First things first: Dishwashing pots and pans is a no-go—particularly if your cookware is aluminum, says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “Aluminum may darken in the dishwasher as it reacts to minerals in the water or a number of other factors including the type of soap used,” she says. So, time to get out your kitchen gloves and get to it!
How To Clean a Burnt Pot
What You’ll Need:
Kitchen glovesHot waterLiquid dishwasher detergent or dish soapBaking sodaScrubbing brush or coarse spongeVinegarTowel or rag
Step-by-Step Guide:
Use a dry rag to wipe away the remaining water before storing.
More Secret Weapons for Cleaning Burnt Pots
High-quality cookware
“If you buy inexpensive pots and pans,” Peterson says, “they don’t heat as well and often need to be replaced sooner than ones that cost more money and are made of a more heat-resistant material.”
A gentle touch
Believe it or not, harsh cleaners and aggressive scrubbing aren’t needed typically to revive burnt pots and pans. The process above requires no commercial-grade cleaning ingredients and will help loosen debris without excessive elbow grease.
Dryer sheets
In a pinch, dryer sheets can be used as a hack for removing burnt food from pots and pans if the approach above doesn’t do it. Just fill your pan with lukewarm water and add a fresh dryer sheet, then let it sit overnight. In the morning, you’ll find that it’s much easier to scrub off remaining debris, Peterson says.
Soda
Yes, we’re talking Coke and Pepsi—Peterson swears the acid in soda can help remove burnt stains from pots. Just pour in a can, let it sit overnight, and try to peel your jaw off the kitchen countertop when the stains practically wipe themselves away the next morning.
Hot water
The hotter the water, the better, since it can help cut through tough messes, Peterson says.
Cold water
The only exception to the rule above should be applied when cleaning dairy, which tends to grow stickier with warm water, according to Peterson, who prefers cold water for cleaning cheesy dishes.
Vinegar
A mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water can help cure discoloration, Peterson says. Boil on low to medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wash with warm soapy water, rinse and towel dry.
Lemon juice
Like vinegar, the acidity in lemon juice can help restore aluminum pots and pans. (Just swap in lemon juice for vinegar and follow the directions above.) Read Next: 10 Cleaning Hacks to Save You Time and Money
