If you discover a white coating on your silicone mold, this is nothing to worry about at first. The discoloration may not look particularly attractive, but in most cases it is harmless. Read this article to find out what the white coating is all about and the best way to clean your silicone mold.
Where does the white coating on silicone molds come from?
When you see a white coating, you might immediately think of mold. But your worries are unfounded. If you have thoroughly washed the silicone mold and it no longer contains any food residue, it is most likely not about mold. Find out which three things can be responsible for the unsightly white coating on silicone molds:
Grease residue
The most common explanation for white deposits on silicone molds is grease residue. Sherin Knoll from the baking accessories manufacturer Birkmann explains the white coating on the silicone mold as follows: “Silicone absorbs the fat from baking like a sponge and stores it in the mold. After a certain time, the mold then releases the excess fat. As silicone also attracts dust and dirt, the mold gets this white coating.”
Rinse aid
Most silicone molds for baked goods or ice cubes are dishwasher-safe. However, if you choose a rinse cycle with rinse aid and special salt, residues can stick to the baking mold. Especially if you leave them to dry after removing them from the dishwasher, the white coating on the silicone mold will become visible.
Lime
Hand-washed silicone molds can also develop white spots. This phenomenon mainly occurs in households where the tap water contains a lot of limescale. Rub the mold dry with a microfiber or kitchen towel to avoid the white coating.
You may also be interested in these articles:
Cleaning silicone molds: how to do it right
According to the manufacturer, you should clean a newly purchased silicone mold with hot water and washing-up liquid. Tap it out on a tea towel and let it air dry to avoid lint in the mold.
If it has been in the cupboard for a long time and has formed a white coating, you can do the following to clean the silicone mold:
- Boil with vinegar water
- place in the warm oven and then wipe out with a kitchen towel
- Rinse with hot water
By the way: The silicone mold does not need to be dry before use. You can pour the dough into the still moist mold. This makes it even easier to remove the baked goods after baking.
The mysterious white coating is therefore not a scary mold infestation, but usually just excess fat that the mold “sweats out” again. It’s reassuring to know that we don’t have to dispose of our beloved baking aids straight away – a little vinegar water, a warm oven or hot water is all it takes to banish the ghosts of past baked goods.
Sources: fragdenstein, oetker
