How to clean steel pans without ruining them: a guide to natural remedies

Steel is undoubtedly one of the materials that is most frequently found in our kitchens: resistant, shiny and perfect for daily cooking. Since it is a type of product subject to stress and scratches, it is of fundamental importance to know how to clean it correctly to avoid the risk of ruining it in a short time.

For this reason, a consideration must be made: how do you properly polish steel, specifically pans, without running the risk of losing its shiny appearance?

Why does steel deteriorate?

Basically it is a type of material made of alloy and carbon, which is used for different purposes and in various sectors, at home it is often used for the cookware. Although steel is a very resistant material, most of the time stainless, over time it will tend to deteriorate, especially to scratch, and consequently it will lose its character of brilliance, in the event that it is not treated adequately .

Pots and pans are among those types of utensils that are more subject to various stimuli and possible damage than others, because they are subjected to intensive use, often several times a day. It often happens that when cooking, little attention is paid to using utensils, such as forks, and the bottoms of the pots and pans are ruined. Therefore, if they are not carefully washed with the right amount of caution, there is a risk of oxidation and the presence of scratches .

How to avoid wear and tear?

To keep steel as shiny as possible over time, it is not recommended to use overly aggressive products or solutions that risk being overly abrasive, since once damaged it is difficult to recover, as deterioration situations will occur more easily. To polish steel , and therefore the pots and pans used in the kitchen, you need simple and easily available tools:

• Non-abrasive sponge
• Soft microfiber cloth
• Toothbrush
• Gloves
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Lemon or citrus peels
• Soda (in small quantities)

The products that are usually marketed and sold in the cleaning sector that are used to clean steel are particularly aggressive. For this reason, it is advisable to use them once in a while and not to abuse them, otherwise you run the risk of making the surfaces opaque. This is why it is more advisable to use "do-it-yourself" remedies with the use of natural elements .

3 remedies to polish steel using natural methods and “home made” products

1. Vinegar and dish soap

To polish the satin steel of the pots in the best possible way, it will be enough to implement a completely natural and very effective method : that is, it is sufficient to prepare a mixture obtained with water , dish detergent and vinegar . The resulting compound is able to polish and sanitize at the same time. Just pass a sponge on the steel bases of the pots, rinse well and dry using a soft cloth that does not scratch. By doing so, the result obtained is perfect and very satisfying.

As an alternative to vinegar, you could add soda , which has the great advantage of having a high level of degreasing capacity and therefore you can easily obtain the effect of shiny steel.

2. Lemon and citrus peels

Since the smell of vinegar is a bit strong, lemon juice or citrus peels are often preferred. By rubbing the juice on the steel bases and the bottoms of the pots, it acts gently by removing residues and leaving a fresh and natural scent.

Finally, to ensure perfect cleaning, the steel must be rinsed and then dried well with a soft microfibre cloth , to eliminate any type of stain.

3. Baking soda and toothbrush

Another very useful ingredient is bicarbonate which is excellent for polishing and cleaning steel to obtain a good result. The procedure is simple because you need a toothbrush that is dipped in pure bicarbonate and then passed carefully on the bases to remove stains and give them back their former shine by eliminating halos. By doing this you can clean even the most ruined steel, rubbing it well.

Instead of baking soda, you could use toothpaste as an alternative, which, like the others, is included in home remedies and of natural origin.

These are all alternatives based on the use of products of natural origin, which are not only indicated and suitable, but have a fundamental characteristic, that is, they are less aggressive than the normal detergents available on the market and sold as the best. Although they are basically products that allow you to avoid the onset of limescale, over time they are still corrosive, therefore they ruin the utensils of your kitchen.

The extra trick: the DIY spray

To get the maximum cleaning and shine, you can create a DIY product to keep in a spray bottle so you can use it whenever you need a quick and natural cleaning. A simple solution to keep steel always shiny .

What to do when there is no longer any fix?

If, despite everything, your steel pans are too damaged, maybe it's time to replace them. We have the right solution for you! All you have to do is take a look at all the products in the cookware category and choose the one that best suits your needs.