This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker. Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
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When cleaning pot and pans with stubborn stains, lingering smells, or burnt food residue, sometimes dish soap and a sponge just aren’t enough to get the job done. Fortunately, you can clean pots and pans with baking soda, which is safe to use on stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, and most other types of cookware. The great thing about using baking soda to clean pots and pans is that it’s cheap and non-toxic. Check out the tips below to learn how to clean pots and pans with baking soda and get them food-free and sparkling clean again.
Steps
Heating the Pan
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1Add water to cover the bottom of the pan. Don’t fill the pan entirely. You should only use enough to cover the bottom surface in 1 inch (2.5 cm) or less of water. Be careful not to use so much water that it boils over.[1]
- Depending on the size of your pan, you may need as much 1 cup (240 mL) of water or more.
- For a griddle or other shallow pan, you may only need a splash or two.
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2Bring the water to a boil, then place the pan in the sink. Heat the pan over the stove until the water begins to lightly boil. Then remove the pan from the stove and place it into the sink, without dumping out the boiling water.[2]
- Use oven mitts if necessary to prevent burning yourself on the hot pan.
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Cleaning the Pan with Baking Soda
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1Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of baking soda. Keep the pan in the sink in order to avoid messy overflows. You should expect to see the baking soda and vinegar begin to bubble and fizz as soon as they come into contact with each other.[5]
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2Let it sit for a few minutes. Let the mixture fizz for a few minutes in the sink while the pan cools off. The fizzing of the vinegar and baking soda will help lift caked-on food residue.[6]
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3Scrub the pan. Using the scouring side of a sponge, scrub the inside of the pan vigorously, focusing on the stained or scorched areas. You’ll be surprised at how much grime you're able to scrub off![7]
- Don't be afraid to touch the fizzing baking soda and vinegar reaction. It's harmless! Just avoid getting it in your eyes.
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4Empty the pan and wash normally. Dump out the mixture in the sink, rinse with hot water, and wash with dish soap and a clean sponge. Then dry with a clean dish towel.[8]
Making a Baking Soda Scrub to Clean Stubborn Stains
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1Mix equal parts baking soda and hot water. If the baking soda and vinegar didn’t completely clean out your pan, try using an abrasive paste made from mixing 1 part baking soda and 1 part water directly in the pan.[9]
- If your paste is too runny, add in a little more baking soda. If it’s too dry, add a splash more water. Repeat until you reach the desired consistency.
- Make sure you've rinsed out any remaining vinegar from the previous step before beginning this method.
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2Scrub the pan with the mixture. The baking soda paste here will act as a light abrasive, scraping off burned food residue. Using a scouring sponge, scrub the problem areas until the stains lift.[10]
- It may be necessary to add more paste after you start scrubbing.
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3Empty the pan and wash normally. Dump out the mixture, rinse with hot water, and wash with dish soap and a clean sponge. Then dry with a clean dish towel.[11]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I make a cleaning solution with baking soda?
Susan StockerSusan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
Green Cleaning ExpertPour some baking soda into a bowl. Then, pour in roughly an equal amount of warm water. Mix the baking soda into the water until it forms a thick paste. If the paste feels too thick, add a little more water. If it feels too thin, sprinkle in some more baking soda.
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Warnings
Things You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Sponge
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
References
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-burnt-pots-scorched-pans-140547
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-burnt-pots-scorched-pans-140547
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-burnt-pots-scorched-pans-140547
- ↑ https://www.getgreenbewell.com/what-kind-of-vinegar-to-clean-with/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-burnt-pots-scorched-pans-140547
- ↑ https://jezebel.com/how-to-clean-scorched-pots-and-befouled-ovens-1443087464
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-burnt-pots-scorched-pans-140547
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-sheet-pans-trays
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-clean-a-scorched-pan-252295
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-clean-a-scorched-pan-252295
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-sheet-pans-trays
- ↑ https://jezebel.com/how-to-clean-scorched-pots-and-befouled-ovens-1443087464
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-sheet-pans-trays
- ↑ https://jezebel.com/how-to-clean-scorched-pots-and-befouled-ovens-1443087464
About This Article
To clean stubborn grime off of a pan with baking soda, start by adding enough water to the pan to cover the bottom and bringing the water to a boil. Transfer the pan to the sink without dumping out the water, then add 1 cup of white vinegar. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and let the pan sit for a few minutes while the baking soda and vinegar work their magic. Finally, scrub the pan with a sponge and wash it with soap and water. To learn how to clean a pan with a baking soda and water paste, scroll down!
