🍳 Stuck, stuck, stuck: How to remove stuck-on food!

Removing stuck-on food from your kitchen cookware might be one of the most unwelcome chores. And it feels like we could all use a quick-reference guide on what non-toxic methods and ingredients to try when confronted with a stack of greased and grimed pots, pans and baking dishes.

With (mildly and naturally abrasive) ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, salt, lemon juice, dish soap, etc. and a bit of elbow grease, cleaning the dishes won’t be 

Baking Soda and Vinegar

1. 1. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stuck-on food.
   2. Add a little water to make a paste.
   3. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
   4. Scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or brush.
   5. For extra tough spots, spray white vinegar over the baking soda paste and let it fizz before scrubbing and rinsing.

Boiling Water

(helps soften the food residue, making removal easier)

1. 1. Fill the pot or pan with enough water to cover the stuck-on food.
   2. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
   3. Turn off the heat and let the water cool slightly.
   4. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently scrape off the softened food and then wash as usual.

Salt Scrub

1. 1. Sprinkle coarse salt (like kosher salt) over the stuck-on food.
   2. Add a small amount of warm water to form a paste.
   3. Use a non-abrasive sponge or a brush to scrub the area.
   4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Lemon Juice

1. 1. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the stuck-on food.
   2. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
   3. Scrub with a sponge or brush.
   4. Rinse with warm water.

Cream of Tartar

(works similarly to baking soda for cleaning)

1. 1. Mix cream of tartar with a little water to form a paste.
   2. Apply the paste to the stuck-on food.
   3. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
   4. Scrub with a non-abrasive sponge.
   5. Rinse well with warm water.

Dish Soap and Baking Soda

1. 1. Apply a few drops of dish soap to the stuck-on food.
   2. Sprinkle baking soda over the soap.
   3. Scrub with a sponge or brush.
   4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.