Skandino – Frequently asked questions

What ages are the products suitable for?

Skandino products actually have no age restrictions, and many of our products offer benefits for different age groups.

The children's dinnerware set (including a spoon, spoutless sippy cup, and plate) is designed to specifically support the development of eating skills in children aged 4–48 months. But: the design of these products has been found to be suitable for adults and the elderly as well!

Once your child has learned to drink from a cup, the lid can be removed, and the cup can be used for years.

Are the products durable and long-lasting?

Yes, and absolutely! Skandino dishes can withstand everyday mishaps without worry – they won't break from dropping, for example. The lifespan of the dishes is at least as long as that of your child, you, and/or traditional plastic products. 😉

All Skandino products have passed the official standards for physical and mechanical properties of children's drinking utensils, eating utensils, and feeding utensils (EN 14350 and EN 14372) in an accredited laboratory, in addition to Japan's official food safety tests and regulations.

Can I wash Skandino dishes in the dishwasher?

Yes, you can! All Skandino products are dishwasher safe.

Can I use the dishes in the microwave?

In short: Yes!

Common sense should be followed when using the microwave: Skandino dishes should not be microwaved empty (without food). The material contains natural fibers, and therefore the products may warp slightly after microwave use if no food has been placed in them for heating. For this reason, we strongly recommend not using the microwave with an empty dish – just like with any other dish.

Rule of thumb: heat the food, not the dishes!

What material are the products made from?

All products are made from ecological biocomposite, containing at least 94% plant-based raw materials: a mixture of pine wood and sugarcane-based bioplastic!

Is the material safe for children?

Yep! Absolutely yes. We have invested heavily in (voluntary) research beyond our statutory responsibilities to ensure the products are 100% safe to use.

The material has been thoroughly tested multiple times and does not contain harmful chemicals. The material is BPA, PVC, phthalate, and melamine-free. It is 100% safe for children and meets the official EU standards for physical and mechanical properties of children's drinking utensils, eating utensils, and feeding utensils (EN 14350 and EN 14372).

When should a child start drinking from a cup?

A child can begin practicing drinking from a cup at the same time they start tasting solid foods. A good time to start drinking from a cup is when the child can sit steadily. (See source below)

What kind of drink is suitable for a child?

In the initial stages of learning, the drink can be, for example, a smoothie. The thicker the liquid, the easier it is to manage in the mouth, and the easier it is to develop a natural and safe swallowing pattern. (See source below)

Later, as fine motor skills develop, thinner liquids can be introduced. Finally, in the last stage of skill development, the lid of the spoutless cup can be removed. Good luck on your learning journey! 😉

Does using the cup cause a lot of mess?

Initially, there might be some mess – it's often part of the process, especially at first. However, we designed the lid of the spoutless sippy cup to restrict liquid flow and thereby minimize mess and stress .

In addition, with consistent practice, your child will learn to master the cup in just a few weeks! (See source below)

How do I remove the cup lid?

Squeeze the rim of the lid with your index finger and thumb and pull the lid straight up. The cup has no threads, so it can be used as a regular drinking cup after the child has first learned to control the liquid and drink independently with the practice lid.

(*The absence of threads helps avoid unnatural tongue positions during drinking, thereby supporting the development of healthy swallowing habits and preventing accidents)

Why is the cup lid so tight?

Does the lid feel like a strength test? Well, darn it, we just wanted to keep it away from kids, but if even an adult can't get the lid off, something needs to be fixed!

The cup and lid are made of bio-based material containing wood. Wood is an organic component, which is why the tightness of the lid and cup may slightly change when the product is put into use. The lid will find its natural fit after a couple of weeks of use.

Thanks to the wood used in the material, you can carefully sand the lid and cup with sandpaper if the lid feels too tight. But before that, we recommend soaking the cup and lid in water for 10 hours to ensure that the parts made of natural materials are balanced in terms of temperature and humidity.

Why does my product smell like wood?

The products have a light woody scent because their material is made from sugarcane and pine wood-based materials, which are collected from industrial side streams.

After a few washes, the woody scent will begin to fade.

Do Skandino products get color stains from tomato sauce?

Like all non-ceramic dishes, Skandino products may get some color from strongly staining foods such as tomato sauce, especially if the food is heated in the microwave and/or if it contains preservatives, artificial colors, or other additives.

However, any potential stains will fade with each wash and are likely to disappear completely. If not, try a quick wash with vinegar.

The lid of my spoutless sippy cup doesn't fit!

Is the lid/cap of your spoutless sippy cup loose? Oh no! But don't worry, let's figure it out.

Natural materials adapt to ambient temperature and humidity (just like wood, for example). However, the sippy cup lid should always fit well – never too tight or too loose. If you haven't washed your products for the first time yet, always wash them in the dishwasher first. This ensures that both parts, the lid and the cup itself, are at exactly the same humidity and temperature.

If this doesn't help, soak the lid in water for at least 10 hours (24 hours may be necessary. You can check the lid's fit from time to time during soaking).

If, despite these tests, your lid-cup combination doesn't fit, please contact us immediately. Our contact information can be found below. Pressure/humidity/temperature may have changed drastically during production, and unfortunately, this natural effect is reflected in your product.

Don't worry, we'll take care of it for you and fix it!

How and when was Skandino® founded?

The Skandino® story begins in 2014 , when the world of baby products was heavily focused on the use of plastic as a material. Other materials didn't seem to be available.

While volunteering on the islands of Central America, Emmi, the founder of the Skandino® brand, encountered an astonishing sight: while locals ate from dried coconut shells and other fruit peels, ocean waves pushed plastic waste from the rest of the world onto the island's shores. This unforgettable sight sparked the idea of greener tableware design and baby products.

It turned out that there was more to fix in the industry than just materials. Many speech therapists around the world began to advise against the use of traditional sippy cups due to the oral and motor problems they caused. Healthy design choices were another issue Skandino wanted to address.