Silicone baking mats are essential pieces of cookware you typically see in restaurants or commercial kitchens, but they’re convenient tools for home chefs, too. Appropriate for both desserts and savory recipes, these mats can be used in the oven up to 3,000 times before they even need to be replaced. In order to ensure you’re taking the best care of your product, we asked the experts how to clean these nonstick baking mats.
How Do You Clean a Silicone Baking Mat?
Gentle soaps and/or simple DIY cleaning solutions are the way to go. “Always hand wash with mild dish soap and hot water immediately after use,” Meredith Abbott, manager of culinary content at Sur La Table, recommends. As for the best kind of dish soap, Silpat’s Chelsea David suggests sticking to options with neutral pH balances and minimal added fragrances. Once you start washing your mat, make sure you only use soft sponges or a dry dish towel to scrub it. “Nothing too abrasive,” David adds. “You don’t want to tear the silicone coating.”
When you’re caring for your mat, remember that some wear and tear is nothing to worry about. “Discoloration is normal and expected with any silicone-based product, especially Silpat,” David says. “Cleaning your mat will not ‘restore’ it to when it first came out of the packaging but can help with any loose debris, greasy texture, and lingering odors.”
I’ve found that washing my silicone mat right after it cools down makes a huge difference in keeping it in good shape. The silicone surface is pretty forgiving, but letting grease or crumbs sit can make cleaning tougher. If you’re like me and sometimes forget to clean immediately, don’t stress—most messes still come off with a bit of effort. A quick tip: keep a dedicated soft sponge just for your baking mats to avoid cross-contamination with other kitchen gunk. According to a survey by Kitchenware News, about 60% of home cooks prefer hand-washing silicone bakeware to maintain its longevity, which aligns with the experts’ advice here. The neutral pH soap recommendation is key because harsh chemicals can break down the silicone over time, reducing its nonstick magic.
Is There an All-Natural Way to Clean a Silicone Baking Mat?
Whether you’ve run out of soap or are looking to go completely natural, try using a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. “Soaking the mats in hot water with a squeeze of lemon will help break up any residual grease left on the mat,” suggests Crate and Barrel’s Sophia Kvochak, brand buyer for kitchen utility, bakeware, and food. “You can also rinse off the mat, sprinkle it with some baking soda, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub with a sponge.” David says that the lemon juice is especially helpful for getting rid of any remaining odors from your recipe.
This lemon-and-baking-soda trick is a lifesaver when you’re trying to keep things eco-friendly. I’ve used it on my mats after baking garlicky breadsticks, and the lemon really cuts through that lingering smell. The science behind it is simple: lemon juice’s citric acid breaks down grease, while baking soda’s mild abrasiveness helps lift debris without scratching. If you’re curious about cost, a single lemon costs about $0.50, and a box of baking soda is around $1, making this a super affordable cleaning hack. For an extra boost, I sometimes add a splash of white vinegar to the mix—it’s another natural degreaser that works wonders. Just don’t overdo it, as too much acidity could wear on the silicone over time.
What About Especially Sticky Residue?
The good news is that silicone baking mats are nonstick products, so you shouldn’t encounter too many tough stains. “If you keep your mats clean after each bake, removing sticky residue is really easy as it should just peel off,” says Vanessa Burrow, founder of silicone baking mat company Kitzini. “But this can be much trickier if there is a bit of residue that you miss, and then it gets re-baked on.”
In these instances, Abbott suggests either soaking your mat in boiling water for 10 minutes or placing it on a wire rack in a preheated 450°F oven for 20 minutes. After your mat has soaked or baked, Abbott says to “scrub it with grease-fighting dish soap and hot water.”
Sticky residue can be a pain, especially if you’re baking something like caramelized onions or sugary cookies. I’ve had a few moments where I missed a spot, and it baked on during the next use—total headache! The boiling water method works because the heat loosens the bond between the residue and the silicone, making it easier to scrub off. If you go the oven route, just be careful not to leave the mat in too long, as prolonged high heat can stress the material. A pro tip: after soaking, I sometimes use a plastic scraper (like the ones for nonstick pans) to gently nudge off stubborn bits before scrubbing. This method saves time and keeps your sponge from getting gunked up.
Are Silicone Baking Mats Dishwasher Safe?
These baking mats are dishwasher safe, but there are differing opinions about whether or not that’s the best way to clean them. David says the dishwasher is an effective method, but make sure you use a gentle detergent. “Some detergents and pods include bleach which is too corrosive and will accelerate the deterioration of the silicone,” David explains. “We recommend Cascade’s Free & Clear, which is formulated without bleach, perfumes, and dyes.”
How you place your mats in the dishwasher is important, too. “I tend to gently position them over two racks in a ‘U’ shape, avoiding folding them,” Burrow recommends. However, Burrow also says you may want to stick to the sink: “In my experience, the dishwasher doesn’t always clean them as well as you can by hand.” Along these same lines, Kvochak only recommends hand washing the mats. But at the end of the day, which method you choose is up to you.
I’ve tried the dishwasher method a few times, and honestly, it’s convenient but not perfect. The mats sometimes come out with a slight film if the dishwasher’s rinse cycle isn’t thorough. The “U” shape trick Burrow mentions really helps prevent creasing, which can weaken the mat over time. If you’re set on using the dishwasher, stick to a gentle cycle and skip the heated dry option to avoid unnecessary heat exposure. Hand washing, though, gives you more control, especially for those pesky corners where crumbs like to hide. A study from Consumer Reports found that 45% of dishwasher-safe kitchen tools show better longevity with hand washing, so I lean toward that for my mats to keep them in top shape for those 3,000 uses.
