Tomato stains on bowls, a faint “dishwasher” smell in bibs, bento lids that never quite smell fresh again – silicone can sometimes hold onto colours and odours more than you’d like.
The good news: most stains and smells can be improved with gentle cleaning and a few small habit changes. This guide explains why silicone marks and smells in the first place, how to prevent it, and what to try before you replace a piece.
For everyday washing routines, start with our guide to cleaning silicone feeding gear. This article focuses on troubleshooting stubborn stains and smells.
Quick answers
- Stains: Often from brightly coloured foods (like tomato or curry) and long contact times.
- Smells: Usually from trapped moisture, strong detergents or food residues.
- Fix: Gentle bicarb soaks, good rinsing and thorough drying help most pieces.
Why silicone gets stained or smelly
Food colours and oils
Strong colours and oils, especially from tomato-based sauces, curries, berries and some food colourings, can gradually tint silicone if they sit for a long time.
Detergent and soap film
Using too much detergent or not rinsing well can leave a thin film on silicone bowls, plates, bento lids and bibs. Over time, this can trap odours and make pieces feel slightly greasy.
Trapped moisture
Closing bento lids or stacking bowls before they’re completely dry can trap moisture inside. This is one of the most common reasons silicone starts to smell “off”.
Hot dishwashers and long cycles
Very hot, long dishwasher cycles can sometimes set stains or smells in more deeply, especially if food was left on for a while before washing.
How to prevent stains & smells in the first place
- Rinse sooner: scrape and rinse bowls, plates and bento boxes soon after meals, especially after tomato or curry.
- Use mild detergent: a small amount is usually enough; rinse well until there are no suds left.
- Let pieces dry fully: air dry bibs, bowls, bento bases and lids completely before storing or closing.
- Alternate pieces: rotate between two bowls/plates so one can dry fully while you use the other.
For daily cleaning steps, see our silicone feeding gear cleaning guide.
Gentle stain removal for silicone
Stains often fade with time and regular washing, but if they’re bothering you, try this gentle approach:
- Wash first: start with a normal wash in warm, soapy water to remove any surface food and oils.
- Bicarb paste: make a paste with bicarb soda and a little water. Gently smooth it over stained areas of bowls, bento lids, bib pockets or placemats.
- Rest: leave the paste on for 15–20 minutes.
- Rinse: rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe away any remaining paste with a soft cloth.
- Air dry in light: let pieces dry in a bright spot. Some families find indirect sunlight helps stains fade more over time.
Repeat occasionally rather than scrubbing aggressively – it’s better for the surface of the silicone.
Fixing silicone smells
If bowls, bento lids or bibs have a lingering smell even after normal washing:
- Do a bicarb soak: fill a sink or tub with warm water and stir in a few tablespoons of bicarb soda until dissolved.
- Soak: submerge silicone pieces (bowls, bento lids, bibs, placemats) and leave to soak for 20–30 minutes.
- Rinse well: rinse each piece under clean water to remove the bicarb solution.
- Air dry fully: dry on a rack or clean towel in a well-ventilated area. Let surfaces dry completely before stacking or closing lids.
Most light smells improve after one or two soaks combined with better rinsing and drying habits.
What to avoid on silicone
- Harsh chemicals: avoid bleach, oven cleaner or very strong chemicals on baby feeding gear.
- Metal scourers: these can scratch silicone, making it harder to clean next time.
- Very high heat: follow the temperature limits on your care label; extra-high heat can shorten the life of silicone.
When it may be time to replace pieces
Even with good care, silicone won’t last forever. Consider replacing bowls, bento lids, bibs or placemats if you notice:
- Cracks, cuts or tears in the silicone.
- Loose or damaged seals on bento lids that affect how they close.
- Strong odours that don’t improve after several deep cleans and good drying.
- Surface changes that feel sticky, tacky or rough despite gentle cleaning.
For everyday baby feeding, it’s okay to lean on pieces you feel fully comfortable using.
How this fits into your mealtime setup
Stain and smell care is just one part of your overall mealtime routine:
- Use a silicone feeding set at home for daily meals.
- Keep a silicone bento box for daycare, outings and grandparents.
- Protect your highchair tray with a fitted silicone placemat if you use the Ikea Antilop.
For sizes and setups, see our bib, bowl & bento size guide and daycare feeding pack list (AU).
Recommended mealtime pieces
For more help building a calm, matching setup for home, daycare and outings, visit our Silicone Mealtime Guide (AU) and our cleaning guide.