Does silicone stain? Yes, it can. Silicone baby feeding gear is brilliant until a bowl or bottle comes out of the dishwasher looking orange. Tomato sauce, carrot puree, beetroot, turmeric. They all leave their mark. Add a faint rubbery smell that lingers after washing and it starts to feel like nothing is ever truly clean. The good news is that most stains and smells are fixable. Here is what is actually happening and what to do about it.
Part of our complete guide to silicone baby feeding sets.
Why Does Silicone Stain?
Silicone is porous at a microscopic level. Highly pigmented foods like tomato, carrot, beetroot and turmeric push colour into those tiny surface pores during heating or prolonged contact. The dishwasher heat bakes that pigment in further. Light-coloured silicone shows it most. Darker shades hide it better, which is worth keeping in mind when you shop.
This does not mean the product is dirty or damaged. It is a cosmetic issue. The silicone itself remains food-safe. If you want to read more about silicone safety for babies, the full guide on silicone safety for babies covers what the research actually says.
How to Remove Stains from Silicone
Most silicone stains respond well to one of these methods. Start with the gentlest and work up from there.
Dish Soap and Baking Soda Paste
Mix a small amount of dish soap with baking soda to form a thick paste. Scrub it into the stained area with a soft brush or sponge. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. This works well on mild tomato and carrot staining.
Sunlight Bleaching
Direct sunlight is surprisingly effective on silicone stains. After washing, place the item outside in full sun for a few hours. UV exposure naturally breaks down the pigment. This works best on orange and yellow food stains and costs nothing.
Baking Soda Soak
For stubborn staining, dissolve two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of warm water. Submerge the silicone piece and leave it for several hours or overnight. Scrub and rinse well afterwards.
Hydrogen Peroxide
A 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution (available from the pharmacy) can lift deep staining. Soak the item for up to an hour, then rinse thoroughly. Do not use this on teats or anything that sits against a baby's mouth without rinsing multiple times and checking the manufacturer's care guide first.
Why Does Silicone Smell?
A faint rubbery or plastic-like smell from brand new silicone is normal. It usually fades after the first few washes. If the smell persists or returns after washing, it is often caused by one of the following.
- Residual food oils absorbed into the surface pores
- Inadequate rinsing after washing, leaving soap trapped inside
- Dishwasher detergent residue, especially with fragrance-heavy tablets
- Storing the item while still damp, which allows odour to develop
How to Remove Smell from Silicone
The most effective fix for silicone odour is a baking soda soak. Fill a bowl with warm water, add two tablespoons of baking soda, and leave the silicone piece submerged for several hours. Rinse well and air dry completely before storing.
For a new item smell, boiling works well. Place the silicone piece in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. This helps release any residual manufacturing compounds. Allow it to cool and dry fully before use.
Always store silicone completely dry. A sealed container with a damp bib or bowl inside is one of the fastest ways to create a persistent smell. This is especially relevant when you are packing items for daycare. The daycare feeding pack list has practical advice on keeping everything fresh and organised when you are sending gear out of the house daily.
Can Silicone Bibs Go in the Dishwasher?
Most silicone bibs are dishwasher safe on the top rack. Heat from the dishwasher can speed up staining if pigmented food is already present, so rinse bibs promptly after each meal before loading them. A quick wipe-down at the table makes a real difference. Silicone bibs are one of the easiest pieces of feeding gear to keep clean overall, which is a big part of why they are so practical for everyday use. More on that in this piece on what makes silicone bibs so practical for mealtime.
Choosing Silicone That Stays Cleaner for Longer
Not all silicone products are made the same. Higher quality food-grade silicone tends to be denser and less prone to absorbing pigment. Thicker products with a smooth, non-textured surface are easier to clean than those with grooves or ridges where food can sit. Darker coloured pieces show staining less.
If you are building out your baby's mealtime kit and want pieces that hold up to daily use, browse our silicone baby mealtime range for options designed with practicality in mind.
For general guidance on food-grade materials and what to look for in safe baby products, Product Safety Australia is a reliable starting point.
