Introduction:
Silicone molds are fun to use to create all sorts of crafts in multiple designs. They are not everlasting and eventually wear out. So if you want to increase their life span, it’s necessary to clean them properly after each use. Be sure that there isn’t any residue of fondant, chocolate, resin, or clay in the cavities of your molds. Doing so will increase the life of your mold and save a lot of money in the long run.
Cleaning silicone molds properly also enhances the durability and flexibility of molds. How to clean silicone molds? In this article, we will instruct you on this.
How often should you clean your silicone molds?
The direct and simple answer is to clean your silicone molds after every use. It will become more challenging if you don’t clean it immediately after each use. The dirt and staining may also arise due to not cleaning on time. There is also an unwanted smell that is difficult to get rid of.
What items do you need to clean a silicone mold properly?
To adopt the best way to clean silicone molds, you need the following items to clean them properly. Ensure these items are used per the requirements mentioned in this article.
- A dish soap
- A bottle of white vinegar
- Some baking soda
- A soft sponge
- A sink
- Microfiber cloth
How to clean silicone molds for the very first time?
To answer how to clean silicone resin molds, let’s dig into the details. When you purchase silicone molds, washing them before use is necessary. Because there are some leftover particles over the new molds, which are produced during the manufacturing process. You can check them by moving your fingers over the surface, and you can feel a powdery residue over the surface.
These powdery remains can disrupt the mold’s non-stick properties. Hence, it’s necessary to pre-clean the mold before baking.
There are two methods to clean your silicone molds the first time:
Method 1: Put the silicone mold in vinegar
Vinegar will disinfect the silicone molds when it’s put inside them. Vinegar additionally removes the distinctive smell of newly bought things:
Steps:
- Place white distilled vinegar in the appropriate container.
- Now put the molds in vinegar for about 30 minutes.
- Take out the mold. Repeat the process if it’s necessary.
- Wash the mold with dishwashing soap and mildly warm water.
- In the end, dry the molds with the help of a microfiber cloth.
Method 2: Put the molds in the baking soda
Clean the silicone molds with baking soda. Baking soda will remove all unwanted materials from the surface of silicone molds and make them ready for use.
Steps:
- Fill the container with hot water.
- Put the baking soda in the water.
- Now insert your mold in the water and mix them for about an hour.
- Then wash off the baking soda residue with warm water.
- Use moderately warm water along with dishwashing soap for additional mold cleaning.
- Remove it completely.
- In the last step, dry the molds using a microfiber towel.
How to clean silicone molds regularly daily cleaning?
You can easily clean silicone molds with warm water and quality dish soap. The process is outlined below for regular-daily cleaning stains.
- Put the silicone mold in warm water to eliminate any leftover food particles. If it doesn’t work well, put the mold in hot water for a few minutes.
- With the help of some dish soap, scrub it with a soft sponge. Make sure to clean all nooks and narrow places.
- Put the silicone in a solution of hot water and dish soap if there is still residue after this procedure.
- Wash completely using warm water.
- In the end, dry the baking mold with a towel using a soft microfiber cloth.
How to remove tough stains from silicone molds?
1. Heat the silicone molds in the oven
Heating in the oven can help you clean your silicone molds. This method is very useful for removing stains that are otherwise difficult to remove.
Apply this method in the following sequence:
- Preheat your oven to the temperature of 350°F (177°C).
- Now put the silicone molds inside for about 10 minutes.
- Then mix hot water, dishwashing soap, and baking soda.
- At this stage, take the mold out of the oven with the help of heat-resistant gloves and put it in the solution for a few minutes.
- Scrub the surface very carefully until every stain is gone.
- In the end, wash the mold and dry it.
2. Clean with baking soda paste
You can remove sticky and greasy surfaces with baking soda easily and enhance the productivity of your silicone molds.
Apply the following steps to do the job:
- Make a paste of baking soda by mixing baking soda with water.
- Apply this paste to the mold and slowly rub it.
- Now let it dry throughout the surface of the mold. It takes about an hour.
- Wash the mold with warm water.
- In the end, dry the mold with the appropriate cloth.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Avoid coarse elements that may scratch the outer layer. For instance, use a toothbrush or a brush with stiff bristles to clean your silicone. They will damage the molds and leave permanent micro scratches.
- Don’t use solvents for your mold cleaning. The solvent can damage the silicone molds and degrade them quicker than you expect.
- Never use kitchen towels to wipe silicone mold. This may lead to depositing fabric particles over the molds.
- Never dry our silicone molds over the gas stove or any other hot surfaces. Avoid placing it in direct UV light that harms the silicone by drying it out.
- Please avoid the use of cooking sprays, or use them very little. The cooking sprays cause unwanted greasy buildup in silicone molds, as molds are already non-sticky.
- When you are drying the mold after washing, don’t turn it inside out quickly. Let them dry, preserving their original shape.
Conclusion:
Silicone molds give the best if you take care of it properly. Proper cleaning of them is necessary to maintain their originality and use them efficiently. Try to clean them after every use and also use methods to remove greasy surfaces and hard stains to prolong their lives. By doing so, you are increasing the life span of silicone molds. How to wash silicone molds? Hopefully, this guide has answered your many queries, including how to stop silicone from being sticky.