Dry clean: For more serious cleaning needs, dry cleaning is probably your best bet. This includes professional cleaners like those found at home improvement stores. When choosing one, look for something that specifically mentions the removal of oil and grease. Some brands recommend using their products on silicone items before washing. So if you plan to wash your silicone item by hand, try to find out what they recommend first!

Steam clean: You can steam clean your silicone items yourself at home. All you need is a steamer basket (or a bowl) and some hot water. Use a sponge to gently scrub away the grime and mold. Make sure you cover your silicone item completely so nothing gets burned while you steam clean it.

Baking Soda Cleaner: Baking soda is a great cleaner for many things, and silicone is no exception. All you need is baking soda and warm water. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into a container big enough to hold your silicone item. Add enough warm water to create a paste. Dip your silicone item into the paste and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat until your silicone item is clean.

Vinegar Cleaner: Vinegar is another effective cleaning agent for many surfaces. However, when used to clean silicone, it has the potential to damage the silicone. To avoid this, mix equal parts vinegar and water. Use this mixture to clean your silicone item. Be careful not to get any of the vinegar solution on your hands. Rinse with cold water after cleaning.

Salt Water Cleaner: Salt water is another common cleaning agent that works well for many surfaces. If you’re willing to go outside, salt water might be just the thing you need to clean your silicone item. Mix together 3 cups of salt and 2 gallons of water. Then soak your silicone item in the mixture for 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse thoroughly with cold water. Repeat until your silicone item is clean.

Sodium Hydroxide Cleaner: Sodium hydroxide is another chemical cleaner that can be used to clean silicone. It comes in liquid form, so you’ll need to dilute it with water before applying to your silicone item. Follow the same directions as above: mix 3 cups of sodium hydroxide with 2 gallons of water. Apply to your silicone item and let it sit in the mixture for 30 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Bleach Cleaner: Bleach is another popular choice for cleaning silicone. Follow the same directions as above, mixing together 3 cups of bleach with 2 gallons of water. Apply to your silicone item and let it sit in the solution for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Repeat until your silicone item is clean.

Lemon Juice Cleaner: Lemon juice is yet another option for cleaning silicone. Follow the same directions as above, mixing together 3 cups lemon juice with 2 gallons of water. Apply to your silicone item and let it sit in the mixture for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Repeat until your silicone item is clean.

Tea Tree Oil Cleaner: Tea tree oil is another option for cleaning silicone. Follow the same instructions as above, mixing together 3 cups tea tree essential oil with 2 gallons of water. Apply to your silicone item and let it sit in the mixture for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Repeat until your silicone item is clean.

Cleaning Your Silicone Items Without Chemicals: There are a few ways to clean silicone items without chemicals. First, you can run the item under hot water. Second, you can try using a toothbrush with a little bit of olive oil. Third, you can use a damp cloth to wipe away the grime and mold. But there’s still one method that should never be used on silicone—using ammonia. Ammonia can cause permanent discoloration to your silicone item.

How do you clean silicone effectively?

There are several different ways to clean silicone safely and effectively.

The method you choose depends on the type of silicone you have, where you keep it, and how often you use it.

Wash your silicone in warm water with soap or detergent (this is the most effective way).

Use a non-abrasive scrubber, such as a toothbrush, and then rinse the scrubber thoroughly before drying the silicone.

If you don’t want to use a scrubber, you can wipe off the silicone with a damp cloth.

Use a soft, dry brush to gently work out the grime.

You can also use a commercial cleaner with a microfiber cloth.

Some silicone products come with special silicone cleaners, but they usually contain abrasives so they should only be used by people who regularly deal with silicone.

Don’t use bleach or other strong chemicals on silicone unless you read the instructions first.