Clean Aluminum Pans: Baking Soda And Peroxide Power

Cleaning aluminum pans with baking soda and peroxide is an effective way to remove tough, set-in stains. This method is also useful for pans with a non-stick coating, as more abrasive solutions may damage the coating. To clean an aluminum pan with baking soda and peroxide, make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and spread it across the top of the pan. Let the paste sit for 2-3 hours, or overnight for bigger messes. After the allotted time, wipe away the mixture from the pan with a paper towel and water. For any remaining residue, scrub with a nylon pad, sponge, or brush, and then wash the pan with regular soap and water to rid it of any remaining residue.

Make a paste with the ingredients

To make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, you'll need to use a 1:1 ratio of the two ingredients. Mix the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together in a small bowl until they form a paste with a spreadable consistency.

Once you have your paste, spread it evenly over the surface of the baking sheet. You can be generous with the amount you use, ensuring that you cover the entire pan.

After applying the paste, let it sit on the pan for at least 2 hours. For bigger messes or more stubborn stains, you can leave it for up to 8 hours. The longer soaking time will help loosen tough, set-in stains, making them easier to remove.

Once the time has elapsed, use a paper towel dampened with water to wipe away the paste from the pan. If necessary, use a nylon pad, sponge, or brush to scrub away any remaining residue. Finally, give the pan a thorough wash with dish soap and hot water to ensure it's completely clean.

This method is effective at removing stains and giving new life to baking sheets. While it may require a longer soaking time, it demands less scrubbing effort compared to other cleaning techniques.

Spread the paste on the pan

To clean your aluminium pans with baking soda and peroxide, you'll want to start by creating a paste with the two ingredients. You can do this by mixing them together in a small bowl, ensuring that the consistency is thick enough to stick to the pan.

Once you have your paste, it's time to spread it onto the pan. Using a spoon or spatula, apply a generous amount of the paste to the surface of the pan, ensuring that all the targeted areas are covered. You may want to focus on particularly stained or discoloured spots. It's important to wear rubber gloves during this process to protect your skin.

After the paste is applied, let it sit for at least 2 hours. For more stubborn messes or heavier stains, you can leave it on for up to 8 hours. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at lifting stains and breaking up gunk.

While you're waiting, you can prepare a sink of hot water for the next step. After the allotted time has passed, grab a paper towel or dishcloth and wipe away the paste from the pan, using water to help if needed. You should see the stains and residue starting to lift at this stage.

Finally, scrub any remaining residue away with a nylon pad, sponge, or brush. Give the pan a final wash with dish soap and warm water to ensure it's completely clean. Rinse and dry the pan, and admire your handiwork!

Let the paste sit for a few hours

To clean your aluminum pans with baking soda and peroxide, you'll want to let the paste sit for a few hours—or even overnight. This gives the chemical reaction between the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide time to break up all the gunk, so you can wipe it away with a sponge or scrape it off with a plastic or bamboo scraper before rinsing.

The longer you let the paste sit, the less effort you'll need to put in when it comes to the rinsing stage. If you only let the paste sit for two hours, you'll still need to scrub a little. But if you let it sit overnight, the paste will do all the hard work for you while you sleep.

So, if you have the time, it's worth leaving the paste on your pan for as long as possible. That way, you can save yourself some scrubbing!

Wipe the paste away with a paper towel

Once you've left the paste on the pan for at least two hours, or up to eight hours for bigger messes, it's time to wipe it away. Use a paper towel and water to wipe the paste from the pan. You can also use a plastic scraper to scrape the paste into a pile and then dump it into the garbage before washing the pan.

If there is any residue remaining, scrub it away with a nylon pad, sponge, or brush. Then, give the pan a final wash using dish soap and warm water.

This method is effective at removing heavy food stains. However, it requires a long soaking time, which may not always be convenient.

Scrub any remaining residue

To scrub any remaining residue from your aluminum pans, you can use a nylon pad, sponge, brush, or steel wool. If you're using steel wool, be aware that it may leave some scratches on your pan. To avoid this, scrub in even, circular motions.

If you're looking for a more intensive scrub, you can use a plastic or bamboo scraper to remove the residue. This is a good option if you've let the mixture sit overnight and don't want to put in too much elbow grease.

It's important to note that you should always test new cleaning methods on a small, inconspicuous portion of your pan before applying them to the entire surface. This will help you avoid any potential damage to the pan's surface.

Frequently asked questions