Cody Casey
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that can be used to clean pots and pans. It is a non-toxic, inexpensive household item with mild abrasive properties that can eliminate burnt-on food and tough stains. Baking soda can be used to clean stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron, and most other types of cookware. It can be mixed with water to form a paste, which can then be applied to the stained area and left for a few minutes before being scrubbed off. For tougher stains, the paste can be left overnight. For heavy-duty cleaning, baking soda can be combined with vinegar, which will create a foaming reaction that can help break down burnt-on food.
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What You'll Learn
Removing burnt-on food
Baking Soda and Water
Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt areas of the pan. Apply this paste liberally to the affected areas and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight. Then, scrub the pan with a nylon brush or non-stick surface-safe sponge. For more stubborn stains, add more baking soda and scrub again. Finally, wash and dry the pan as you normally would.
Baking Soda, Water, and Vinegar
Fill the pan with water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Bring this mixture to a boil for about 10-15 minutes. Then, discard the hot solution and sprinkle baking soda on the remaining burnt food. For a more heavy-duty clean, add white vinegar to the pan, creating a fizzing reaction. Once the fizzing stops, scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge or nylon brush. Rinse the pan and repeat the process if necessary.
Baking Soda and Lemon
For stainless steel or copper cookware, lemons are an excellent way to clean and shine. Cut a lemon in half and use one half to scrub the pan, adding a quarter cup of baking soda. The fizzing reaction will help loosen burnt bits. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
Baking Soda and Alkaline Solution
Create an alkaline solution by dissolving as much baking soda as possible in hot water. Bring this solution to a rolling boil in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, remove from heat and use a spatula to scrape away any burnt-on food. Repeat this process as needed, adding more water to avoid boiling dry.
Tips:
- For cast iron pans, avoid using water, soap, and acidic items like vinegar or lemon juice as they can cause rust and damage the pan's seasoning.
- Soaking the pan in hot water before using baking soda can help loosen burnt-on food.
- For extremely burnt pans, a non-stick safe scrubber or scouring pad may be necessary to remove stubborn residue.
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Removing tough stains
Baking soda is a versatile, eco-friendly, and inexpensive ingredient that can be used to remove tough stains from pans. It is non-toxic and safe to use, making it a great alternative to chemical-based cleaners. Here are some ways you can use baking soda to remove tough stains from your pans:
For Non-Stick Pans
To remove stubborn stains from non-stick pans, create a solution by boiling 4 tablespoons of baking soda and half a cup of water in the pan. Let the pan cool, and then rinse the stain with straight baking soda and a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush. For more resistant stains, sprinkle the pan with baking soda and add a little water to create a paste or slurry. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, and then scrub off the food residue with a scouring pad or sponge.
For Stainless Steel Pans
For stainless steel pans, you can follow a similar process as above, but with a stronger approach. Add a quarter to half a cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and scrub off the film of baking soda and food residue with a scrub sponge or brush while the pan is still hot.
For Ceramic Pans
For ceramic pans, soak the pan in warm, soapy water for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda over the pan and scrub away food residue and stains with a sponge. For stubborn stains, add some white distilled vinegar to the paste. Avoid using acidic items like vinegar or lemon juice when cleaning cast iron pans, as they can cause rust.
For Cookie Sheets
For cookie sheets, make a thick paste of baking soda and ordinary household hydrogen peroxide. Apply this paste all over the stained area and wait for about two hours. No heavy scrubbing is required; simply rub the area with your fingers or a sponge, and the stain should come off easily.
For Cast Iron Pans
When cleaning cast iron pans, refrain from soaking them in water or soap. Instead, sprinkle baking soda onto burnt-on food or stains and rub it into the stain. For more resistant stains, sprinkle the pan with baking soda, add a little water, and bring it to a boil for 5 to 10 minutes.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that reacts with mild acids like vinegar and lemon juice to create a foaming cleaner. This chemical reaction enhances its stain-removing power. It is also effective at eliminating lingering food odours from your cookware.
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Cleaning non-stick pans
Non-stick pans are a popular choice for their easy-to-clean coating and stick-free cooking surface. However, they can be more delicate than other types of cookware, so it's important to treat them with care. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions for cleaning non-stick pans using baking soda:
- Let the pan cool: Always let your non-stick pan cool down completely before cleaning it. Extreme changes in temperature, like going from the stove to cold water, can warp your pan.
- Handwash with care: Start by rinsing your pan with warm water. Then, using warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth, gently handwash the pan. Avoid using scouring pads, steel wool, metal utensils, or anything too abrasive as they can scratch the coating.
- Remove stubborn stains: For stubborn stains or burnt-on food, create a mixture of baking soda and water directly in your non-stick pan. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient depending on the severity of the stain. A good starting point is a slurry made with two tablespoons of baking soda and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Make a paste or slurry: Mix the baking soda and water together to form a paste or slurry. You can also add a small amount of vinegar to enhance its cleaning power.
- Let it sit: Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes or up to 30 minutes for tougher stains. This gives the baking soda time to work on loosening the burnt-on food or stains.
- Scrub gently: Using a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush, a non-abrasive sponge, or the soft side of a dish sponge, gently scrub away the food residue or stains. Be careful not to use anything too abrasive, as it can damage the non-stick coating.
- Rinse and repeat if needed: Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any excess baking soda and residue. If necessary, repeat the process, allowing the mixture to sit for longer or overnight for particularly stubborn stains.
- Dry thoroughly: Once your pan is clean, dry it thoroughly with a towel or cloth. Prevent water spots by always drying your pans immediately after washing and rinsing.
Additional Tips:
- For burnt pans, fill the pan with water and add 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Bring the mixture to a boil, then let it simmer for several minutes. Remove from heat, discard the solution, and rinse the pan with warm water. Finish by washing the pan in warm, soapy water and towel-drying it.
- To remove water spots, dampen your pan and rub it with a moist sponge and baking soda.
- Avoid using vinegar with baking soda as they can cancel each other out, making the cleaning process less effective.
- Avoid cleaning methods that use salt, as it can lead to pitting in non-stick coatings.
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Removing lingering food smells
Baking soda is a well-known natural cleaner that can be used to remove lingering food smells. It is particularly effective at neutralising acidic odours, but it can also eliminate other types of smells. Here are some ways to use baking soda to remove lingering food smells:
In the Fridge
Place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb food odours. For particularly strong smells, you may need to open the entire box and spread some baking soda on a plate. Alternatively, you can mix baking soda with water and use the solution to wash the inside of your fridge. Let the fridge air-dry.
In the Microwave
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of water in an uncovered, microwave-safe container. Place the container in the microwave and turn it on high for three minutes. Then, wipe down the interior of the microwave.
In the Dishwasher
Dump a cup of baking soda into the dishwasher and run it through a rinse cycle to eliminate food smells and foul odours.
On Carpets, Rugs, and Mattresses
Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, or mattresses and let it sit for up to an hour. Then, vacuum the area to remove the baking soda and the absorbed odours.
In the Oven
Make a paste with half a cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water. Scrub the oven with this paste to remove food smells and stains.
While baking soda is an effective odour absorber, it may not work on extremely strong smells or odours that have built up over time. In these cases, you may need to use a stronger product or address the root cause of the odour. Additionally, baking soda does not prevent odours from building up, so proper ventilation and regular cleaning are important to maintain a fresh-smelling space.
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Using baking soda with vinegar
Baking soda is a great natural cleaner for pans with burnt-on food and tough stains. It is non-toxic, inexpensive, and has mild abrasive properties. When combined with vinegar, it can be even more effective. Here are some ways to use baking soda with vinegar to clean your pans:
Boiling Method
This method is suitable for all pans except cast iron, which can create rust when exposed to vinegar. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add water to the pan and bring it to a boil. Next, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and reduce the heat to a gentle boil for 15 to 30 minutes. The brown residue should start to flake off. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. For stubborn stains, add some white distilled or apple cider vinegar to the pan, creating a paste or slurry. Use a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush to scrub away the remaining residue. Finally, rinse and wash the pan as usual.
Soaking Method
This method is ideal for roasting pans with stuck-on food. Sprinkle the pan generously with baking soda. Combine 1 cup of hot water and 1/3 cup of vinegar, creating a fizzing solution. Pour the mixture into the pan and let it soak for a few hours. Use a spatula to scrape the surface, then continue to soak. Finally, wash the pan with straight baking soda and a scrubbing brush.
Deglazing Method
This method is perfect for loosening burnt-on food. First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Put the pan on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles. Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup white vinegar to the hot pan and let it boil. Use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food. Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda and let it cool. Use a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush to scrub the pan vigorously. Wash and dry the pan as usual once all stains and scorched bits are removed.
Lemon Scrub Method
This method is suitable for stainless steel or copper cookware. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Keep a thin layer of water in the pan and sprinkle the bottom 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 acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly. Scrub the pan, including the sides, then rinse and dry it with a cloth.
It is important to note that while baking soda and vinegar can be combined for a stronger cleaning effect, they should not be mixed beforehand as it can cause a fizzing reaction that may cause the mixture to boil over. Always exercise caution when handling hot pans and avoid using abrasive cleaning tools that can scratch your cookware.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, add water to the pan and bring it to a boil. Sprinkle in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and scrub the pan with a sponge or brush. Rinse with hot water and wash with dish soap.
Yes, but be careful not to use metal tools or scrubbing pads as these can damage the non-stick surface. Instead, use a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush or a sponge. You can also try mixing baking soda with water to form a paste, applying it to the pan, and letting it sit for several hours before rinsing and washing the pan.
Lemon juice, vinegar, and salt are all effective cleaning agents that can be combined with baking soda to create a stronger cleaning solution.
