How to Clean Dishes, Pots & Pans with Baking Soda

Got a baked-on, cooked-on mess? If dish soap and scrubbies aren’t doing the trick? A baking soda soak can make a big difference!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baking Soda
• Dirty Dishes

1. Fill sink with water and regular measure of dish soap. Do not add baking soda at this point as it can prevent the dish soap from producing suds as normal.

2. Sprinkle a solid coat of baking soda over the trouble areas of the pans. You should not be able to see the color of the troubled area through the baking soda.

3. Gently set pans in soapy water. You want the baking soda to get wet, but not fully disperse in the water. Leave to soak for several minutes or more. Seriously burned or scorched pans may require extended soaking time.

4. Wash dirty pans as normal. If you are unable to clean the mess entirely in one soak, apply more baking soda and allow for a second soaking.

Tips & Warnings

• Serious stuck on food may require longer soaking time.
• Rinse slightly longer than normal. Baking soda is well rinsed when dishes are no longer slippery.
• Dishes, pots and pans will be VERY slippery. Use care not to drop them during the wash.
• May not be safe for teflon surfaces. I have used on teflon without any problem, but I can't promise you will have the same result.

[fascinated]

on 9/2/2009 Thanks for this tip! I plan to try it this week.

[mchapman]

on 6/19/2008 My hero, Baking soda great article.....Mary

[bront3]

on 6/8/2008 This absolutely works and is so much better for the environment than chemical cleansers!

[Desula]

on 6/8/2008 Thanks for this information on using baking soda to clean up dishes, pots and pans. I use baking soda and water, throw it in the "trouble pan" bring it to a boil and it cleans right up.

[Gracie1402]

on 6/8/2008 this is a great article!