Restore Cookware Shine

Over time, pots and pans lose their shine and become stained and dull. However, there are several ways to make them look brand new again without using expensive cleaning agents. Here are some easy tricks to restore your pots and pans to their original colour:

Baking Soda and Water

For most cookware, create a paste with baking soda and water, scrub, and rinse. For stubborn stains, create a paste, apply, wait, scrub and rinse.

Lemon and Salt

For copper or brass, use lemon halves dipped in salt to scrub, then rinse.

Vinegar and Water

Boil equal parts vinegar and water in the pan, then scrub gently.

Dish Soap and Warm Water

Soak pans, scrub gently, and rinse.

Baking soda and water paste

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove stubborn burnt-on food and tough stains from pots and pans. It is also effective in eliminating lingering food odours from your cookware. Here is a guide on how to use a baking soda and water paste to polish your pots and pans:

Step 1: Create a Baking Soda and Water Paste

For a full pot bottom, mix around one cup of baking soda with one-third cup of water. Adjust the measurements accordingly to cover the scorched portion of the pan. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the surface. Alternatively, you can first add a thin layer of warm water to the bottom of the pan and then sprinkle baking soda on top to create a paste.

Step 2: Apply the Paste to the Pan

Generously apply the paste to the burnt pan. Make sure the paste is thick enough to fully coat the surface.

Step 3: Let the Paste Sit

Let the paste sit for a few hours or even overnight. The longer you leave it, the easier it will be to remove the burnt-on food and stains.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

After letting the paste sit, use a nylon brush or scouring sponge to scrub the pan. For more heavy-duty cleaning, you can add a bit more water to the paste and place the pan on the stove to boil. However, be careful not to burn the pan again. Let the pan cool, and then scrub to remove the scorched bits.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash the Pan

Once you have removed the burnt-on food and stains, rinse the pan with warm water and wash it with dish soap and a clean sponge or brush.

Tips:

• For more resistant stains, you can sprinkle the pan with baking soda and add a little water. Bring the water to a boil for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Adding white distilled or apple cider vinegar to the mix before boiling will create a stronger stain-removing solution.
• Always make sure to thoroughly dry your pans immediately after cleaning them to prevent the development of water spots and dried, white calcium spots.
• Avoid using steel wool, scouring pads, oven cleaners, bleach, or strong abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch your cookware.

Lemon and salt scrub

Lemon and salt are a great combination for cleaning and polishing your pots and pans to their original colour. This method is especially effective on copper cookware, which is a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Copper is a reactive metal and can tarnish and leach molecules into your food while cooking, causing toxicity. Therefore, it is important to clean and polish copper cookware regularly.

To use the lemon and salt scrub method, start by cutting a lemon in half. Next, sprinkle salt all over the cut side of the lemon. You can then use the lemon like a scrub brush, rubbing the salt and lemon juice onto the surface of the pot or pan. For copper cookware, this method will instantly remove a dull, well-worn finish, and your copper will be gleaming again in seconds.

If you are worried about scratching your cookware or are working with a delicate piece, you can modify this method by squeezing the lemon into a bowl and mixing it with salt to form a paste. You can then apply this paste to the surface of the pot or pan using a spoon and scrub it with the lemon. For stubborn, stained areas, let the paste sit for about half an hour, scrubbing periodically.

After scrubbing your cookware with the lemon and salt, be sure to rinse it clean with warm water and dry it thoroughly. You can then buff it with a dry, clean cloth for additional shine.

This lemon and salt scrub method is a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to clean and polish your pots and pans. It is also a great way to make use of pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.

Vinegar and water soak

Vinegar is a great natural cleaning agent that can be used to remove stubborn stains from your cookware. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a vinegar and water soak to polish your pots and pans:

Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar Solution

Mix two cups of white vinegar with water in a large container. The amount of water you use will depend on the size of your container and the number of pots and pans you need to soak. Ensure you have enough solution to fully submerge the cookware.

Step 2: Soak the Cookware

Completely submerge the pots and pans in the vinegar and water solution. Let them soak for about 30 minutes. The vinegar will help to loosen and remove any baked-on food residue and stubborn stains.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash

After soaking, remove the pots and pans from the solution and rinse them with hot soapy water. Use a soft sponge or cloth to gently scrub away any remaining residue. You can also use a mild detergent to ensure all the vinegar residue is removed.

Step 4: Final Rinse and Dry

Once you have scrubbed your cookware, give them a final rinse with cold water to ensure the vinegar scent does not linger. Dry your pots and pans thoroughly with a soft cloth or towel.

Additional Tips:

• For extra shine, rub half a lemon around the bottom and sides of your stainless steel cookware after washing. Then, rinse and let it air dry.
• If you are dealing with burnt-on food or tough stains, you can add a dash of baking soda or vinegar to boiling water in the affected pot or pan. Bring it to a boil for 5-7 minutes, and then scrub away the loosened residue.
• To remove watermarks from stainless steel, sprinkle baking soda on the dry surface, dampen a cloth with vinegar, and spread it over the baking soda. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry.

By following these steps and tips, your pots and pans will be looking as good as new!

Dish soap and warm water

First, if your pan is still hot from cooking, simply pour hot water into the pan to deglaze it. This can help lift even burned-on food and grease. Be careful not to use cold water on a hot pan, as it can cause thermal shock and warp your pan. Once the pan has been deglazed, use a sponge, scrubber, or scouring pad along with a drop of dish soap to clean the pan. For tougher stains, you may need to use a bit of elbow grease as well. Rinse the pan thoroughly with plain water, and dry it completely to prevent rusting.

For non-stick pots and pans, it is important to use non-abrasive techniques to avoid scratching the delicate surface. Fill your pot or pan with water and bring it to a boil for several minutes. Then, pour out the water and use a nylon scrubber or sponge with a bit of dish soap to gently remove any baked-on food. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive cleaners on non-stick pans, as they can damage the coating.

For cast iron pans, it is best to wash them by hand and avoid using too much dish soap, as it can strip away the protective seasoning of the pan and cause it to rust. If your cast iron pan is still warm, rinse it with hot water and use a brush or pan scraper to remove any burned-on food. If your pan has cooled and won't clean properly, you can remove stubborn marks by heating it again. Add a little water to the pan, covering the base by about half an inch, and slowly bring it to a boil. Use a pan scraper or brush to work the food free, then wash the pan as usual. After each use, dry the cast iron pan thoroughly and season it with a small amount of cooking oil.

For carbon steel pans, it is safe to use a drizzle of dish soap, but too much can remove the coating. Use a nylon or non-abrasive scrub brush or pad, and avoid steel wool. For food that is super stuck, add a little water and simmer for a few minutes before cleaning. Make sure to dry the pan right away after cleaning to help preserve the seasoning.

In addition to dish soap and warm water, you can also use other household ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice to help remove tough stains and restore the shine of your pots and pans.

Bleach-free cleaners or detergents

Bleach is an effective disinfectant that can be used to sanitise surfaces and remove food stains. However, it is not suitable for all types of pots and pans, as it can damage certain surfaces. Additionally, bleach should never be mixed with other cleaning products as it may create toxic gases.

Stainless Steel

To remove watermarks from stainless steel pots and pans, you can use baking soda and vinegar. Sprinkle two tablespoons of baking soda on the dry steel surface, then dampen a cloth to spread the baking soda all over. Pour vinegar over the baking soda and let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry the item.

To remove burn marks, sprinkle some baking soda on the marks and wash them away with a soft sponge. You can also use a mild detergent to clean stainless steel items. First, remove all grease and food remnants with a soft sponge and detergent, then dry the item with a cloth and apply some olive oil to shine the surface. After a few minutes, wipe off the excess oil with a microfiber cloth.

For stubborn stains, you can use an abrasive cleanser such as Bar Keepers Friend, Bon Ami, Comet, or Ajax. These cleansers contain mineral abrasives that create a scouring effect to remove dirt.

Copper

To clean the outside of a copper pot or pan, create a mixture of an acidic substance and a mild abrasive, such as lemons and salt. Sprinkle salt on a lemon half and wipe it on the outside of the pot or pan until it is clean, then wipe it with a soft cloth and water. Alternatively, combine baking soda and lemon juice to form a paste, then use a microfiber cloth to scrub the paste onto the pot's exterior until it is clean. Rinse and dry the item.

To clean the inside of a copper pan, use dish soap and water. Copper pots and pans are usually lined with tin, silver, or stainless steel, which can be cleaned with a sponge, scrub brush, or rag.

To slow down the oxidation process that causes copper to turn dark, coat the item with food-safe mineral oil after cleaning and drying. The oil will act as a sealant, making the pot shiny and protecting it from oxidation.

Ceramic

To clean a ceramic pot or pan, soak it with warm water and dish detergent to loosen any residual material. Then, scrub the item to remove any remaining dirt. You can also use a sanitising bleach and water solution on ceramic items. Fill the pot with the solution, let it sit for 2 minutes, then pour the solution down the drain and let the pot air dry.

General Tips

Toothpaste is another effective cleaner for removing scratches, marks, dirt, or grime. Use a non-silica toothpaste and apply it with a cloth, then rinse and dry the item.

For regular cleaning, wash your pots and pans with dish soap and water. You can also add a thin layer of mineral oil to the exterior to promote shine and protect the item.

Frequently asked questions