How to Easily Clean Stains & Water Marks on Stainless Steel Pots & Pans

Vinegar can help you get stains off your stainless steel cookware.

Stains are common on pots and pans, and water marks are especially common on stainless steel cookware. The water marks form when you forget to dry the cookware or let it air dry, leaving you with cloudy and unattractive marks all over your pots and pans. Instead of scrubbing relentlessly to no avail, add vinegar to quickly break up the stain residue and water marks.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Dish soap
• Nylon scouring pad
• Dish towel

Instructions

1. Soak a nylon scouring pad with white vinegar and scrub across any water marks. The vinegar will quickly dissolve the water marks.

2. Fill the pots and pans with an equal solution of water and white vinegar, making sure all stains are submerged with the liquid solution.

3. Put the pot or pan on your stove burner, bring the liquid to a boil and allow to boil for five minutes.

4. Allow the liquid to cool slightly, then discard it. Scrub the pan with soapy dish water and a nylon scouring pad. Rinse the pot and dry with a dish towel.

References

• "Reader's Digest": 20 Ways to Easily Clean Pots and Pans
• Vinegar Tips: Cleaning
• Michigan State University: Homemade Cleaners