Mainstays · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Mainstays Reusable Silicone Baking Mat
Lower concern. Silicone baking mats rarely contain PFAS.
Silicone doesn't require water or grease resistance treatments that contain PFAS. No evidence suggests PFAS risk from this material, though the brand says nothing.
The better-graded swap
If You Care
Parchment Baking Sheets
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Mainstays Reusable Silicone Baking Mat is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is food-grade silicone, a synthetic polymer that does not leach chemicals at typical baking temperatures (up to 480°F). Silicone is chemically stable and nonporous, unlike ceramic or non-stick coated cookware that can degrade or release compounds over time. The mat's inert nature means it will not transfer flavors or absorb oils, and it resists bacterial growth because nothing embeds in the surface.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Silicone leaching (oligomers)
Food-grade silicone can release trace cyclic oligomers at high heat or with acidic/fatty foods, though documented harm from baking mat use is not established. Risk increases above 450°F.
Surface degradation and fragmentation
Budget silicone mats may tear or shed particles with repeated use, especially if scratched. Ensure mats are intact before each use; discard if torn.
Bacterial colonization (if damaged)
Tears and crevices in worn mats can harbor bacteria if not cleaned thoroughly, since silicone is porous only when compromised. Maintain surface integrity.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Non-stick coating contaminants (none in silicone mats)
Unlike Teflon-type coating or ceramic non-stick cookware, silicone mats do not use applied coatings; the silicone itself is the functional material, eliminating coating-degradation hazards.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Dough Box (Mainstays parent brand, Walmart's store label) does not publish detailed material safety certifications or PFAS disclosure statements. No recalls or documented safety complaints specific to this silicone baking mat have been recorded in public databases. The brand does not advertise third-party testing or compliance certifications (FDA, SGS), which is typical for budget cookware lines but limits transparent verification.
How it compares in its category
Silicone mats present lower concern than older Teflon (Teflon-type coating) non-stick surfaces, which can off-gas fumes if overheated, and lower concern than ceramic-coated pans that may contain lead in glazes. They are roughly equivalent in safety to parchment paper (though reusable, reducing waste) and superior to unlined aluminum baking sheets if aluminum leaching is a concern. The trade-off is durability and tactile feedback versus the established track record of cast iron or stainless steel.
If you buy it
Hand wash with mild soap; do not use abrasive scrubbers or sharp utensils that tear the surface. Keep below 500°F to avoid material degradation (most silicone mats are rated to 480°F). Replace if you notice tears, permanent discoloration, or stickiness loss, as small silicone fragments could shed into food. Store flat or rolled loosely to prevent creasing and extend lifespan.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Mainstays has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Mainstays Reusable Silicone Baking Mat?
- silicone-coated parchment paper
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Paper degradation and particulate shedding
- unbleached paper with silicone coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone coating degradation at high heat
- bleached paper with silicone coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Paper degradation and fragmentation
More parchment paper & baking liners grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.