I’ve finally ditched toxic plastic food containers for this safe alternative for storing meals – it's dishwasher, oven, freezer, and microwave-proof
Silicone is the way forward


For years, I’ve put the convenience and value of plastic food storage above other factors, but now I can no longer ignore the risk microplastics bring and I’ve found the perfect, versatile swap.
I’ve recently started using non-toxic silicone bags that are freezer and microwave-safe to store food, pack sandwiches for my daughter, and reheat food.
There’s a multi-pack of versatile silicone food storage bags on offer right now in the Amazon Prime Sale and I’m stocking up to say goodbye to the last of my toxic plastic storage items and making this the silicone food storage swap to top them all.
Silicone bags are a game changer for healthy food storage
You can use these in the fridge, freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher for easy cleaning. This pack of ten comes with lids you can use on bowls instead of foil or cling film. For a four-pack of silicone bags only, it’s $25 cheaper currently.
Though I have been keen to make my home less toxic, I was initially wary of switching to silicone food storage bags.
Despite it’s BPA-free makeup, and all the other natural and healthy benefits, I was worried about how easy it would be to wash them, and if they would dry well without ending up collapsing together with the water tension and then smelling like a wet dog.
I am happy to report that none of my concerns were valid in my recent trial run of using silicone bags. That’s why these dishwasher-safe Stasher ones from Amazon that have a wider base are perfect, as they’ll easily wash and dry without musty bad kitchen smells ruining everything.
Silicone is a food-safe material that can withstand low temperatures in the freezer, and high temperatures in the oven (the Stasher set will be fine up to 425° Fahrenheit in the oven) making switching over to non-toxic storage easy as pie.
What to shop
Now that my silicone show is on the road, I am making a few more non-toxic swaps in my kitchen.
I tried a glass chopping board but the experts were right: It is slippy and dulls your stainless steel knives so quickly. That’s why this durable, thick silicone, dishwasher-safe one is in my basket.
My fabric oven gloves are going in the trash, and I’ll be using this set of silicone gloves instead. Heat resistant up to 500° F, I love that you can freshen them up in the washer.
These harbor far less bacteria than normal traditional kitchen sponges. I am a total convert as food simply drops out into the sink and doesn’t stick in the grooves. They dry quickly too.
The kitchen is not the only place I’ve made a switch to bacteria-busting silicone. A silicone toilet brush, available at Target, has proven to be so much more hygienic and fit for purpose than the classic bristled one. I’m never going back.
Next, delve into the benefits of beeswax products and the swaps worth making today.

Punteha was editor of Real Homes before joining Homes and Gardens as Head of Solved. Previously, she wrote and edited lifestyle and consumer pieces for the national press for 16 years, working across print and digital newspapers and magazines. She’s a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter, BBC Good Food columnist and founding editor of independent magazine, lacunavoices.com. Punteha loves keeping her home clean, has tested and reviewed the latest robot vacuums, enjoys cooking, DIY, and spending weekends personalizing her newly-built home, tackling everything from plumbing to tiling and weatherproofing.
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