How to Clean Le Creuset

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 17, 2023 References

Le Creuset is a reputable cookware brand that is known for their enamel cast iron skillets, dutch ovens, pots, and kettles. Many of the kitchenware products that Le Creuset produces comes with a lifetime warranty and are touted for their durability. Over time, however, enamel Le Creuset cookware can become dirty or stained. Luckily, you can safely and effectively clean the kitchenware by hand in a variety of different ways.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hand Washing Le Creuset Kitchenware

1
Allow the Le Creuset to cool down first. Plunging a hot Le Creuset pan, pot, or kettle into cold water could crack and damage the enamel. Before cleaning your kitchen equipment, make sure that it cools down completely.^{[1]
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2
Fill the pot with warm water and dish soap. Add a traditional dish soap into the bottom of your Le Creuset kitchenware. Run hot water on top of the soap until it creates suds. Mix the solution together with a spoon until bubbles start to form.^{[2]
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3
Let the pot soak for 10-15 minutes. Allowing the kitchenware to soak will help break up food particles that are stuck on it.
4
Wash the pot with a sponge. Wipe down the Le Creuset cookware with a soft sponge. Do not use harsh abrasive pads like steel wool. You should wash your pot, kettles, and pans after using them every time.
- Nylon or soft abrasive pads can be used to get off stubborn food particles that won't wash away with a traditional sponge.^{[3]
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5
Rinse the pan in hot water. Run hot water over your kitchenware until there are no more suds or soap residue left over.^{[4]
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6
Dry the pan off with a dry cotton cloth. Use a cotton rag, paper towel, or microfiber cloth to wipe down your kitchenware until all of the moisture and soap is removed from it. Make sure that there is no moisture or dish soap left on the surface of your kitchenware.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Burn Stains

1
Boil baking soda and water in your kitchenware. Use a measuring spoon to measure out two tablespoons of baking soda and dump them into the boiling water. Use a wooden spatula or spoon to mix the powder with the water. Once you're done, empty out the kitchenware and dry it off with a rag.^{[5]
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2
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water until it forms a paste. Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into a bowl and slowly add cold water and mix them together until it forms a paste that's a similar consistency to toothpaste.
3
Spread the paste over the burned areas. Spread an even layer of the paste that you created over the inside surfaces of your Le Creuset. You can do this with your hands or a paper towel.
- You can also use the paste to clean the outside of your Le Creuset pan or pot.
4
Let the paste sit overnight. The paste will start to absorb some of the stains created from burning your Le Creuset.^{[6]
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5
Spray the area with white vinegar. The next day, fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar. This will help clean the pot or pan, and will break up the hardened baking soda paste.
6
Scrape and wipe down the hardened baking soda paste. Grab an old toothbrush and dip it into the paste that you just created. Go in a circular motion across the burnt parts of your kitchenware until there is no more baking soda paste.^{[7]
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- Avoid using abrasive scrubbers like steel wool because they can scratch your Le Creuset.
7
Rinse and dry your Le Creuset. Rinse your Le Creuset under cold water and dry it off with a cotton rag. If the burned stains remain, you can repeat the steps until they start to lighten.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Other Le Creuset Items

1
Handwash glassware. You can occasionally place Le Creuset glassware on the top shelf of your dishwasher, but it's recommended that you wash them by hand. Use warm soapy water and a dish soap to lather the inside and outside of the glassware before rinsing it and drying it down thoroughly with a dry cotton cloth.^{[8]
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2
Put stainless steel knives in the dishwasher. Le Creuset stainless steel knives are safe to put into your dishwasher. Alternatively, you can hand wash these knives.^{[9]
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- Be careful when handling sharp knives.
3
Dry Le Creuset wooden items thoroughly. You can wash wooden items separately by hand. Use dish soap and warm water to wash off these items. Drying them completely will prevent cracking, warping, and mold buildup on your wooden utensils.
- You can also rub mineral oil into your wooden utensils to increase their longevity.^{[10]
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4
Clean silicone utensils in the dishwasher. You can remove the silicon parts of certain tools from the wooden handles and wash them separately in the dishwasher. Le Creuset silicone is dishwasher safe and should not warp or melt in the dishwasher. Dry the silicone utensils thoroughly before reattaching them to the wooden parts.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

I put my le creuset pot in the dishwasher. Now the bottom seems to have rust on it. What do I do?

Srihitha Reddy

Community Answer

Firstly, I'm not sure which bottom it is, whether it is inside bottom or outer bottom layer. If it has rust on the inside bottom, then: 1. First put some baking soda on the surface and then rub it with a potato slice. 2. Or, you may wipe it with the lemon. 3. If it didn't work, then pour some hot water and add some salt into it, rest it for 1/2 hour and then clean it.
Question

How do I clean the black inside of my frying pan?

Minimist

Community Answer

It really isn't too hard, as long as you have some time. Start by soaking it overnight in very hot soapy water, before rinsing it out and getting everything you can off. After that, use the scruffy end of a sponge to scrape as much as you can off, before soaking it again, if needed. After a little, everything should be able to scrape off, as long as it is non-stick. If it still doesn't work, and you are willing to scrape the inside of your pans... you can use steel wool balls.
Question

How do I clean the inside of my Creuset kettle? It has a brown copper color film inside the kettle, on the inside bottom.

Cody hillstrom

Community Answer

Try the vinegar method: Simply mix a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water, pour it in the kettle, let it sit overnight. After the overnight soak, pop the kettle on the stove, allowing it to boil for five minutes, and then let sit for about a half-hour. Rinse the kettle.