How to clean stainless steel pans without scratching?

Abby
by Abby

I love my stainless steel pans, but they desperately need a good cleaning. I'm so worried about scratching them though. Any helpful tips to prevent scratches?



  12 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 29, 2017

    White vinegar and water 50/50 and a microfiber cloth

  • Tws20857656 Tws20857656 on Jun 29, 2017

    Go to your Dollar Store and purchase AWESOME it works.

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on Jun 29, 2017

    Simple Green works well for that .

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 23, 2018

    Stainless steel liquid cleaner or Barkeeper Friend

  • Toye Toye on Apr 23, 2018

    Mr Clean magic eraser.

  • Shoshana Shoshana on Apr 24, 2018

    Baking soda is my go to kitchen appliance scrub.

  • CeeJay CeeJay on Oct 04, 2017

    Spray with oven cleaner, place pan in plastic bag per instructions to allow cleaner to work without drying out. Rinse and scrub with non-scratching scrubber. For stubborn remains I would feel comfortable using a very fine (#0000) steel wool, not kitchen steel wool products, to polish away stains.

    • Arneewin Arneewin on Apr 05, 2021

      oven cleaner can ruin the finish of your pan so be careful with this solution.

  • Barbara Baldwin Barbara Baldwin on Oct 05, 2017

    Brillo pads. I keep a used one in the freezer so it won't rust. Btw, I have a pan just like yours. The pad won't scratch it.

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Oct 31, 2021

    Use a microfiber cloth and barkeepers friend

  • Bar Keeper's Friend, either the powder or the liquid, and a gentle scrubby should help get a bunch of gunk off.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 02, 2021

    Make a paste with baking soda and water and spread it onto the pan, best done in the sink. Let this set overnight and then in the morning scrub with the coarser side of a scrubbie sponge from the dollar store. Repeat as needed.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 13, 2022

    • Use the Right Tools - Always use a non-abrasive or “stainless steel approved scrubber”. Stay away from mechanically abrasive scrubbers like steel wool or wire scrubbers. When stainless steel is scratched, it becomes vulnerable to corrosion.
    • Scrub with the Grain - Stainless steel has polish lines that look similar to grain lines. Always scrub parallel with the polish lines.
    • Avoid Chlorides - Exposure to chlorides over time can result in stainless steel becoming pitted, which makes the surface vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Chlorides are present in salt, hard water, and chlorinated cleaners.