Table of Contents

• Why Silicone Absorbs Odours (And When to Worry)
• How to Remove Smells from Silicone: Step-by-Step Methods
• Best Way to Clean Silicone Baby Spoons After Every Meal
• Is Silicone Dishwasher Safe? Dishwasher vs. Hand-Wash Efficacy

Last Updated: August 17, 2026

Why Silicone Absorbs Odours (And When to Worry)

Silicone is porous at a microscopic level, trapping food residue and volatile organic compounds over time. Unlike glass or stainless steel, its textured surface absorbs scents from strong-smelling foods like garlic, onion, and fish purees.

For parents starting solids, a silicone spoon smelling of last week's salmon is off-putting but manageable with proper cleaning. Odour retention does not indicate chemical leaching or safety failure. However, persistent smells combined with deep discolouration, tackiness, or visible cracks signal silicone degradation. According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand guidance on food contact materials, food contact items should be inspected regularly for degradation signs. Discard and replace at that point.

Silicone odour absorption occurs when microscopic surface pores trap volatile organic compounds from food, creating persistent smells that survive standard rinsing. This is normal and controllable.

How to Remove Smells from Silicone: Step-by-Step Methods

Different odour types respond to different treatments. Layering methods gives better results than any single approach.

Method 1: White Vinegar Soak

White vinegar is a natural acid that neutralises alkaline odour compounds from many foods.

1. Fill a bowl with equal parts white vinegar and hot water.
2. Submerge the silicone item completely.
3. Soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours for stubborn smells.
4. Rinse thoroughly under running hot water.
5. Air dry fully before storing.

Method 2: Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is particularly effective on fatty or oily food residue.

1. Mix baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste.
2. Apply directly to the silicone surface and work in with a soft brush.
3. Leave for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse well and air dry.

Method 3: Boiling Water

Heat opens the porous material slightly, helping release trapped volatile organic compounds.

1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Submerge the silicone item for 3-5 minutes.
3. Remove carefully and allow to cool.
4. Air dry completely, ideally in sunlight for mild bleaching and deodorising effect.

Method 4: Degreasing Soap Scrub

For silicone smelling of fat or cooking oil, degreasing soap cuts through residue buildup that milder soaps miss. According to NSW Health guidance on cleaning and hygiene for infant feeding equipment, all infant feeding equipment should be cleaned thoroughly after each use, with particular attention to removing food residue before sterilising.

Best Way to Clean Silicone Baby Spoons After Every Meal

The best way to clean silicone baby spoons after every meal is to rinse immediately after use, wash with warm soapy water, and air dry completely. This prevents food residue from setting into the porous surface, the primary cause of persistent odours.

SHOP Feeding Sets →

Most odour problems develop because food is left to dry on the surface before washing. Purees containing tomato, carrot, or fish are the worst offenders. Once dried, they bond firmly to silicone and require significantly more effort to remove.

Follow this routine after every feed:

1. Rinse the spoon under hot running water immediately after the meal.
2. Apply dish soap and scrub with a soft brush, paying attention to grooves or texture.
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
4. Stand upright or hang to air dry; do not stack wet silicone items, as trapped moisture promotes odour development.

Designate specific silicone items for baby use only and store them separately from general kitchen silicone to avoid aroma transfer. At Bub and Co, the silicone feeding sets feature smooth, easy-clean surfaces that minimise residue buildup. The My First Solid Bundle includes BPA-free, PVC-free silicone spoons and bowls built to withstand daily hot water cleaning without degrading.

Is Silicone Dishwasher Safe? Dishwasher vs. Hand-Wash Efficacy

Food-grade silicone is generally dishwasher safe, but the dishwasher is not always the most effective method for removing odours. Dishwashers clean through hot water, detergent, and mechanical action, but standard cycles do not always reach temperatures high enough to fully open silicone's porous structure and release embedded volatile organic compounds. Hand-washing with dedicated scrubbing, followed by a vinegar soak or boiling, consistently outperforms dishwasher cycles for odour removal.

The practical recommendation:

• Daily cleaning: Dishwasher is fine for standard food residue.
• Odour treatment: Hand-wash with degreasing soap, then follow with a vinegar soak or boiling water method.
• Weekly deep clean: Boil silicone items for 3-5 minutes to reset the surface.

As noted in guidance on sterilising baby feeding equipment from the Raising Children Network, boiling is a recommended sterilisation method for silicone feeding items under 12 months, which conveniently doubles as an effective deodorising technique.

Always store silicone items completely dry and away from strong-smelling foods. Silicone left in closed containers alongside onions or spices will absorb ambient aromas over time, even without direct contact.

Persistent silicone odours are almost always preventable with consistent cleaning habits and the right methods. The Bub and Co Ultimate Set and Mini Bub Set offer BPA-free, phthalate-free silicone designed for easy kitchen maintenance, holding up to daily hot water cleaning and occasional deep cleans without degrading. Shop Bub and Co feeding sets and give mealtime the straightforward, safe foundation it deserves.

This article was written using GrandRanker