For persistent stains: Soak the interior of the cookware for 2-3 hours with a mixture of 3 tablespoons of household bleach per quart of water. To remove stubborn, baked-on food, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil for a few minutes, then use a pan scraper to loosen the food.
Materials: White vinegar and water. Method: Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar. Soak a cloth in the solution and place it on the stain for a few minutes. Gently scrub with a non-abrasive sponge, then rinse and dry. If the stains persist, you may need to re-season the cast iron:
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven
Don't fill your cast-iron cookware with wine or vinegar. A splash for sauce or deglazing is OK, but tossing a significant amount straight into the pan undiluted will ruin your cookware, and your health.
Cast Iron Cleaner
Squeeze directly onto surface or a wet cloth or soft sponge. Never use an abrasive material such as a brush or scouring pad. Loosen the soil with a rubbing action. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Stains are to be expected when you use enameled cookware and does not affect performance. To remove slight stains: Follow the steps above to clean your cookware. Rub with a dampened cloth and Lodge Enamel Cleaner or another ceramic cleaner according to directions on the bottle.
My foolproof method for cleaning my cast-iron kitchen sink is using Bar Keepers Friend with a Magic Eraser, which works every time. I've never met a scuff mark I couldn't beat.
Don't use metal utensils.
Though the surface is durable, it's always a good idea to stick with wooden, nylon, or silicone utensils to keep from scratching or chipping the enamel. And you definitely don't want to cut food within the cookware—save that for the cutting board.
Did you know BKF is safe for enameled cast iron? 🧐 Take an example from Megan, who used our Soft Cleanser to clean up the burnt-on residue left on her.
Or you can also fill the pot with warm water and a tablespoon or two of baking soda, and bring the water to a simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Once the food residue has softened, cool and drain the liquid in the pot. Rinse and dry, and you should be good to go.
Vinegar Solution
Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water, then apply the solution to the affected area using a soft cloth or sponge. Gently rub the vinegar solution onto the spots, allowing it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing with clean water.
For those stubborn stains that won't budge, a paste of baking soda and water is your best friend . Apply the paste gently on the affected area, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then wash as usual. This mild abrasive action helps lift stains without damaging the pan.
For particularly tough stains, try mixing a solution of 25% bleach and 75% baking soda in a cup. Always test the solution on a small section of your ceramic tile before you tackle the mold.
The second step to clean enamel cookware is a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power. Just empty the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture out of the pan and rinse with water. Wet the Magic Eraser and scrub the bottom and sides.
If you want to clean a ceramic iron soleplate, the very first step is unplugging it and making sure it is completely cooled down. Surface dust can be removed with lint-free cloth, but for more thorough cleaning we recommend using a vinegar and water solution – it is highly effective in most of the cases.
To remove ceramic coating marks, such as high spots or streaks, you can use a mild automotive polish and a soft foam pad to gently polish the affected area. After polishing, clean the surface with an IPA solution to remove any residue.
To remove those stubborn bits, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda for a few minutes. Then use a pan scraper to loosen the food. Follow this process with a good cleaning with soap and a scrub brush.
Made to power through baked-on food grime, Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish contains 50% more grease-cutting detergents than our other cleansers. Our Cookware Cleanser can remove stains from glass and ceramic casserole dishes, stainless steel utensils, enamel-coated cast iron, and other cookware.
Two words: heat & oil.
The most common reason food sticks to cast iron is because the pan is simply too hot.
Recommended cleaning products for enameled cast iron
For stubborn stains or stuck-on food, a paste made from baking soda and water can be applied with a soft sponge in a circular motion, acting as a mild abrasive without damaging the enamel.
Olive oil is a favorite for many types of cooking, but it's not ideal for cast iron. With its low smoke point, olive oil can easily burn, leaving behind a residue that can be tough to clean off your cast iron pan.
Abrasive cleaners can damage certain surfaces. The Pink Stuff could scratch the shiny finishes of stainless steel kitchen appliances, plated metals, enamel, and finished flooring. “Avoid using it on anything that is delicate or anything that can be easily scored or scratched,” Dickerson says.
For everyday cleaning we suggest Ajax, Comet, Bon Ami, etc. For stubborn stains or pot marks we recommend Zud, Bar Keeper's Friend or other slightly abrasive cleaners.
For porcelain sinks in both the kitchen and bathroom, a magic eraser is a great tool to have on hand. These small but mighty sponges can typically lift away food residue, makeup splatters and more with minimal effort.
Cast-iron pans are resilient! They can stand up to all kinds of scrubbers, sponges and cleaning tools. Just stay clear of harsh cleaners—a mild dish soap is all you need. For other methods of cleaning cast iron, we recommend using coarse sea salt or chainmail, which is a chain link piece of stainless steel.