Tired of spending too much time washing pots and pans? Instead of using harsh cleaning chemicals to get the job done, consider some eco-friendly alternatives that work just as well. Won’t let you breathe in harsh or steaming fumes for how long you spend cleaning! All-natural ingredients like ketchup, for example, can help you get the job done right and save the cookware while you’re at it. This is called green cleaning!
01 Harness the power of water
Get in the habit of soaking pots and pans in a little hot water before cleaning them. Simple soaking often works wonders for easily removing fat and stuck food. Plus, it saves you time cleaning. Finish off with some elbow grease using green dish soap and an eco-friendly washing tool.
02 Fight foods blocked with baking soda and vinegar
Shake some baking soda on the bottom of pots and pans and scrub. If the stuck food doesn’t move, add some vinegar. Let it sit for a while and then get to work scrubbing with some green dish soap.
Note: Do not use pure baking soda with non-stick cookware as it may scratch the surface. Instead, try using a solution of equal parts water and baking soda for several minutes.
03 Remove burnt foods with lime and salt
Have you ever burned something in a pan that was so bad that it seemed destined for the trash can (or rather, the trash can)? Before giving up, try soaking it with a mixture of fresh lime juice and salt for several minutes. Then scrub with more salt. You will be amazed at the ease with which burnt food rises.
04 Clean stainless steel effortlessly
Add some water with a touch of green dish soap to the pan and bring it to a boil. Then let it cool down a bit and clean the pan. You will notice that it will dramatically reduce cleaning time and leave your stainless steel pots and pans sparkling and shiny! Also, try other eco-friendly methods for cleaning burnt stainless steel cookware.
05 Keep the copper pots bright
Spread some ketchup (which works well because it contains vinegar) or a mixture of water, salt, and lemon juice on copper pots and pans, and then rinse well. Polish dry and notice that gorgeous, brilliant sheen. Try other ways to clean and polish unpainted and lacquered copper without chemicals.
06 Wash the iron pots
The debate about how to clean iron is intense, so here are three eco-friendly methods:
- Sift with coarse salt and then rinse well or
- Use only water and a green scrub tool (but what about rancid oils?) OR
- Use hot water and some dish soap.
Let it sit for a while and then get to work scrubbing with some green dish soap.
What is not discussed is that to prevent rust, iron pots must be dried thoroughly and then lightly cleaned with vegetable oil, such as sunflower or coconut oil.
07 Correctly remove stains from porcelain
Immerse the pots in a mixture of hot water and one of the following: oxygen-based bleach, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or vinegar.
Note: Avoid mixing vinegar with chlorine bleach or it will create toxic chlorine gas.
08 Use water for woks
To clean your wok and still keep it seasoned, skip the soap. Simply use hot water and an eco-friendly brush like a Japanese tawashi, which is a natural brush made of coconut fiber, to scrape off the bits of food. Dry and then follow with a light coat of oil.
09 Cut the fat with the vinegar
Useful for cleaning many different things around the house, vinegar is great for breaking down the grease on dirty, sticky pots and pans. Simply spray your pans with an all-purpose spray of vinegar. Then wash with green dish soap. Here you are! No more greasy residues.
10 Dip the oil with baking soda
If there is some fat left in the pan, sprinkle with some baking soda. The oils will adhere and form lumps, making them easier to dispose of in the trash. You will also avoid future drain clogging problems.
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