How to Clean Stained or Burnt Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

After being used for a while, stainless steel pots often become yellowed or even blackened due to high heat or food residue. To bring back their shine, you can try a few simple yet effective cleaning methods below.

1. Cleaning Stainless Steel Cookware with Dish Soap

Over time, stainless steel pots, pans, and kitchen utensils such as spoons, tongs, or steam racks may develop stubborn yellow stains or burn marks. Simply using dishwashing liquid sometimes isn’t enough to remove these stains completely. For the best results, you’ll need to add two extra ingredients to your cleaning routine: baking soda and white vinegar.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose a large pot or pan—big enough to hold both your homemade cleaning solution and the stainless steel items you want to clean.

2. Fill it with 4–5 tablespoons of baking soda, half a bottle of white vinegar, a small amount of dish soap, and enough water to submerge your utensils.

3. Place the stained stainless steel items into the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

The boiling process helps loosen dirt and grime without requiring too much scrubbing effort. Once the mixture boils, turn off the heat and let the utensils soak as the water cools down.

When the water is warm enough to touch, take the items out and scrub them gently with a dish sponge. You’ll notice how easily the stains come off, leaving your pots, pans, and other stainless steel tools sparkling clean again.

For tough or burnt-on stains, mix a bit more baking soda and vinegar with water, pour it into the same solution, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes before scrubbing again. This method helps remove even the most stubborn grime and brings back the original shine of your cookware.

Tip: You can also sprinkle dry baking soda directly onto the surface of a slightly damp pan, then use a soft sponge to scrub in circular motions before rinsing thoroughly.

2. Using Dishwasher Tablets or Powder

Another effective cleaning hack is to use dishwasher detergent tablets or powder, which are normally meant for dishwashers but can also work wonders for heavily stained cookware.

To use this method:

1. Fill your pot with 1–2 liters of boiling water and add one dishwasher tablet (or a spoonful of dishwasher powder).

2. Let the pot soak for 1–2 hours if the stains are mild, or overnight for tougher, long-standing burn marks.

After soaking, the stains will loosen and can be easily wiped away with minimal effort.

Dishwasher detergent contains oxygen-based cleaning agents that effectively dissolve burnt grease, carbon deposits, and food residue without damaging the stainless steel surface.

You can use tablets or powders from any brand—what matters most is allowing enough time for the solution to work. Once finished, rinse the cookware thoroughly with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth to prevent new water marks.

3. Additional Tips for Maintaining Stainless Steel Cookware

• Avoid using steel wool or abrasive cleaners that can scratch the surface.

• After washing, always dry the cookware immediately to prevent water spots.

• For an extra shine, you can rub a few drops of olive oil or lemon juice on the surface before wiping with a clean cloth.

• To prevent stains, cook on medium heat and avoid overheating empty pans.

With these simple home remedies, you can easily restore your stainless steel pots, pans, and utensils to their original luster—without spending money on expensive cleaning products. A few household ingredients and a bit of patience are all you need to keep your kitchenware looking brand new.