How to store baby tableware

The main enemy after washing is not bacteria — it is moisture. Tableware put away still damp into a closed drawer develops odour, and with plastic and silicone it accelerates ageing. Practical notes for the kitchen and travel.

Three rules for home storage

1. Fully dry before storage. The CDC stresses drying on a clean towel or rack, not wiping with an already-used kitchen cloth (those spread bacteria). Stainless steel can also briefly warm at 60°C / 140°F in the oven to dry fully.
2. Ventilated spot, not an airtight box. The worst spot is an airtight plastic box with a lid — trapped moisture cannot evaporate and the smell locks in. An open shelf or a basket with holes is better.
3. Separate from general kitchen tableware. The baby's spoon and plate shouldn't sit next to knives and packed drawers. A dedicated shelf or compartment reduces cross-contamination.

Differences by material

Stainless steel 304 / 316. The most tolerant. Can sit for years with no consequence. Dry storage plus an occasional rub with a small vinegar-water solution keeps the shine.

Silicone. Needs to "breathe". Don't squeeze into tight drawers, don't store folded (it keeps the shape). Separate from metal items that can scratch it.

Glass. Dry and separate. Glasses rub each other and chip rims. If stacking is necessary, a clean cloth between pieces.

Plastic. Shortest lifespan regardless of storage. After 1-2 years the material ages and releases more microplastics (Nature Food 2020).

Travel

The best combination is a cloth or silicone tableware pouch (easy to wash) plus a small wet-wipes box. A stainless steel set fits in almost any bento format. For the car: avoid long stays in the sun, because the temperature in a closed car passes 60°C / 140°F. It does not damage stainless steel, but it accelerates silicone and plastic degradation.

When to replace

• Stainless steel: when deep scratches appear or pitting corrosion (rare, but possible after years of steel-wool use).
• Silicone: when it goes sticky, matte, or changes colour (a year or two of intensive use).
• Plastic: every year, even if it looks fine. Microplastics and chemical migration both rise with age.

What we recommend

A feeding set with a stainless steel 304 / 316 core and silicone only on the anti-slip base is the easiest to maintain: the main pieces (plate, bowl, cutlery) last years without special tricks; only the silicone base needs a little care. Our age-graded sets come in gift packaging that doubles as a storage box.

More on materials

• Inox vs other materials
• Our range