How to Clean Silicone With Only Natural Ingredients

Want to know how to clean silicone naturally? We've got all the background, tools and tips you'll need. And, it can be done easily with ingredients you can find in your cupboard.

Silicone is a widely used rubber compound. From kitchen utensils to cars, you can find it everywhere. 

As a polymer, it is similar to plastic in terms of composition. However, the arrangement of the molecules in silicone gives it many unique traits. What makes silicone so attractive is its resistance to extreme environments and temperatures.

If you have silicone products in your home, you’ll need to know how to clean them safely. Here is a quick guide on how to clean silicone with natural ingredients – all of which you can probably find in your cupboard. 

Is Silicone Environmentally Friendly?

To answer this question, you need to look at the main ingredient in silicone: silica. Silica is a naturally-occurring compound in nature. It’s often found in rocks, sand, and gravel. However, while it may be naturally occurring, there are some issues with it. Producing silicone from silica emits a large amount of pollution. Scientists estimate more than 90% of silicone emissions end up in our atmosphere, and studies suggest these emissions can cause negative health effects. Moreover, silicone is not biodegradable. This means it will likely end up in a landfill if it is thrown away.

However, under certain conditions silicone is recyclable and it can also be reused hundreds of times. As a result, we see the EPA is keen to use silicone as an alternative to plastic. So, if you reuse your silicone products, they can be a sustainable option.

How To Clean Silicone With Only Natural Ingredients

With a little help, cleaning silicone should be a breeze. But just in case you’ve got some tough stains to tackle, here’s some backup.

Materials:

• Soft sponge or cloth

Ingredients:

• Some kitchen soap  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup vinegar

Instructions:

1. Begin by taking your silicone piece and placing it in hot water with a little kitchen soap. Leave to soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. Remove from water and wash with a soft sponge or cloth.
3. If the stain persists, put a teaspoon of baking soda and water into a small bowl. Mix until the baking soda becomes a paste. Apply to the stain and leave the baking soda to dry out. This may take some time.
4. When your baking soda is dry, rinse with some hot water. Then add vinegar and hot water to a bowl, and soak your piece in the solution for about 30 minutes.
5. Rinse and leave to dry.

Tips For Cleaning Silicone

It’s important to remember to only use a soft cleaning tool. Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads will damage your silicone products. Also, if you use your silicone for cooking or at high temperatures, there’s a few things to remember:

• Always let your silicone completely dry after cleaning. Don’t put wet silicone under high heat.
• Wash well after each bake to avoid grease build-up.
• Don’t use oil on silicone bakeware. These products already have a non-stick coat. Adding cooking oil will lead to grease build-up.
• Lastly, if you choose a dishwashing liquid with degreasing, this will make your job much easier. 

Read on:

• Spring Cleaning 2022: The Minimalist’s Guide
• Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner: Simple DIY With 2 Ingredients
• Natural Home Remedies for Clogged Drains

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Tags: environment Guide Practical Tips