Silicone feeding sets, bento boxes and highchair placemats are designed to survive daily mess. With a simple routine, you can keep them clean, fresh and stain-free without harsh scrubbing or chemicals.
This guide walks you through a quick everyday clean, an occasional deep clean for stains and smells, and a few things to avoid so your silicone lasts longer.
For a full overview of how feeding sets, bento boxes and placemats work together, see our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU).
Quick checklist
- Rinse or wipe off food soon after meals.
- Wash with warm water and mild detergent (or top-rack dishwasher if allowed).
- Let everything air dry completely before storing.
- Use occasional bicarb soaks for stains or smells.
Step-by-step: daily clean
- Scrape and rinse: remove leftover food with a spatula or soft cloth, then rinse under warm water.
- Wash: use a mild liquid dish detergent and a soft sponge or cloth to clean all surfaces, including bento lids, bib pockets and the underside of placemats.
- Rinse well: rinse until no suds remain. A thin film of detergent can make silicone feel greasy or affect suction.
- Air dry: place pieces on a drying rack or clean towel until fully dry before you stack or store them.
Deep clean for stains and smells
Tomato, curry and long dishwasher cycles can sometimes leave silicone looking cloudy or smelling a bit “off”. A gentle deep clean every now and then helps:
- Make a bicarb soak: fill a sink or tub with warm water and add a few tablespoons of bicarb soda. Stir to dissolve.
- Soak the silicone: submerge bowls, plates, bento lids, bibs and placemats. Leave for 20–30 minutes.
- Light scrub: use a soft sponge to gently scrub any stained areas.
- Rinse and dry: rinse well with clean water, then air dry completely in a well-ventilated spot. Sunlight can also help lift lingering smells.
Cleaning different pieces
Bowls & plates
- Check the base and any suction areas for trapped food or detergent build-up.
- Wash in warm soapy water or on the top rack of the dishwasher (if your care label allows).
- Avoid sharp knives directly on silicone to prevent cuts or rough patches.
Bento boxes
- Separate the lid and base so you can wash around all the edges and seals.
- Rinse soon after use if possible, especially after tomato or oily sauces.
- Let both parts dry fully before closing to help prevent trapped moisture and smells.
Silicone bibs
- Turn bibs inside out to clean the underside and around fastenings.
- Rinse or wipe after meals, then wash with warm soapy water or include them in your normal dishwashing routine.
- Hang to dry so water can drip from the pocket instead of pooling.
Highchair placemats (Ikea Antilop)
- Lift the placemat to wipe underneath as well as the top surface.
- Wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid abrasive pads that could roughen the surface.
- Let the tray and placemat dry fully before putting them back together to keep suction and grip working well.
What to avoid
- Harsh cleaners: avoid bleach, oven cleaner or strong chemicals that can damage silicone.
- Very high heat: follow the temperature guidelines on your care label. Extra-hot washes can shorten the life of silicone.
- Metal scourers: they can scratch silicone and make it harder to clean next time.
When to replace silicone pieces
- Cracks, cuts or tears in bowls, bento lids, bibs or placemats.
- Loose parts, damaged seals or warping that affects how the bento closes.
- Smells or stains that don’t improve after deep cleaning.
When pieces reach this stage, it’s safer and more pleasant to replace them, especially for everyday baby use.
Recommended mealtime pieces
For help choosing how these fit together at home, daycare and outings, see our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU).