Cleaning Silpat?

[Peeps]

My Silpat didn't come with any instructions but I had heard that you simply wipe it with a damp cloth to clean it. After using it for cookies the damp cloth did nothing to get the circles of grease off so I used soap and water but that didn't seem to help either. I hadn't used it in a few weeks when I took it out the other day and it was growing fuzzy mold! How are you supposed to clean these things - will soap and water damage it? Can I put it in the dishwasher? Damp cloth just isn't going to cut it if its going to start growing things...

[karen w]

I always just wipe mine with a cloth and mild soap & water too. I have never had a problem with mold. The grease rings are still visible, but they are purely cosmetic. They do not affect the silpats performance. I'm wondering if, perhaps, the way it is stored could have caused the mold. Do you stack them on each other or on something else, and are they completely dry when they are stored?? Just a thought.

[Peeps]

I usually let it dry out overnight so its not being put away wet and I just store it in the sheet pan that I use it in. It is odd that its growing mold because I don't live in damp climate and have never seen mold on anything in my house before ever. The grease spots are definitely more than cosmetic though I think since they feel very greasy (I know the Silpat is a little slick anyway but the cookie spots definitely feel greasier than the unused spots). I guess I'll just keep scrubbing with dish soap and hope that works!

[philamark]

I have permanent rings too but I clean with a soft sponge (or dobie) and mild soap and water and those rings are clean. Never had a mold problem with mine, but it's a good idea as previously cited to let them dry thoroughly before storing them away.

[MKSquared]

Dragging up an old thread to report a tip:

My Silpat reeked of garlic after numerous times of cooking breadsticks on it. Yuck.

I scrubbed it with hot water and soap, but it still smelled.
I doused it with lemon juice. No effect.
Then, I had an idea:

I turned on the oven to 300 F.
I filled a sheet pan with water and a healthy amount of baking soda.
I scrubbed the Silpat with the baking soda paste and then added more water.
Then I baked the Silpat with the baking soda and water for approximately 1 hour.

No more garlic smell. YAY!

[claire797]

I put mine in the dishwasher on a regular basis and it works just fine. Hopefully, I'm not doing some sort of long term damage.

[leightx]

I don't have a problem with my Silpat staining, but it does smell! It's usually the worst when I bake the Spicy Oatmeal Crisps - it smells like those cookies forever, and the smell is often transfered to the next thing I bake.

I'll have to try Mary Kates baking soda method. Or maybe Anna's dishwasher method! ;)

Leightx

[claire797]

I just found this.

http://www.demarleusa.com/info/care/spt_care.htm

[pattyp.]

I got a silpat today and the instructions say not to put it in the dishwasher.....wash with soap and water, dry well, do not fold or bend. check out the website.........

[Linda in MO]

This is interesting. I have an exopat (which is the same as a silpat but a different brand) and I don't have any stains on mine and no odors. I just wash mine in hot soapy water. I think I've had them for nearly a year.

[breadmama]

I have three silpats (two large and one small), and was worried about them getting damaged in my drawer. I roll them up around a paper towel roll, with a sheet of paper towel between each layer. I clip a clothespin on each end to keep the whole thing together, and that works for me! :) (Doesn't take up much space, either...)

[MKSquared]

Originally posted by breadmama
I have three silpats (two large and one small), and was worried about them getting damaged in my drawer. I roll them up around a paper towel roll, with a sheet of paper towel between each layer. I clip a clothespin on each end to keep the whole thing together, and that works for me! :) (Doesn't take up much space, either...)

I do just about the same thing, but I make sure to label the paper towel roll with the word "SILPAT" several times in very large letters. Wouldn't want them to go away in the trash! :)

[breadmama]

Good idea - my Silpat is on the outside layer, so I'm not worried about it getting tossed...but I can see how you'd want to prevent a disaster! (I'd cry if someone threw out my Silpats...)