We all know that a little bit of baking soda and vinegar can go a long way when it comes to household cleaning. There are plenty of DIYs out there using these two as the main ingredients. Karen Lee of ecokaren uses a vinegar and baking soda recipe to clean her stainless steel pots and pans. What makes her process different is that she has replaced your normal scouring pad with a piece of aluminum foil.
There is no longer a need for Brillo or copper pads. Just add a piece of foil to the mix, then gently scrub, rinse, and dry.
Read More: Read the full tutorial at ecokaren
(Images: ecokaren)
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I'll never understand why people use toxic cleaners on their eating utensils.
I've been thinking about trying to find a homemade, natural version of regular dish soap. That is, without having to hunt down obscure ingredients like glycerin. Any ideas?
Does the thought of aluminum foil scraping across metal set anyone else's teeth on edge? That provokes a reaction much like nails on a chalkboard.
I did a quick search on the site and found this nice post that includes a few alternatives. I am a fan of the Castile soap with essential oils... http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to/how-to-make-homemade-dish-soap-and-dishwasher-detergent-103226
Thanks for mentioning my method of cleaning stainless steel pan Rikkianne!
@Penguin Dreams - Actually, if you use this cleaning formula, you don't even have to scrape the pan with the aluminum foil. The stain literally dissolves away - depending on how burnt and stuck on the stain is, of course...Aluminum reacts with baking bubbling soda and vinegar and lifts the stain off the pan. And it also makes the foil soft and pliable so if you have to scrub, it's no like scratching your nail against the chalkboard (goosebumps!)
Thanks ecokaren. I feel better now. :)
I put hot water in my ss pans and let it sit on the warm burner after I'm done cooking and I've never had a problem with food sticking. But this is good to keep in mind if I ever get something more stubborn or just want to shine up the finish.
Bon Ami powder is non toxic and eco friendly...and cheap. Or Dr.Bronners.
Aluminum foil is what my mom has been using for years - it works much better at scrubbing than any brillo pad I've ever used.
uh, but is aluminum foil bad for the environment too? the production of aluminuim uses huge ammounts of energy and forrests are cleared to get to the mineral deposits. And if not rinsed properly: aluminium is toxic too! (there goes the water)
@Abbytail: I totally agree but so does mining for steel for SS pots and pans. But unless I go and buy a new set of cast iron cookware (because non-stick pots and pans are not so safe and I only have two iron skillets at the moment), then, I'm stuck (no pun intended) with my SS pots and pans. And compared to commercial cleaning agents, I think a little bit of aluminum foil & Baking Soda and Vinegar duo is much better for us and the environment. Of couse, if you get down to it, sourcing baking soda is not so environmentally great either.
So I'm going to choose what's best of the environment, without wasting more resources by buying new pots and pans and toxic cleaning agents. Of course, I wouldn't have to worry about any of this if I don't burn my pans! :)
@JP456 - Bon Ami and Dr. Bonner are great too! But if you run out of them and you are in a pickle, this little emergency method will also do the trick. :)
I soak my pans in some water for a half hour or so and then use a steel scrubber pad. It hasn't ever scratched the pans. I don't even have to scrub hard because by that point, the stains are softened by the water. It's really easy.