Restore Pots And Pans: Removing Tarnish

Keeping your pots and pans clean and stain-free can be a challenge, especially when food is cooked at high temperatures. While soap and hot water may be the go-to solution, it is not always effective for removing stubborn stains and can even damage your cookware if you scrub too hard. Luckily, there are several alternative methods you can use to get rid of tarnish on your pots and pans, ranging from common household items to specialised cleaning products.

Use vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination for cleaning burnt pots and pans. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar in the Pan

Pour a small layer of equal parts water and vinegar into the pan. Heat the diluted vinegar on the stove and let it boil. After a minute, remove the pan from the heat and drain the vinegar down the sink.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pan. Baking soda is abrasive and will help lift the stains. You can also add a little distilled or apple cider vinegar to the mix for an even stronger stain remover.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Use a scouring pad to massage the baking soda and tackle any remaining burn marks. Rinse the pan clean.

Tips:

• Always use a non-scratch sponge or brush to avoid damaging the pan's surface.
• For tougher stains, let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit for a few hours or overnight before scrubbing.
• For cast iron pans, avoid using water, soap, or acidic items like vinegar, as these can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning.

Try lemon juice and salt

Lemon juice and salt can be used to remove tarnish from pots and pans. This method is especially effective for copper cookware.

Start by cutting a lemon in half and dipping the cut side into table salt. The salt will stick to the lemon's pulp, creating a natural abrasive sponge. Then, rub the lemon half on the surface of the copper cookware. Use more salt as needed to remove stubborn tarnish. Finally, rinse the cookware with water and dry it thoroughly.

Lemon juice can also be used in combination with other ingredients to clean tarnished pots and pans. For example, you can add lemon juice to baking soda to make a homemade copper cleaner. Simply stir the two ingredients together until they are completely mixed, and then apply the paste to the copper surface. Buff the paste into the copper using a soft, clean cloth, and then rinse and dry the cookware.

Lemon juice can also be used to clean aluminium cookware. Cut a slice of lemon and rub it over the aluminium surface until the tarnish is removed. Then, rinse the cookware with water and dry it. Alternatively, you can add lemon juice to a pan of boiling water and let the mixture bubble for about ten minutes. Then, drain the water and dry the pan.

Apply fabric softener

If your pans are looking a little worse for wear, a simple solution of fabric softener and hot water can bring them back to life.

First, add a small amount of fabric softener to your pan, along with some hot water. The exact amount of fabric softener you'll need will depend on the size of your pan, but you only need enough to cover the stains or burnt areas.

Let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes. The longer you leave it, the less scrubbing you'll have to do, and the more your pans will shine! If the stains are particularly stubborn, you can leave the mixture to sit for up to an hour, or even overnight.

Once the mixture has had time to work its magic, it's time to scrub. You can use the fabric softener sheet as a scrubber, or simply rinse the pan clean with water. If you're using a fabric softener sheet, make sure it's fully saturated with water before you start scrubbing.

This method works because the conditioning properties of the dryer sheet help to loosen burnt-on food and stains, leaving your pans clean and shiny. So, the next time your pans are looking a little tarnished, don't reach for the scourer straight away – a fabric softener could be the answer!

Soak in salt water

Soaking your pots and pans in salt water is an effective way to remove burned-on stains without the trouble of scrubbing. To do this, fill your cookware with salt water and let it soak overnight. Then, boil the mixture the next day. This process should lift the stain right off your cookware.

While this method is effective, it's important to note that repeated cleaning with salt or salt water can lead to pitting in stainless steel. This is because exposure to chlorides, which are present in salt, can make stainless steel vulnerable to rust and corrosion over time.

To avoid this, it is recommended to avoid using salt water to soak your stainless steel pots and pans more than once.

Scrub with baking soda

Baking soda is a versatile, natural cleaner that can be used to remove tough stains and eliminate lingering food odours from your pots and pans. It has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food.

The Deglazing Technique

First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles. Add one cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and allow to boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food. Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool. Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously. Wash and dry as normal once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda & Water Method

Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try one cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water. Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat. Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste. Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight, then add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil. Remove it from the heat quickly – you don't want it to burn again! Let the pan cool and wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and add one cup of baking soda. You will get a fizzing reaction. It might be best to do this in the sink. Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling dies down. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary. Rinse clean and dry.

The Baking Soda & Lemon Method

Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Keep a thin layer of water in the pan, then sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly. If your pan has a copper bottom that has gotten blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.

Frequently asked questions