Restore your blackened cookware using these products and methods

To keep pots and pans pristine...just don't use them! Of course, we are pulling your leg, but it is inevitable that with use and time, the state of our cookware will start to deteriorate.

Cookware with blackened bottoms (on the outside) is commonly found and is usually difficult to clean off. But there are some methods you can use to restore your cookware and these are described below:

Blackened pot/pan bottoms: how to clean them

Creativo

• With powdered products that contain oxalic acid (a famous American brand is the Bar Keeper's Friend): usually it is enough to mix one part water with three parts powder, so as to create a slightly abrasive paste which is spread on the bottom, leaving it to act for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge and then rinsing everything off.
• Baking soda: this is the most common alternative when you don't have the above product. And it is used in the same way (but leaving it to act for up to 20 minutes). A word of caution: when scrubbing, never use abrasive sponges. The paste will be enough!

Other cleaning solutions

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Some cleaning solutions - and products used to do this - can be a bit surprising:

• Ketchup: this condiment is recommended for cleaning copper as well as stainless steel. Cover the entire bottom with a layer of ketchup, leave to act for 20 minutes and then scrub well with a sponge.
• Fabric softener sheets for the dryer: this remedy is popular online. You fill the kitchen sink with enough hot water to cover the bottom of the pan, then add the fabric softener sheet/s and leave to soak. Wait at least 20 minutes (or overnight) and the blackening will be very easy to remove by scrubbing.

Have you ever tried these cleaning techniques on your cookware?