How to Clean Silpat : 7 Easy DIY Methods

Silpat is a reusable, non-stick silicone mat that can replace parchment paper or aluminum foil. We can prepare potatoes, cookies, bagels, scones, fish, chicken, granola, candied nuts with Silpat mats.

In the long run, reusable materials like Silpat mats will save you money. Using and storing them is convenient, so they make great home appliances. Rollable mats reduce waste, are highly versatile, and are incredibly easy to store. Depending on your needs, you can choose different sizes of Silpats.

You often find that after a while, your silicone baking mat will become filthy and greasy as they become accustomed to using, resulting in fat deposits that become almost impossible to remove.

Silicon molecules are the ones to blame for the fact that it becomes greasy with prolonged use.

Silicone Baking mat molecules expand in size when heated to absorb some oil and fats. For example, if you bake butter cookies, these molecules absorb butter fats.

With repeated use, grease and fat would accumulate on the silicone baking mat surface, accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

How to Clean Silpat in Simple Methods?

Therefore, when your Silpats become grimy, greasy, and have unpleasant smells, you must wash them immediately. Thankfully, Silpat cleaning is an easy process.

Our blog will cover this topic in-depth, providing time-proven steps to how to clean Silpat.

method 1: Use of Dishwasher

Use of Dishwasher

In a dishwasher, dishes are cleaned with the power of water. During the heating process, detergent-infused water is sprayed over the dirty dishes and drained. Its silicone composition makes Silpat flexible and durable under the dishwasher's force.

You should use this method only after baking because the dishwasher is mainly used to wash out the dirty spots. It might be necessary to scrub your mat with a brush if it has been soiled and greasy for some time. So, the steps are:

  • Place the mat in the top compartment of the dishwasher.
  • Make sure the dishwasher is running.
  • Your Silpat mat is now clean and non-stick.

This procedure will significantly reduce or eliminate the feeling of an oily surface. You might remove some oil residue by using one of the other methods.

Silpat's makers recommend you use cleaning solutions with a pH no higher than 7. So, keep that in mind in using any kind of detergent or other cleaners.

Method 2: Use of Lemon Juice

Use of Lemon Juice

While detergent is effective, it is harmful to your skin over time. Lemon juice is a more natural solution and has both the properties of being refreshing and oil-fighting. Due to its high citric acid content, you can use it to wash clothes, dishes, and pots. In addition to removing unpleasant stains, it is also an effective way to counteract odors. Lemon juice is perhaps the best natural detergent you can have. For Silpat mats, here is what you need to do:

  • Step 1: Boil the water.
  • Step 2: Squeeze one lemon into the water.
  • Step 3: Soak the silicone bakeware in for 10 minutes.
  • Step 4: Scrub the mat with a kitchen sponge.
  • Step 5: Air dry the mat.
  • Step 6: Re-do all the steps at your discretion.

Method 3: Use of Baking Soda

Use of Baking Soda

Baking Soda also has the property of cleaning inorganic substances. It is the cleaning powerhouse behind white vinegar, along with borax. Baking soda will effectively eliminate bad smells and stains. It can also be preferred if you want something less acidic. For Silpat baking mat, these are the following steps:

  • Step 1: Using a hot water bath, rinse the baking pan well.
  • Step 2: Turn the water off.
  • Step 3: Sprinkle two to four teaspoons of baking soda liberally onto the baking sheet.
  • Step 4: Wearing kitchen gloves, rub the baking soda and residual water droplets together to create a paste, mainly concentrating on the tough stains.
  • Step 5: Use a scrub brush to scrub the material vigorously. Afterward, set it aside for 15 to 25 minutes so it can soak up the baking soda.
  • Step 6: Dip the Silpat mat into boiling water in order to dissolve all of the baking soda on it.
  • Step 7: You can repeat the process if you still notice the smell or tough stain.
  • Step 8: Air dry your Silpat mat.

Method 4: Use of Super-Hot Water & High-Performance Liquid Soap

Use of Super-Hot Water and High-Performance Liquid Soap

An alternative way of cleaning your Silpat is to use high-performance grease-fighting liquid soap. The best part is how convenient it is to wash dishes while you clean the Silpat mats.

My go-to method is to use strong dish soap to fight grease. The steps are as follows.

  • Step 1: Take mats and soak them in scalding water.
  • Step 2: Add a few squirts of high-performance grease-fighting liquid soap on the mat.
  • Step 3: Soak Silpat mats for 20 minutes. It's best to use soap designed to combat tough stains rather than natural ones.
  • Step 4: Wear kitchen gloves and scrub your Silpat mat under the water with a sponge or towel. Scrub the Silpat moderately.
  • Step 5: Dry your mat on a shelf.
  • Step 6: If the stains are pretty bad, repeat this process for the best outcome.

Method 5: Use of an Oven

A convenient and effective way to clean Silpat is to use the oven. For example, to boil the water in a Silpat, you can put it in the oven for approximately an hour. After that, you can rinse it with dishwashing soap and water.

Method 6: Use of Lye

Lye is a powerful caustic substance used in soapmaking, drain unclogging, and food cures. Despite this, since it is such a powerful chemical, I only recommend using it when you have highly stuck-on fat residue on your baking mats. Here are the steps.

  • Step 1: Mix one tablespoon of lye water with four cups of hot water
  • Step 2: Let the Silpat mat immerse for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Step 3: To remove the grime, rinse it in tepid water.
  • Step 4: Dry your Silpat mat.

Method 7: Use of Alkaline

Alkaline is another synthesized product for highly marred mats. The cleaner is a liquid solution intended to eliminate grease. The Alkaline cleaner I use to clean dirty mats works excellent.

  • Step 1: Coat the cooking mats with Alkaline.
  • Step 2: Scrub the mat moderately with a brush.
  • Step 3: Rinse with water everything that is acidic.
  • Step 4: Dry the Silpat mat by airing it out.

Tip: Always clean Silpat Mats while they are Still Warm

Always clean Silpat Mats while they are Still Warm

The cleaning of the mats while hot is essential (no matter which solution you use). This process is because silicone molecules expand when heated, which is also why they become greasy in the first place, as they absorb the oil from whatever you're baking or roasting in the hot oven. So, it would make more sense to heat them and remove the trapped grease that way before cleaning. Put on your heavy-duty kitchen gloves as well, because you'll want to use hot water, not just warm.

Conclusion

For years, Silpat mats have been the go-to for people who enjoy baking and cooking. They are an excellent choice in the kitchen, as they can simplify the cooking process and reduce the amount of time spent scrubbing.

Cleaning Silpat mats are generally quite straightforward, except when smells and dirt accumulate. You can get your silicone baking mats clean with a few simple methods so that you can enjoy them for a long time.