I Just Discovered This $1 Expert-Approved Trick for Cleaning My Stainless Steel Pan, and I’ll Never Go Back

When it comes to cleaning stainless steel pans, it can be tricky to figure out the best methods for getting them sparkling clean (hello, dried-on bits and murky brown stains!) without damaging the surface. Luckily, I spoke to a few top-notch cleaning experts about their favorite tips and tricks, so you can get your pans looking brand-new in no time — here’s everything they had to say.

One of the best ways to remove tough stains on stainless steel pans is to mix 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar with hot water, according to Maria Mock, president of Molly Maid. “Sprinkle baking soda over the entire pan. Then, pour vinegar over the baking soda and watch the chemical reaction between the two bubble! Leave it for a few minutes, as this helps dislodge any pieces of food. Soak the pan in hot water for 15 to 30 minutes. Don’t worry about removing the baking soda and vinegar first. Scrub the pan and rinse. Lastly, use a spatula to scrape any larger pieces and steel wool to scrub.” 

Don’t have a box of baking soda lying around? Use this tip from Ken Doty, COO and cleaning expert at The Maids, for some extra shine. Doty says baby oil is one of the best things to use for the job. “Simply mix one teaspoon of dish soap with one quart of water. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution to clean the stainless steel from the top down. Then, use another clean microfiber towel with warm water and wipe away the residue. Let it dry and rub in the baby oil, going with the grain for a brilliant finish.” Who knew baby oil could be so versatile?

If you’re looking to take off some really stubborn stains or food particles, this hack should do the trick. Mark Longenecker, co-founder of Lancaster Cast Iron, tells me how important it is to use a scraper for hard-to-get stains. “Since I started using chainmail on my cast iron, I now find myself going for it when I clean my stainless cookware as well. It’s robust enough to remove stuck-on bits of food, but gentle enough to not remove the seasoning.”

Jeff Leitman, CEO of Hell’s Kitchen Cookware, also shared his favorite best-kept cleaning secrets. “For abrasive pads, we recommend steel wool. Apply light pressure in small strokes or circles over the stained areas. If you prefer an abrasive cleaner, something like Bar Keepers Friend works wonders in bringing stainless steel back to its shiny, like-new condition.”

And there you have it — now, it’s time to test out these expert-approved tricks on your own pots and pans. Let us know in the comments below how they worked for you!