How to Care for Silicone Teethers and Teething Jewellery

Quick answer

Wash silicone teethers and teething jewellery in warm water with a little mild, fragrance-free dish soap, rub each bead and crevice with your fingers or a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, then air-dry completely before storing. For a deeper clean, boil for 2–3 minutes or use a sterilising solution, but check the manufacturer's instructions first. Clean daily, and always inspect for damage before giving the item to your baby.

Why silicone needs a different cleaning routine

Silicone is non-porous, which means it doesn't soak up liquids or harbour bacteria the way some other materials can. That's good news for hygiene, but it also means residue from milk, food or saliva can sit on the surface and become sticky or smelly if you only rinse quickly. Silicone is also heat-resistant, so you can use hot water or steam, but very high temperatures over long periods can weaken the material or affect any printed designs or cords. The goal is to remove residue without damaging the item, so gentle but thorough is the right approach.

Teething jewellery often has a cord, clasp or knot that isn't silicone. Those parts need gentler handling than the beads, so avoid soaking the whole necklace in harsh solutions and never put a fabric strap in the dishwasher unless the maker says it's safe.

Everyday cleaning: the two-minute routine

After each use, rinse the silicone under warm running water to remove loose saliva and food. Add a drop of mild, fragrance-free dish soap to your palm, then rub the beads, bangle or teether between your hands. Pay attention to textured areas, seams and the join between the bead and the cord, where residue collects. Rinse until the water runs clear and no slippery feeling remains. Shake off excess water and let the item air-dry on a clean drying rack or a dedicated towel. Avoid sharing drying space with raw meat or unwashed produce.

If you're cleaning a necklace with a cord, hold the pendant or beads under the water and keep the clasp and any fabric parts away from the soap as much as possible. Wipe those parts with a damp cloth instead.

Deep cleaning and sterilising options

For a more thorough clean, you have three main options. First, boiling: place silicone items in a pot of boiling water for 2–3 minutes, then remove with clean tongs and air-dry. This works well for solid silicone teethers and bangles, but check the manufacturer's instructions before boiling anything with a cord, clasp or printed design. Second, steam sterilising: use a steam steriliser or microwave steam bags if the item is labelled safe for that method. Third, cold-water sterilising: use sterilising solution or tablets according to the packet directions, then rinse with cooled boiled water and air-dry.

Whichever method you choose, don't mix silicone teethers with bottles or pump parts in the same sterilising cycle if you can avoid it, and never use bleach-based kitchen sprays or abrasive scouring pads on silicone. Those can leave residue or scratch the surface.

Storage and inspection between cleanings

Store clean, dry silicone items in a clean, dry container or a breathable cotton bag. Avoid airtight plastic bags if there's any chance the item is still damp, because trapped moisture can encourage mould. Keep teething jewellery out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, which can degrade the silicone over time.

Before each use, run your fingers over the whole item. Look for tears, cracks, sticky patches, or a cord that's fraying or stretched. If you find any damage, stop using it immediately. Silicone is durable, but tiny teeth can eventually cause wear, and a damaged teether can become a choking hazard.

Your 5-step silicone care routine

1. Rinse after every use: Hold the silicone under warm running water to remove milk, food and saliva. This stops residue from drying into sticky patches. Checkpoint: if the surface still feels slick or smells sour after rinsing, move to step 2.
2. Wash with mild soap and your fingers: Use a drop of fragrance-free dish soap and rub every bead, ridge and seam. A soft baby toothbrush can reach textured areas on teethers. Common mistake: using antibacterial or scented soaps, which can leave irritating residue on a product your baby mouths.
3. Rinse until squeaky clean: Rinse under warm water until no soapy feel remains. Pay extra attention to the join between beads and cord, where soap can hide. Checkpoint: if you can still taste or feel soap, rinse again. Residual soap can upset a baby's tummy.
4. Air-dry completely: Shake off excess water and leave the item on a clean drying rack or towel. Don't dry with a shared kitchen towel that may carry bacteria. Common mistake: putting a still-damp teether into a closed container, which can encourage mould.
5. Inspect before each use: Run your fingers over the whole item, checking for tears, cracks, sticky spots or a fraying cord. If anything looks worn, retire the item. Next step: if the item is damaged, replace it rather than trying to repair it. Safety comes first.

Product facts

• Breastfeeding & Teething Necklace/Bangle Set - Pink Lunar: Breastfeeding & Teething Necklace/Bangle Set - Pink Lunar is made with chewable, tactile silicone beads and comes as a set with a bangle; it's designed as a sensory aid for feeding and for soothing sore gums. The set format means you have two silicone items to clean and inspect regularly. The bangle is easy to rinse and air-dry, while the necklace needs gentler handling around its cord and clasp.
• Breastfeeding & Teething Necklace - Honey Leopard: Breastfeeding & Teething Necklace - Honey Leopard features silicone leopard print beads and is designed to be chewable and tactile, to help reduce nipping, scratching and hair pulling while feeding. Printed silicone can be more prone to surface wear over time. Clean it gently and avoid abrasive tools so the print stays intact and the beads remain smooth for your baby to chew.
• SALE Easy Weany Cub Box - Silicone Baby Weaning Set: SALE Easy Weany Cub Box - Silicone Baby Weaning Set includes a bear cub suction bowl, suction plate, matching silicone spoon and bib, plus a mini guide and recipe cards. The bowl, plate and spoon are silicone and can be cleaned the same way as teethers, but the bib may have fabric or a different material. Check each piece separately before boiling or sterilising.