How to Clean Cast Iron

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Cast iron cookware has excellent heat retention properties, making it an ideal choice for baking, frying, and searing food. When it is cared for properly, cast iron cookware develops a naturally nonstick surface, and it can last for many years.^{[1]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Learn about every day cast iron care, what to do when you have food residue that's hard to remove, and how to bring life back to rusty or grimy cast iron.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Everyday Cast Iron Care

1
Make sure your cast iron is seasoned. Seasoning cast iron creates a seal over the metal, preventing rust and creating a nonstick surface.^{[2]
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- Some cast iron cookware comes pre-seasoned; read the packaging or ask a store clerk if you aren't sure about yours.
- If you've had your cast iron cookware for awhile and don't know if it came seasoned, it's best to take the steps to season it, just in case. Read How to Season Cast Iron Cookware to learn the best technique for seasoning your cookware.
2
Wash cast iron with hot water.^{[3]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Use a plastic scrubber to remove food. Be careful not to scrub too hard, so you don't remove the seasoning. Since the surface is nonstick, a light scrubbing should do.^{[4]
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- Do not use soap on cast iron. It's abrasive to the iron's surface, and may remove the seasoning.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
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3
Dry the cast iron thoroughly. Use a dry dishcloth, and make sure you don't miss any spots, especially on the inside of the cookware.
- To be extra sure the cast iron is dry, place it on a hot burner and let it warm up for a few minutes, so any extra water will evaporate.^{[6]
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4
Coat the cast iron lightly in cooking oil. Dab a paper towel in olive, grapeseed or canola oil and rub it over the cast iron.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} This seals the metal and makes sure no moisture causes the cast iron to rust.
- If you use your cast iron cookware daily, this step is not necessary. Only coat the cast iron in oil if you're storing it for more than a few days.
5
Store the cast iron in a dry place. Take care not to stack a wet pot or pan on top of the cast iron.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Remove Baked-on Residue

1
Scrub with oil and salt. Mix olive oil and a few tablespoons of salt in a small dish. Pour the mixture into the cast iron cookware. Use a paper towel or other cloth to scrub the salt into the cast iron, focusing on the areas with caked-on food. Continue until the food remnants have all been loosened, and dump them in the trash.
2
Wipe the cast iron with an oiled cloth. Take a second paper towel or cloth, dip it in oil, and wipe the cast iron until it is clean.
3
If the food is impossible to dislodge, bake the cast iron. Set the cast iron cookware in the oven.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} Turn the oven to the self-cleaning setting, and let it run its course.^{[10]
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- Before trying this method, be aware that this method will require re-seasoning the cast iron.
- The cookware will emerge covered with ash and a layer of rust. Don't use it until you've followed the instructions for cleaning rusty cast iron cookware.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Clean Rusty Cast Iron Cookware

1
Make a solution of white vinegar and water. Find a container large enough to hold your cookware.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} Fill it 3/4 of the way with a solution of half vinegar, half water.^{[12]
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2
Submerge the cookware in the solution. Allow it to sit for three to four hours, checking it's progress along the way.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} The vinegar should dissolve the rust.^{[14]
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- If the rust isn't fully dissolved after four hours, remove the cookware from the solution and use a nonmetal brush to brush off the remaining rust.
- Don't leave the cookware in the solution for more than four hours, as it will start causing the metal to degrade.
3
Rinse the cookware and dry it thoroughly. To make sure it's completely dry, heat it through on the stove, or bake it in the oven for a few minutes.^{[15]
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4
Coat the cast iron lightly in cooking oil. Dab a paper towel in olive, grapeseed or canola oil and rub it over the cast iron before storing.^{[16]
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5
Season the cast iron again before cooking. Since you burned off the protective layer of seasoning, you'll have to re-season the cast iron before using it again.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.} Otherwise, it won't provide a nonstick cooking surface, and it may begin to rust.^{[18]
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Research source}
- Coat the cookware in olive oil and bake in a 350-degree oven for one hour. You'll have to cook with the cast iron several times before it's fully seasoned, but this method will start the process.
- Stores that sell cast iron usually carry seasoning products to apply to your cookware. Try one of these if you'd prefer not to season your cast iron yourself.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I clean rust off of a cast iron skillet?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

I would recommend using hot water with baking soda. Let the cast iron skillet sit and soak for five minutes in the solution. After, clean off the solution by scrubbing it with a sponge.
Question

Can you clean rust off of a cast iron skillet?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To clean rust off of a cast iron skillet, use hot water with baking soda. Let the cast iron skillet sit and soak for five minutes in the solution. After, clean off the solution by scrubbing it with a sponge.
Question

What is the best oil to use?

Community Answer

Coconut oil is the best. It helps with stretch marks, wrinkles, osteoporosis, and most importantly heartaches, so it'd work on your cast iron too.

Warnings

Don't store food in a cast iron pot or skillet. The acids from the food will cause the cast iron to deteriorate.

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Don't wash cast iron cookware in the dishwasher. The detergent will abrade the cast iron.^{[19]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}

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