How To Remove Smells From Silicone: 5 Methods

Silicone cookware is a kitchen MVP. It is non-stick, dishwasher safe, affordable, and durable. However, it has one fatal flaw: it absorbs odors like a sponge.

You might notice your silicone ice trays smell like freezer burn or your favorite spatula holds onto the ghost of garlic past. It changes the flavor of your food and makes opening the cupboard unpleasant.

Don’t toss your gear just yet. We will show you how to remove smells from silicone and get your kitchen smelling fresh again. These five methods take less than an hour.

How To Remove Smells From Silicone

The first step is a simple deep clean. A quality grease-fighting dish soap cuts through the residue that traps smells. This method works best for general food odors or that chemical “new product” scent.

• Time: About one hour.
• Difficulty: Easy.

What You’ll Need

Gather these supplies before you start:

• Dish soap (grease-fighting formula).
• Non-abrasive sponge.
• Microfiber cloth.
• Sink or large basin.
• Rubber gloves.

1. Fill the Sink

Fill your sink with the hottest water possible and add a generous squirt of dish soap. Agitate the water to create suds.

2. Soak the Silicone

Submerge your silicone items completely. Let them soak for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour for stronger smells.

3. Scrub

Scrub the silicone gently with a non-abrasive sponge. Focus on corners and crevices where oils might linger.

4. Rinse

Rinse the items thoroughly under hot running water until no soap suds remain.

5. Dry

Dry the pieces immediately with a microfiber cloth. Air drying can sometimes leave water spots or allow new odors to settle.

Other Ways To Get Smells Out of Silicone

If soap and water didn’t kick the stink, you need stronger measures. Silicone is porous when heated, meaning smells get trapped deep inside. We have four advanced methods to tackle stubborn odors.

Note: These methods are for cookware and utensils. Do not use these on silicone sealants or caulking.

In the Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is a powerful deodorizer if used correctly. This method effectively removes greasy films that hold onto smells.

1. Check the label: Confirm your item is dishwasher safe. Most silicone is, but verify with the manufacturer to avoid melting.
2. Load correctly: Place silicone items on the top rack. The bottom rack gets too hot and sits too close to the heating element.
3. Separate items: Keep sharp objects like knives away from silicone to prevent tears.
4. Run the cycle: Use a strong dishwasher detergent and run a sanitizing or high-heat cycle.

In the Oven

Heat is the enemy of trapped odors. Baking your silicone helps the molecules expand and release the bad smells. This is the “gold standard” for fixing smelly ice trays or garlicky baking mats.

1. Preheat: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Clean first: Wash the items with soap and water to remove any stuck-on food.
3. Bake: Place the clean silicone pieces on a baking sheet and put them in the oven.
4. Wait: Bake for 20 minutes.
5. Sniff test: Carefully remove the tray and smell the silicone (don’t burn your nose). If the odor persists, bake for another 10 minutes.
6. Wash again: Once the smell is gone and the items cool down, wash and dry them one last time.

By Boiling the Silicone

Boiling is a quick alternative to the oven method. It creates high heat to kill bacteria and expand the silicone pores without drying out the material. This is perfect for Instant Pot rings or bottle gaskets.

1. Boil water: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
2. Submerge: Drop your silicone items into the water carefully.
3. Cook: Let them boil for three to five minutes.
4. Dry: Remove the items with tongs and let them air dry completely.

With Vinegar and Baking Soda

Baking soda absorbs odors, while vinegar kills bacteria and cuts grease. Together, they are a deodorizing powerhouse.

1. Make a paste: Mix baking soda with a tiny bit of water to create a thick paste.
2. Apply: Rub the paste all over the damp silicone item. Let it sit until it dries completely (usually a few hours or overnight).
3. Scrub and rinse: Scrub the dried paste off in the sink and rinse with hot water.
4. Vinegar soak: Fill a bowl with white vinegar. Soaking the item for 30 minutes neutralizes any remaining baking soda and tackles lingering bacteria.
5. Final rinse: Rinse well and dry with a cloth.

Tips for Preventing Odors on Silicone

Prevention is easier than the cure. Follow these habits to keep your baking mats, cups, and trays smelling neutral:

• Clean while hot: Silicone pores are open when the item is hot. Cleaning your baking mats immediately after use prevents oils and smells from getting trapped as the material cools and contracts.
• Skip the abrasives: Steel wool and rough sponges create micro-scratches in silicone. Bacteria and odors love to hide in these scratches. Stick to soft cloths.
• Use sunlight: UV rays are a natural sanitizer. Leave your washed silicone in direct sunlight for a few hours to bleach out stains and neutralize odors naturally.
• Separate sweet and savory: Buy two sets of silicone sealing rings for your pressure cooker. Use one color for curries and savory dishes, and a different color for yogurt or desserts.
• Store correctly: Keep silicone in airtight containers or bags. This prevents it from absorbing ambient smells from the cupboard or freezer.

FAQs

Does Silicone Leak Toxins?

Generally, no. Food-grade silicone is considered chemically stable and non-toxic. However, when heated to extreme temperatures (above 300°F), some studies suggest it may release trace amounts of siloxanes ⁽¹⁾. These amounts are minimal compared to plastics. If you are concerned, verify your cookware is 100% food-grade silicone and lacks plastic fillers.

Why Does Silicone Absorb Smells?

Silicone is a polymer that is permeable to gas and oils. When you heat silicone, the molecules expand, creating space for odor molecules to enter. As the silicone cools, it contracts and traps those odors inside. This is why standard washing often fails to remove the smell; the odor is physically locked inside the material’s structure.

How Do You Get the Freezer Smell Out of Silicone Ice Cube Trays?

The oven method is the most effective cure for freezer burn smells. Bake the empty, clean trays at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. The heat forces the trapped volatile organic compounds (the “freezer smell”) to evaporate out of the silicone. If your trays are not oven-safe, use the baking soda and vinegar paste method instead.

How Do You Deodorize an Instant Pot Sealing Ring?

Pressure cooker rings are notorious for smelling like last night’s dinner. Place the ring in the dishwasher on the top rack for a high-heat cycle. Alternatively, soak the ring in a mixture of warm water and one cup of white vinegar for an hour, then let it air dry in direct sunlight.

No More Smelly Silicone

Silicone is fantastic for modern cooking, but nobody wants their ice water to taste like lasagna. Because silicone is porous, it grabs onto strong odors easily.

Luckily, you don’t have to live with the stink. Whether you choose a simple vinegar soak, a dishwasher cycle, or the high-heat oven method, you can restore your cookware in under an hour.

Always double-check your manufacturer’s instructions before applying high heat, and try to clean spills while the item is still warm to prevent odors from setting in the first place.