If you have stainless steel cookware in your kitchen, you know that it barely lives up to its name. It hardly remains stainless!
The harsh chemicals, the heavy price tags and their toxic nature. With these in mind, why even own anything stainless?
Deadliest of all sights is a burnt stainless steel pan. And adding to the insult is the useless cleaning products that make lofty promises to bring back the shine to your stainless steel.
Here are some home remedies to clean your stainless steel cookware and utensils and restore their flawless self without using any harmful chemicals:
Contents
Method 1: Using Baking Soda and Water
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Burnt stainless steel pan
Step 1. Pour water and baking soda into a pan
Place your burnt pan on a stovetop burner. Pour in about an inch of water and turn on the heat.
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the water.
Baking soda effervesces in water to cut and lift dirt, oil and grease from the pan.
Step 2. Bring it to a boil
Bring the mixture to a boil. As the mixture begins to boil, you will notice that the stains loosen and come off easily, removing most of the burnt marks.
Step 3. Scrub off the residue
After removing the pan from the heat and disposing of the contents, clean off the remaining burnt residue with a scrubber sponge and a mixture of soda and water.
Rinse thoroughly and your pan is like new.
Method 2: Using Vinegar and Water
Things you’ll need:
- Vinegar – 4 tablespoons
- Water – 1 cup
- Burnt stainless steel pan
Step 1. Pour water and vinegar into a pan
Pour 1 cup of water into your burnt pan and add 4 tablespoons of vinegar.
Vinegar is mostly acetic acid and thus cuts through all the oil and grease stuck to the pan.
Step 2. Bring it to a boil
Turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
You will notice, as the mixture boils, all the marks and stains loosen from the walls of the pan and come off.
Step 3. Scrub off the residue
By this time, most of the stains on your pan are already gone.
However, for some of those stubborn stains, scrub them off using dish washing liquid soap and warm water and bring back the lost luster.
Method 3: Using Lemon and Water
Things you’ll need:
- Lemon– 1
- Water – 1 cup
- Burnt stainless steel pan
Step 1. Pour water and lemon juice into a pan
Add 1 cup of water and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into the pan.
The high acid content in lemons offers antibacterial and antiseptic properties for cleaning stainless steel.
Step 2. Bring it to a boil
Boil the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes or until you notice the burnt scraps coming off easily.
Step 3. Scrub off the residue
Scrub off the remaining residue using lemon peel. You will see most of the marks loosening and coming off easily.
Finish with washing and rinsing the pan in regular dish soap and water.
Additional Tips
- Wipe away any water marks from the utensils using a wet, thick and clean towel.
- Do not use abrasives on stainless steel as they can cause permanent wear and scratching.
- Rinse them off before you place them in the dishwasher and then treat for specific stains.
- Acids can discolor any surface area if overexposed for a long time. Hence, do not leave a stainless steel surface wet with vinegar.
I am a 76 yr o;d guy and have always believed in the seemingly unlimited power of vinegar, and especially baking soda. I am a true believer in all these products and highly recommend anyone to give them a try.
Additionally, whenever the wife cooks a meal which requires tomato paste or other stain making food I grab the empty pan while it is still hot and add water and dish soap on low heat to clean while we are eating. Then I turn it up to hi-heat and clean. It sure makes the job a lot easier. Stubborn stains are then removed with the baking soda and water while pan is still hot
Dear Tucker
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.
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-Team FabHow