How to Remove Plastic From a Cookie Sheet

Maintaining cookie sheets keeps them functional.

A plastic container or plastic-coated baking utensil accidentally set on a hot cookie sheet quickly turns into a melted plastic mess. Left unattended, the plastic renders the cookie sheet useless as the plastic will melt, spread and harden in cycles each time the cookie sheet is used. By removing the melted plastic, you restore your bakeware to usable condition. The proper cleaning techniques and supplies allow you to get the plastic off the cookie sheet without damaging the bakeware itself.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic zip bag
• Ice cubes
• Plastic scraper
• Paper towels
• Nail polish remover
• Dishwashing detergent
• Nylon mesh sponge
• Kitchen towel

Instructions

1. 

   Ice cubes quickly solidify melted plastic.

   Fill a plastic zip bag with ice cubes to create an ice bag large enough to cover the plastic stain. Lay the ice bag on top of the plastic stain and allow it to remain there until the plastic is hardened.

2. Remove the ice bag from the cookie sheet and set it aside in case you need it again. Insert the edge of the plastic scraper under one edge of the melted plastic. Move the scraper in a side-to-side motion beneath the hardened plastic to pry the plastic from the cookie sheet. If the plastic breaks during the removal process, discard the broken piece and repeat this step to remove the rest.

3. Saturate one or two paper towels with nail polish remover. Place the paper towels over the remaining plastic residue. Leave the nail polish remover-soaked towels in place for five to 10 minutes to dissolve the plastic. Wipe off the softened plastic, then continue to remove any last traces of plastic in this manner.

4. Apply a few drops of dishwashing detergent to a damp nylon mesh sponge. Scrub the cookie sheet to remove nail polish remover. Rinse the cookie sheet with water and dry it with a clean kitchen towel.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid a melted plastic stain, use a metal or wooden spatula when removing cookies from a hot cookie sheet.

• As an alternate method to remove plastic from a cookie sheet, place the cookie sheet in a warm oven and allow the plastic to liquefy. Remove the cookie sheet and scrape the melted plastic off with a wooden scraper. Clean remaining residue off with nail polish remover, once the cookie sheet has cooled.

• Allow a hot cookie sheet to cool on hot pads or a cooling rack before setting it on or near plastic surfaces.

References

• Good Housekeeping; "Plastic Meltdown"; Heloise
• Reader's Digest: How to Really Use Nail Polish Remover