Prevent Scratches On Your Cookware With One Fix That Costs Next To Nothing

If your cookware is starting to look scratched or worn, the problem might be your storage setup. Stacking pots and pans directly on top of each other can leave behind scuffs and chips, especially on nonstick or enamel-coated pieces. You may even be doing the one thing that will make your kitchen look unnecessarily cluttered and leave your pots and pans out in the open. But you don't need a fancy organizer to solve this kind of damage and clutter. A few felt squares from the craft store can prevent scratches on your cookware, and they'll cost you less than a dollar apiece.

To get started, head to your local fabric or craft store and pick up some medium-thickness felt squares. When you're putting your cookware away, just layer one piece of felt between each pot or pan before stacking. That soft, flexible padding helps prevent scratching, keeps your cabinets much quieter, and makes your drawers look a little more put together. This fix is especially helpful if you're working with limited cabinet space and have to stack all of your cookware. And because felt is lightweight and reusable, you won't need to replace it often. It's a smart, low-cost way to help your favorite pots and pans last longer. Bonus: It also cuts down on clatter, so no more waking up the whole house when you're grabbing a skillet at 7 a.m. Also, if you need to organize your space, there's a simple DIY pots and pans storage solution that frees up kitchen cabinet space.

Not all felt is created equal, so choose medium-thick craft felt for the best protection. It's soft enough to cushion but stiff enough to hold its shape between pans. If you're worried about size, just trim each piece with scissors so it fits your specific cookware — round shapes for pans, squares for pots. You can even double up layers if you've got especially heavy cast-iron pieces.

How you stack matters, too. Stack your cookware from largest to smallest, with felt in between each layer. If your cabinets are extra deep or awkwardly shaped, try storing lids separately to reduce pressure on delicate pan surfaces. To add even more of a personal touch, you can choose felt colors that match your kitchen décor or even label the squares by pan size so everything stays organized. Felt squares also prevent scratches elsewhere in the kitchen. Use them as protective liners for glass bakeware, ceramic dishes, or delicate serving trays. Slip a square under tabletop décor, flower pots, or anything that might slide and scrape your counters. You can even pad the bottom of a utensil tray or shelf liner. For such a small investment, these felt squares offer a whole lot of protection. And, if you have too many pots and pans, you can free up some cabinet space with one clever kitchen storage addition.