Cody Casey
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that can be used to clean pans and remove tough spots, stubborn grime, and burnt food residue. When mixed with water, it forms a mild abrasive paste that can be used to scrub away stains and scorch marks. This natural cleaner is safe for use on stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron, and most other types of cookware. It is also non-toxic and inexpensive. To use baking soda for cleaning pans, one can boil a solution of baking soda and water in the pan, let it cool, and then rinse and scrub the pan. This method is particularly effective for removing lingering food smells and flavours from non-stick pans.
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What You'll Learn
Removing burnt-on food and tough stains
Baking soda is a safe, non-toxic, and cheap option to clean your pans and get rid of tough spots, stains, and burnt-on food. It can be used on stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron, and most other types of cookware.
Method 1: Baking Soda and Water
- Cover the bottom of the pan with water. Be careful not to fill the pan entirely, use only enough to cover the bottom surface in about 1 inch of water.
- Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste.
- Let the pan sit for several hours, then rinse and wash the pan.
- For more stubborn stains, let the mixture of water and baking soda come to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and let it cool.
- For even more persistent stains, boil a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water in the pan. Let the pan cool, then rinse the stain with straight baking soda and a nylon scrubbing brush.
Method 2: Baking Soda, Water, and Vinegar
- Add water to the pan, enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Bring the water to a boil, then transfer the pan to the sink without dumping out the water.
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
- Let the pan sit for a few minutes while the vinegar and baking soda react and fizz.
- Scrub the pan with a sponge, then wash with soap and water.
Other Tips
For ceramic pans, soak the pan in warm, soapy water for 30 minutes. Use a grease-busting dish soap. Sprinkle baking soda over the pan and scrub away food residue and stains using a scrubby sponge.
For cast iron pans, refrain from soaking in water, soap, and acidic items like vinegar or lemon juice, as these can cause rust.
If the above methods do not work, you can try using a degreaser, or a non-stick safe scrub pad with straight ammonia.
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Cleaning non-stick pans
Boiling baking soda and water is an effective way to clean non-stick pans. It can remove lingering food smells and flavours, and it works as a mild abrasive to help clean stubborn stains and scorched oil. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning non-stick pans using baking soda:
Step 1:
Start by covering the bottom of your non-stick pan with a layer of water. The amount of water you use will depend on the size of your pan, but ensure that it is enough to cover the surface.
Step 2:
Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. You can also add more baking soda to make a thicker paste or slurry if you are dealing with stubborn stains. The baking soda will react with the water, creating a mild abrasive that is safe for non-stick surfaces.
Step 3:
Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for several minutes. The simmering action will help loosen any burned-on food, stains, or scorched oil. Be careful, as the mixture may boil over, so keep the heat low.
Step 4:
After simmering for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the pan in a sink or bowl of cold water. Do not proceed to the next step until the pan is no longer hot to the touch.
Step 5:
Once the pan has cooled, dump out the contents. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining residue or baking soda. Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean cloth or let it air dry.
Additional Tips:
- For especially stubborn stains, you can repeat the process or let the baking soda and water solution sit in the pan for several hours before rinsing.
- If you want to restore the shine to the exterior of your pan, turn it upside down, and sprinkle baking soda over the bottom. Pour vinegar over the baking soda, and use a half lemon as a "scrub brush" to scrub the exterior. Rinse and dry the pan afterward.
- Always use a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush or sponge when cleaning non-stick pans to avoid damaging the coating.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your non-stick pans using the natural cleaning power of baking soda and water.
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Using baking soda as an abrasive
Baking soda is a non-toxic, inexpensive household ingredient with mild abrasive properties. It can be used to eliminate burned-on food, tough stains, and lingering food odours from pans.
To use baking soda as an abrasive to clean a pan, first, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water. Then, sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the water to create a paste or slurry. For more resistant stains, add a few tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice to the mix before boiling. The acid in the vinegar or lemon juice will react with the alkaline baking soda to create a foaming cleaner, enhancing its cleaning power.
Let the paste sit for several hours or, for best results, overnight. Then, scrub the pan with a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad. Do not use soap or steel wool, as these can scratch your cookware. For tougher stains, you may need to repeat the process.
Finally, rinse and dry the pan thoroughly. For cast iron pans, it is important to refrain from using water, soap, or acidic items like vinegar or lemon juice, as these can cause rust. Instead, use a dry, non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush to remove the baking soda residue.
Baking soda is a versatile and effective cleaner that can be used on various surfaces, including stove tops, countertops, and even carpeted floors. Its mild abrasive properties make it ideal for removing stubborn stains and build-up without damaging the surface of your cookware.
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Combining with vinegar
Combining baking soda and vinegar has been a topic of discussion for cleaning pans, and while some people believe in this method, others argue that it is ineffective. The chemistry behind this combination reveals that vinegar and baking soda are on opposite ends of the pH scale, which, in theory, could make them a powerful cleaning duo.
However, when you mix baking soda and vinegar, they react to form water and carbon dioxide, resulting in foaming that may give the impression of effective cleaning. But, in reality, the foaming action does not contribute to the cleaning process. Separately, these two ingredients can be excellent cleaning agents. Baking soda, a mild abrasive, can help remove stubborn stains and scorched oil when combined with water. Vinegar, on its own, is also a well-known cleaning agent, although it may not work on certain surfaces like Teflon pans.
To use baking soda for cleaning pans, you can create a paste or slurry by mixing it with water. Apply this paste to the pan, let it sit for several hours, and then rinse and wash the pan. For more stubborn stains, you can try boiling a solution of baking soda and water in the pan, letting it cool, and then scrubbing the stains with a non-stick-safe nylon brush.
If you want to incorporate vinegar into your pan-cleaning routine, a better approach is to use it separately from baking soda. For example, you can first treat the pan with a baking soda paste and then add some white distilled vinegar to enhance the cleaning effect. Alternatively, you can try using vinegar and baking soda consecutively. First, boil a solution of vinegar and water in the pan. Then, after removing the pan from the heat, sprinkle baking soda over it. This method can be particularly effective for restoring the shine to copper-bottomed pans.
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Other cleaning methods
If you're looking for alternative ways to clean your pans, there are several household ingredients and methods that can help cut through grease and lift away stuck-on grime. Here are some detailed instructions for different methods:
Dish Soap and Warm Water Soak
- Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water and warm it up on low heat.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to the pan and submerge a dryer sheet in the water.
- Let the mixture sit for about an hour.
- Remove and discard the dryer sheet, then rinse the pan using a scouring pad and dish soap.
Lemon and Water Boil
- Quarter two or three lemons and place them in the pan.
- Fill the pan with a few inches of water and bring it to a boil for 5-10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.
- Discard the water and lemons, then rinse the pan.
- Use a scouring pad to remove any remaining bits of food residue.
Dishwasher Tablet Scrub
- Remove the wrapper from a dishwasher tablet and, wearing gloves, scrape it over the scorched area of the pan.
- Use a brush or scouring pad to remove any remaining marks.
- Rinse the pan with hot water and wash with dish soap and a clean sponge.
- Dry the pan with a clean dish towel.
Baking Soda and Aluminium Foil Scrub
- Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda across the burnt area of the pan.
- Add just enough hot water to form a paste.
- Crumble a piece of aluminium foil into a ball and use it to scrub away stuck-on residue.
- Rinse the pan with hot water and wash with dish soap.
- Dry the pan with a clean dish towel.
Vinegar and Water Boil
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil.
- Transfer the pan to the sink without dumping out the liquid.
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
- Scrub the pan with a sponge, then wash it with soap and water.
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Frequently asked questions
You should add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, which is usually about 1 cup of water or 240 mL. Be careful not to use too much water, as it may boil over.
You can use 2 tablespoons of baking soda or 4 tablespoons if the stains are stubborn.
Baking soda can be used to clean stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron, and most other types of cookware.
Let the mixture simmer for several minutes or up to an hour if necessary.
After boiling and removing the pan from the heat, let the mixture sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub the pan with a sponge and wash it with soap and water.
