Fire too high, cook too long, food burnt...
In the kitchen, our pots and pans see all the colors!
As a result, stubborn stains develop on the bottom.
And no matter how hard you rub, the burnt spots just won't go away!
Fortunately, here are 7 simple and effective tips for cleaning all types of pots and pans in your kitchen.
Stainless steel, copper, glass, Pyrex, Teflon…to restore your pan or saucepan to its full shine, follow our easy guide. Watch:
Click here to easily print this guide in PDF.
- For small stains: make a paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of hot water + 2 tablespoons of baking soda and rub with a scraping sponge.
- For stubborn stains: soak the pan or saucepan in 2 liters of hot water and 50 g of baking soda.
- For ultra-stubborn stains: rub with a baking soda paste + hydrogen peroxide (in equal parts) and leave to act for 20 min. Or, soak in a mixture of 250 ml of hydrogen peroxide + 2 tablespoons of baking soda, then leave to act for 1 hour.
Note: baking soda is mildly abrasive and ideal for refinishing stainless steel pots and pans – but not stainless steel appliances.
- For small stains: make your own aluminum cleaner by mixing white Meudon and water (in equal parts). Rub on the aluminum then rinse with lukewarm water.
- For stubborn stains: make a mixture of 500 ml of water + 60 ml of white vinegar + 2 tablespoons of Blanc de Meudon. Bring to a boil in the pan to be cleaned. You can also soak aluminum utensils in it that need to be cleaned. Leave to act for 1 hour, rub with a scraping sponge and do a final cleaning with dishwashing liquid.
- For stubborn stains: put the glass dish in the sink and fill with enough hot water to cover it. Add 50 g of baking soda and leave to soak for a few minutes. Use an anti-scratch scraper sponge to scrub, then clean with warm soapy water.
- For stubborn stains &to shine copper: drizzle the pan with white vinegar and sprinkle with salt. Pour again very slowly a little white vinegar on top. Then, use an anti-scratch sponge to scrub, rinse with water and dry by hand.
Few people know that cast iron requires a special treatment to make it non-stick:seasoning .
Generally, cast iron pots and pans are sold with a thin layer of seasoning. But here's how to deal with a pan that has never been seasoned:
- For a pan that has never been seasoned: wash in warm soapy water then dry completely with a towel. Rub a thin layer of vegetable oil on the cast iron and bake for 1 hour at 175ºC.
It is this layer of seasoning that prevents most foods from sticking to cast iron skillets and pots.
- For small stains: make a vegetable oil + coarse salt paste and use a cloth to rub the affected area. Rinse with water and pat dry.
- For stubborn stains: if the previous cleaning did not work, use a paste of 1 teaspoon of hot water + 2 tablespoons of salt and rub with a cloth.
- For ultra-stubborn stains: scrub with a stiff bristle brush. Rinse the pan and dry it completely. If the cast iron has dried out, wipe it with a little oil or season it again.
To discover: 10 Benefits of Using a Cast Iron Skillet for Cooking.
- For small stains: prepare a paste by mixing 50 g of baking soda + 2 tablespoons of hot water then scrub with a soft-bristled dish brush.
- For stubborn stains: fill the pan or saucepan to be cleaned with boiling water. Add 50 g of bicarbonate and leave to act for 1 hour. Rinse with clean water and wash with dish soap.
Do never use the scraping side of your sponge to rub a non-stick coating such as Teflon or anodized aluminum.
The only way to get rid of stains is to use a more powerful washing-up liquid.
Any dishwashing liquid that says "ultra-concentrated" or "super-degreaser" on the label will do.
- For all stains: pour hot water and washing-up liquid into the pot or pan to be cleaned, then scrub the stains with a non-abrasive sponge or soft bristle brush. This will do the job on all non-stick coatings.
Note: cleaning instructions for pots and pans may vary by manufacturer. Therefore, always consult the user manual before trying a new product.
Have you tried these grandma's tricks for cleaning all types of pots and pans? Let us know in the comments if it worked. We can't wait to read you!
