand to invest in a new one so I can retire the oldest one.

    But in the meantime, I like to use one of the techniques below to freshen them up occasionally to keep them as squeaky clean as possible.

    Cleaning your silicone mat in the dishwasher

    A silicon mat rolled up in the top rack of a dishwasher

    This is my personal favorite method because it requires practically no effort on my part – and I’m all about less effort.

    1. Loosely roll up your silicone mat and place it on the top rack.
    2. Fill the dishwasher with the rest of your usual dirty dishes and run a normal cycle.

    That’s it. They should come out considerably less oily, if not completely oil free.

    Cleaning your silicone mat with lemon juice and baking soda

    1. Lay your silicone mat flat in the sink. I like to place it on top of a baking sheet because it will help contain your cleaning mixture and help clean around the border.
    2. Combine the juice of half a lemon and as much baking soda as you need to form a paste. It’s going to bubble and fizzle a bit, and that’s a good thing!
    3. Wearing rubber gloves, rub the paste all over the mat to cover it. Let sit for 20 minutes.
    4. With the rubber glove or a sponge, give it a good scrub (concentrating on the more stubbly stained areas). Rinse with hot water, then repeat with the other side if needed.
    5. Let dry on a drying rack or pat dry with a towel.
    A silicon mat before and after being cleaned

    Just look at that before and after!

    How to keep your silicone mats in good shape

    To make sure your silicone mats will last you a good, long time, maintain the following habits:

    Always clean your mats after you’ve used them for baking with a good scrub of soap and water, and let dry on a drying rack or pat dry with a towel.

    Lay mats flat or roll them for storage. Never fold or crease them, as it can ruin them.

    Don’t cut foods while on top of the mat (i.e.: slicing a pizza, cutting into fish, etc.) – slices and tears will ruin the mats.

    It depends on what brand you use, but generally speaking you don’t want to use them in ovens for anything that exceeds 450°F.

    A clean silicon mat on a white counter

    Over time, they will discolor and stain, but don’t worry – they’ll still be effective. I’ve had the mats you see in these pictures for about 7 years at the time of writing these, and they’re just as great as they were on day one!

    Just goes to show you shouldn’t just a book silicone mat by its cover ;)

    Product Recommendations

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    Quarter Sheet Silicone Mat

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    Half Sheet Silicone Mat

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    Nonstick Silicone Pastry Mat

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    I hope this helps! Are there any questions about cleaning silicone mats that I didn’t answer? Let me know in the comments below!

    Other content in the Baking Basics series:

    • How to Make a Lemon Twist Garnish
    • How to Store Leftover Champagne
    • How to Make Simple Syrup
    • How To Freeze Cookie Dough
    • What is “stress baking”?
    • How to Make Buttermilk
    • Sprinkles 101: The different types of sprinkles and how to use them
    • How to Ship Cookies in the Mail
    • How to Make Cake Flour
    • Why You Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients Separately
    • How to Make Muffin Liners Out of Parchment Paper
    • Flour 101: How to Use Different Types of Flour
    • What Room Temperature Butter Means (and why it’s important)
    • How to Convert Temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius
    • How to Clean Your Silicone Mats
    • How to Calibrate Your Oven for Better Baking Results
    • Volume Conversions for Baking Recipe Ingredients
    • Baking Pan Conversions Made Easy
    • How to Measure Ingredients for Baking
    • Shelf Life of Common Baking Ingredients
    • How to Store Common Baking Ingredients
    • Introducing the Baking Basics Series
    • Essentials for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
    • Baking Tips: 5 Steps You Should Never Skip
    • How to Store Fresh Fruit
    • 25+ Holiday Baking Tips
    • How to Make Shredded Chicken

    More Baking Basics

    • How to Make a Lemon Twist Garnish
    • How to Store Leftover Champagne
    • How to Make Simple Syrup
    • How To Freeze Cookie Dough
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    About Leslie

    I'm the hot mess behind every recipe you see here! I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with approachable homemade recipes and a little humor, for good measure.

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    1. Tala

      August 15, 2022 at 3:24 pm

      The edges of a baking pan are severely stained, and the rest of it looks fine. I can’t wash off the stains. What do I do? baking soda and lemon didn’t work

      It looks ugly, brown stains on the bright pink. I don’t think I’m buying silicone again. Stainless and barkeeper’s friend are much easier.

      Reply
    2. Corine Harris

      August 02, 2021 at 1:35 am

      I am heartily impressed by your blog and learn more from your article. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I find another blog as like it. If you want to look visit here How to Clean Silicone . It’s also more informative.

      Reply
    3. Erica

      September 16, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      Thanks for the tips! Very helpful!

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        September 17, 2020 at 10:31 am

        Glad you found it helpful!

        Reply
    4. Ohioren

      February 27, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      I recently replaced my silicon mat because I noticed, it was no longer in good shape. There were several patches on it because I cut my veggies on it once in a while when I am in a hurry to get my food ready. I hope I take proper care of it this time around.

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        February 28, 2020 at 9:54 am

        Ahh, now you know better which is great! I hope this one lasts you a nice long time.

        Reply
        • Ohioren

          March 09, 2020 at 1:05 am

          I hope so too. Thanks.

    5. Gail Norden

      February 17, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Going to try the lemon juice and baking soda today (if I stop reading long enough). Then maybe I’ll bake something

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        February 24, 2020 at 7:50 am

        I hope it works out for you!

        Reply

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