Why did this Energizing EO & FO blend practically eat my silicone mats?

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akseattle

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Why did this Energizing EO & FO blend practically eat my silicone mats?

In December 2024, I bought Energizing EO & FO from WSP when it was on sale. It said it was 93% sweet orange and spicey ginger EO. So, what's not to like about that? I did a fragrance test with it on February 8. Although IFRa said it was safe up to 58%, I used only 6%. But, I accidently knocked over the bottle on my counter. Thank goodness, my order was sent in small 2 oz bottles because even though I grabbed and uprighted the little bottle as quickly as possible, I suspect I spilled at least an ounce.

I cover my kitchen counter with silicone mats when I soap. I gathered up the silicone mats and poured the excess liquid down the sink and rinsed off the mats before tossing them on my back porch. After washing my counter, I continued newspaper covering. Although I did this all pretty fast, my silicone mats are all mis shapen with big waves and divets and are unusable.

I've had orange EO and lemon EO disintegrate styrofoam cups when doing M&P. But, I was pretty stunned by the effect of this EO&FO blend on silicone. I looked at the EU allergen sheet to see just what the heck exactly is in this EO&FO blend. It says it is 86% limonene. I looked up limonene. According to AI, it is "a naturally occurring hydrocarbon compound found primarily in the peels of citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges, and limes. It is a colorless, fragrant liquid that belongs to the class of chemicals known as terpenes.

Is this normal? Is silicone pretty vulnerable or do you think there is something wrong with this EO/FO?
 
Or your silicone mats aren't 100% pure silicone?

edit: I realize the common assumption is silicone is impervious to "everything" but having worked in the chemical industry for years, I know there are no materials that are impervious to all solvents, acids, bases, etc.

I wasn't able to find much about the chemical compatibility information about limonene. But what I can say is limonene is a very potent solvent, so one should expect the unexpected when working with it. Specific info I've found so far is this:

"...[limonene] not recommended for [use with] polyethylene, polypropylene, natural rubber, nitrile, neoprene..." Source: https://www.globalglove.com/media/w...l_Glove_Chemical_Resistance_Chart_and_PVA.pdf

Nitrile rubber is the material of choice for protective gloves per this SDS: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/SIAL/62122

And this screenshot from the first source (a company that makes protective gloves) shows nitrile or PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) gloves are the only types that show long-term resistance to limonene. Source: https://www.globalglove.com/media/w...l_Glove_Chemical_Resistance_Chart_and_PVA.pdf

Screenshot 2025-02-22 at 08-30-22 Global_Glove_Chemical_Resistance_Chart_and_PVA.pdf.png
 
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I learned the hard way that Dawn Power wash damages Silicone. I would spray kitchen utensils that had silicone on it. then the silicone parts would either become very sticky or start to disintegrate. I am assuming it is from the rubbing alcohol that is in the Dawn Power wash.
Silicone isn't that strong.
From my point of view, it's almost as if the laws of chemistry have changed lol

Maybe I just don't want to think everything's being made with such little quality these days. Or is everybody's stuff getting that old at the same time? lol
 
From my point of view, it's almost as if the laws of chemistry have changed lol

Maybe I just don't want to think everything's being made with such little quality these days. Or is everybody's stuff getting that old at the same time? lol
very few things are made to last nowadays. There are appliances that are still going strong from the 50s-70s and yet any appliance bought in the 2000s are lucky to make it past 5-10 years.
 
Or your silicone mats aren't 100% pure silicone?

edit: I realize the common assumption is silicone is impervious to "everything" but having worked in the chemical industry for years, I know there are no materials that are impervious to all solvents, acids, bases, etc.

View attachment 81176

Thank you everyone. Not sure what my gloves are made out of, I think they were fairly exposed to this EO&FO during my clean up but they seemed fine. I'll assume it was partly the limonene and partly cheap silicone mats. They were pretty cheap. I bought them on TEMU and had been working fabulously until my EO&FO spill. Strange what orange EO and limonene do or don't effect.
 
very few things are made to last nowadays. There are appliances that are still going strong from the 50s-70s and yet any appliance bought in the 2000s are lucky to make it past 5-10 years.

Planned obsolescence, they have figured pretty good lol

I remember when A zippo found in a drawer, after months. YEARS even, would still light. Now, fill to dripping, store in good ziplock bag and 3 days later you need a torch to get fire out of it!
Even cheap silicone shouldn't deteriorate that fast. :confused:

edit
Maybe it's just a coincidence around me lol
 
I learned the hard way that Dawn Power wash damages Silicone. I would spray kitchen utensils that had silicone on it. then the silicone parts would either become very sticky or start to disintegrate. I am assuming it is from the rubbing alcohol that is in the Dawn Power wash.
Silicone isn't that strong.
Oh I have a silicone mold that stretched after I washed it with hot water and it has never fit back into the wooden mold that came with it, I thought it was the hot water so I tried to shrink it by putting it in the freezer it didn't work. But guess what I washed it with Dawn I wonder if this is what happened to it. I wash everything with Dawn.
 
Oh I have a silicone mold that stretched after I washed it with hot water and it has never fit back into the wooden mold that came with it, I thought it was the hot water so I tried to shrink it by putting it in the freezer it didn't work. But guess what I washed it with Dawn I wonder if this is what happened to it. I wash everything with Dawn.
It's the Dawn Power Wash spray that caused problems for me, not the normal Dawn dishwashing soap.

I also noticed that it only "corrodes" the silicone if the spray residue is left on for a while.
I use it to "soak" the grime on kitchen utensils, pots n pans, etc. I Love it cuz it makes clean up so much easier. I also make my own refills.
But I no longer leave it on silicone LOL 😅

I'll assume it was partly the limonene and partly cheap silicone mats. They were pretty cheap. I bought them on TEMU and had been working fabulously until my EO&FO spill.
TEMU is the answer to your mystery lol . While their products are cheap and my mom loves them, They are not known for quality.
 
Question...
"Fragrance" Oils (assumption of FO meaning)? Essential I'm familiar with. My son mentioned Fragrance Oils for the candles he makes. Am I right in assuming those are the copyrightable scents? Would they have solvents a little less friendly with even good Silicon? Or at perhaps something that might breakdown over time?
Asking out of ignorance.
 
It's the Dawn Power Wash spray that caused problems for me, not the normal Dawn dishwashing soap.

I also noticed that it only "corrodes" the silicone if the spray residue is left on for a while.
I use it to "soak" the grime on kitchen utensils, pots n pans, etc. I Love it cuz it makes clean up so much easier. I also make my own refills.
But I no longer leave it on silicone LOL 😅


TEMU is the answer to your mystery lol . While their products are cheap and my mom loves them, They are not known for quality.
Lol oh yup I used Dawn platinum dish soap ha ha I thought I had figured it out lol. I think your probably right about the mold being a cheap mold I had bought it on Amazon you know the pink one ha ha
 
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