The first time we buy a silicone cooking utensil, we are in doubt as to whether they can be washed the same as the others or if we need to do a special treatment to maintain silicone conditions.
The good news is that cleaning silicone is a really simple task and in this post, we are going to reveal some of the tricks to make sure that everything is perfect after cooking.
So, you can now buy your new silicone utensils against total tranquility and take full advantage of them. And it is that if they are characterized by something is to have a long useful life, especially if we do a proper maintenance every time we use them.
Also, it must be said that the vast majority of these silicone cooking utensils are dishwasher safe. So, both if you want to wash by hand or if you prefer to use the machine, here are a series of indications that I hope they can give to keep them clean and odor-free.
On the other hand, you have to know that there are a good number of silicone utensils that are used to wash dishes, glasses, cups, etc. some of which are really innovative and can be used to facilitate certain slightly more delicate tasks.
Clean silicone kitchen utensils by hand
1. Wash before using
Every time we buy a kitchen utensil whether it is silicone or we should not wash it before using. This is a first hygienic measure with which we ensure that there is no remainder of the manufacturing or storage.
We must also bear in mind that if they have not been used for a long time, it is advisable to wash them equally before using. For example, those silicone molds that you did not dare to use but that now you are going to give them ruthlessly.
2. Use hot water
We know that other advantages of silicone are that it perfectly accounts for extreme temperatures. So a good trick is to put our utensils to soak in very hot water every so often. You can soak them for a good half hour or more and there is no need to add soap.
In any case, after each use, it is advisable to wash them with hot water and a normal dishwasher for best results.
Remember that if you are going to use boiling water, you should use gloves to avoid burning yourself and do it in a safe place so that nobody gets burned.
3. Do it gently
In no case should you use hard scouring pads, much less metallic ones? We should use a soft sponge (the yellow part of a classic scouring pad) or a silicone scouring pad that helps to remove the remains of the cooking gently.
In any case, we want to avoid scratching the surface of our silicone utensils. Although they are very resistant, the continuous washing in the wrong way, will take its toll and will be the cause of their damage before the count.
4. Non-abrasive soap
When cleaning silicone, it is very important to use a non-abrasive soap. Fortunately, most dishwasher soaps take into account that they do not harm the skin of the people who use them. So we can wash our silicone utensils with a normal dishwasher, which we buy in a supermarket.
What we should take into account is that they are diluted soaps and not the concentrated versions. On the other hand, some brands make a foam soap, very effective and softer.
Remember that it is not convenient to soak silicone utensils with these dishwashers. First, because they can degrade the silicone and second because they can be impregnated aromas, especially in the case of molds. This could interfere with subsequent cooking and of course, we are not interested.
A little trick
In case, after many uses, some kind of smell persists in the molds, we can use the old trick of soaking them in water with baking soda and a little lemon. After which, they are washed and left as if they were new, ready for a new service.
Foam dispenser
Another option is to make our own dishwasher foam with a soapy foam dispenser.
All you have to do is fill a dispenser a quarter with soap and the rest with water. This way, when you press the button instead of soap, a softer foam will come out, which will be perfect for cleaning silicone utensils.
6. Let it be clear
We are going to make sure they are well clarified. It is very important to rinse them well so that there are no traces of soap. This soap residue would eventually spoil our silicone utensils.
On the other hand, we do not want soap residues to be mixed with food in any way. Who has never drink a glass of water with a slight “lemon” aftertaste?
7. Dry well
It is also important to dry very well. Once they are well-drained, it is advisable to review them with a clean and dry kitchen cloth before storing them in place.
In this way, we will avoid that the impurities that the water such as lime may have stick to our utensils forming a white layer that we do not want to see.
Finally, once they are clean, shiny and making sure they are very dry, we can store them as it suits us, stacked, shrunk, folded, each one in its place.
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