Part of my Baking Basicsseries: Discover my two favorite techniques for cleaning silicone mats to remove greasy residue, as well as advice for keeping your mats in good condition so you may use them for a long time!

You see that? Thats a pretty gross silicone mat.

Because I use my silicone mats for so many various activities, it’s inevitable that they’ll accumulate residue and need a thorough cleaning over time. They assist me in the preparation of cookies, galettes, biscuits, bark, pizza, and pastries, among other things.

They’ve been quite worn up over the years (accidental scratches, stains, signs of when a cat attempts to nibble on its corner, etc.), and I could definitely use a new one to replace the old one.

But, in the meanwhile, I prefer to utilize one of the cleaning methods listed below to maintain them as clean as possible.

Cleaning your silicone mat in the dishwasher

This is my personal favorite way since it needs almost little work on my side, and I am all about putting in as little effort as possible.

1. Roll your silicone mat loosely and lay it on the top rack.
2. Fill the dishwasher with your regular dirty dishes and run a normal cycle.

That’s all. They should be much less greasy, if not fully oil-free.

Cleaning your silicone mat with lemon juice and baking soda

1. In the sink, place your silicone mat flat. I prefer to put it on top of a baking sheet to help confine the cleaning liquid and clean around the perimeter.
2. Make a paste with half a lemon juice and as much baking soda as you need. It will bubble and fizzle a little, which is a good thing!
3. Rub the paste all over the mat while wearing rubber gloves. Allow for a 20-minute resting period.
4. Scrub it well with the rubber glove or sponge (paying special attention to the more stubbly stained regions). Rinse with hot water and repeat on the opposite side if necessary.
5. Let dry on a drying rack or pat dry with a towel.

Just look at that before and after!

How to keep your silicone mats in good shape

Maintain the following routines to ensure that your silicone mats endure a long time:

After using your baking mats, give them a thorough scrub with soap and water and let them dry on a drying rack or pat dry with a towel.

To store mats, lay them flat or wrap them up. They should never be folded or creased since it will destroy them.

Do not cut meals while on top of the mat (for example, slicing a pizza or cutting into fish). Mats will be ruined by cuts and rips.

It varies on the brand, but in general, you should not use them in ovens that are hotter than 450F.

They may darken and stain with time, but they will still be effective. I’ve kept the mats in these photos for nearly 7 years at the time of writing, and they’re still as good as they were on day one!

Just goes to show you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

I hope this was helpful! Is there anything more I should have spoken regarding this topic? Please let me know in the comments section below.

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