Baking sheets can be a nightmare to clean when stained. Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some key things to know about maintaining and cleaning baking sheets. Check out them now!
6 Ways To Clean Baking Sheets
Baking soda can do wonders for cleaning various dishes, and baking sheets are no exception. Here are a few different, effective methods that involve using baking soda.
1. Baking Soda And Boiling Water
This one is pretty simple and fast. Cover the baking sheet with boiled water and add three tablespoons of baking soda. If your baking sheet is stained on the outside too, you can put it on a larger baking tray or in a sink so the water covers its whole surface. Leave it like that for two hours, then wash it with dish soap, and rinse with hot water. This is a great method for minor stains or burns marks.
2. Baking Soda And Vinegar
If the first method didn’t work, vinegar may do the trick. This method is more abrasive, but also better for really persistent stains. Make a mixture by adding half a cup of vinegar to a cup of baking soda. Apply it to a baking sheet and scrub with an abrasive side of the kitchen sponge. When you see that the stains are off, wash the baking sheet with mild dish soap and rinse with hot water before drying.
3. Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
When your baking sheets are seemingly hopelessly stained, this proved to be one of the best methods out there to make them look brand new again. Take around half a cup of baking soda and sprinkle it over your baking sheet.
Then, spray hydrogen peroxide over that and leave it for around five hours (or overnight if it is easier for you). When it is time, rinse with hot water and wash the sheets with dish soap. You can also make a paste out of these ingredients and apply it to the baking sheets, but you may want to wear gloves for that if your skin is sensitive.
4. Lemon Juice And Aluminum Foil
Here is another method with two of the things you can probably find in your kitchen right now. First, squeeze two lemons. Fill your baking sheets with boiled water and add lemon juice. Let it dissolve for around half an hour. Make a sponge-like ball using aluminum foil and scrub the baking sheets with it. Wash them with dish soap and let them dry. Not only they will be clean, but also shiny and lemon-scented!
5. Tomatoes And Salt
Lemon is not the only acidic fruit that can be used for cleaning. It may come as a surprise, but tomatoes are great for that too! You can use half a cup of crushed tomatoes or ketchup for this method.
Add three tablespoons of salt to make a paste. Scrub the baking sheets with the kitchen sponge and then wash and rinse. Salt is a very good abrasive, and combined with the acidity of tomatoes, it is proven to be very effective for getting the stains out.
6. Scouring Pad And Sparkling Water
Sometimes it is as simple as that. If your baking sheets are not too rusty or stained, you may want to try this simple method because it may be the right solution. Fill your baking sheets with sparkling water and leave them like that until the bubbles disappear.
That alone will probably remove water stains and grease, but if not, scrub with a scouring pad until your baking sheets are clean. Rinse through water and that’s it!
3 Tips For Maintaining Your Baking Sheets
Use Parchment Paper
The safest way to prevent messy and oily baking sheets is to cover them with parchment paper or aluminum foil before baking. You can also use a silicone baking mat. Another benefit of this is that you won’t have to worry about your food sticking.
Avoid Using Oil
Whenever possible, use shortening or butter to grease the baking sheets before putting them in the oven. Oil can easily burn at high temperatures and make stains that are very difficult to remove, thus causing a lot more work than you should have to do.
Wash Them Regularly After Every Use
Make sure to hand wash your baking sheets after every use. Try using mild dish soap and water only. Avoid putting them in the washing machine as the detergent used for washing machines is usually harsher and can cause white spots and corrosion. Also, dry them thoroughly as soon as you wash them to prevent rusting.