How to Care for Silicone Feeding Ware (Yes there's an easy way to avoi

We've all seen the viral post's about babies not eating because their silicone plates taste like soap. We've seen the brands pushing the fear mongering that this is because silicone is porous, toxic, leaches chemicals into food and the various other myths.

Rather than ignore it we thought we would talk about it, explore the science and facts because as paediatric Dietitian's we firmly believe silicone is the best material for baby tableware and it's a hill we will absolutely die on.

We get it, there's a lot of noise in this space and whilst we love the movement of people caring more about their health and bodies and being more vigilant around food and food storage sometimes the "low tox" movement can take things a little bit too far and make us start to fear things that we don't need to". Silicone seems to fall into that category at the moment. As a team of health professionals we choose to manufacture with platinum cured, 100% food grade silicone that meets Australian food standards. We're confident in the safety of this material - baby bottle teats and dummies have been using silicone for decades.

In this resource we're going to focus on the "soapy taste" claims and where they fall down. We'll explore the overall safety of silicone in a different article down the track.

Why do we choose silicone for our products?

We choose silicone because that "soapy smell" fear mongering you see every where is basically the only negative to this material and it's one easily avoided.

Make no mistake, if there was another material that was a functional as silicone we would use it, but right now there isn't. We've spent years trying to create a suction plate that replicates the suction power of our Suckie Scoop Range out of other materials and it just isn't possible. As soon as you make a plate that relies on two materials coming together like a ceramic or stainless attached to a suction base that suction power we have achieved that you all love disappears. That's just one downside.

Silicone is fridge safe, freezer safe, microwave safe, oven safe, dishwasher safe, steamer safe, it doesn't mark easily, it's unbreakable and it looks the same on day one as it does 3 years later.

We get it, we're a brand who sells silicone plates so obviously we're biased... but we also sell stainless plates (because we like to try and cater to everyone) and we would choose the silicone 10 times over for our own babies.

Silicone is also one of the easiest materials to look after — it handles the dishwasher, the freezer and being thrown off the high chair daily. But there's one thing that catches almost every parent out if they aren't cared for correctly: the soapy smell. Here's how to avoid it, how to fix it, and how to keep your silicone baby plates, bowls and spoons in great shape for years.

Why does silicone smell soapy sometimes?

Here's the good news: silicone doesn't absorb anything. That soapy smell (and taste) is just fragrance and oil residue from scented detergent sitting on the surface. Because it's only sitting on top, it comes off again — your feeding ware is never ruined.

The fix is simple: wash correctly

Two small habits prevent the problem almost entirely:

Go unscented. Use an unscented or fragrance-free dishwasher tablet or liquid. Most supermarkets stock one in the dishwashing aisle, often labelled "sensitive" or "fragrance free". Same goes for hand washing — plain, unscented dishwashing liquid is your friend.
Rinse well in the hottest tap water. After washing, give everything a good rinse under the hottest water from the tap. Hot water lifts any detergent residue off the surface before it has a chance to build up.

Accidentally washed with regular soap and noticed a soapy smell?

Not to worry — nothing has soaked in, nothings leaching chemicals. It's just residue on the surface, and there are a few simple solutions to have your feeding ware back to brand new. Try these, in order:

Hot water rinse. Rinse well under the hottest water from the tap, rubbing the surface with your fingers to lift the residue. Often this alone does the trick.
Bake it out. Silicone is heat safe. Pop clean, dry silicone (plates, bowls, spoons — no plastic parts) in the oven at 120°C for around 20–30 minutes to release any leftover fragrance. Let everything cool before handling.
Vinegar soak. Soak in a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and warm water for 30–60 minutes, then wash and air dry in the sun if you can.
Bicarb paste. Rub a paste of bicarb soda and water over the silicone, leave for a few hours, then rinse well.
My personal favourite because it's SOOO easy. Pop them through the dishwasher on the hottest cycle possible with no tablets. The hot water and steam lift everything right off.

After any of these, wash with unscented detergent and a hot rinse so the residue doesn't build up again.

Everyday care tips for silicone feeding ware

Dishwasher safe, any rack. Silicone doesn't warp like plastic, so it can go on the bottom rack too.
Skip the harsh scourers. A soft cloth or sponge is all you need. Abrasive pads can dull the surface over time.
Watch for oily residue. Oily foods (think bolognese or anything cooked in olive oil) can leave a slippery film. Wash in hot water with detergent and rub the surface with your fingers — if it still feels slick, wash again. A clean, oil-free base also matters for suction — see our guide to getting the best suction from your plates and bowls.
Dry completely before storing. Trapped moisture in a cupboard can cause musty smells.
Keep knives away. Silicone is tough but it can be cut. Stick to baby spoons and forks at mealtimes.

When to replace silicone feeding ware

Quality silicone lasts years. Replace a piece if you notice cuts or splits (they can trap food), or if the surface stays sticky or tacky even after a good wash.

Quick answers

Can silicone baby plates go in the dishwasher?

Yes — any rack, any cycle. Just use an unscented tablet or liquid and rinse well so residue doesn't build up.

Why does my silicone plate taste like soap?

Fragrance residue from scented detergent is sitting on the surface — silicone doesn't absorb anything. Rinse well in the hottest tap water, switch to fragrance-free detergent, and use the oven, vinegar or bicarb methods above for stubborn residue.