12 Pantry Essentials You Can Actually Use To Shine Up Your Stainless Steel Cookware

Are you tired of those hard-to-remove brown marks, food residue, burnt sections, and rust spots on your stainless steel items? Well, you don't have to worry about tossing out your pan because all you need to do to solve this issue is walk over to your pantry. Believe it or not, quite a few options there can help. From baking soda to olive oil, here are the pantry essentials you can use to shine up your stainless steel cookware.

From tough grease stains and hard-to-remove food pieces, to fingerprints and rust, cleaning stainless steel can be quite a headache. Nonetheless, it is important to properly clean these items since leftover food and grime carry a plethora of bacteria that you don't want to consume, and that's where the pantry items come in. However, they aren't the only things you'll need. In many cases, you'll also require some kind of sponge or brush, as well as a microfiber cloth for wiping and drying. A steel wool scrubber might also come in handy. And for some darker or hard-to-remove spots, extra treatment and elbow grease will be required. Just remember that not all stainless steel cookware can be saved. If your pans have severe rust or discoloration, loose handles, warping, scratches, or peeling layers, then it's time to replace them. However, with the right care and gentle yet strong ingredients, your stainless steel items can last you a long time.

Hot water and dish soap should always be your first option when you are cleaning stainless steel cooking items. This option is best immediately after you cook or if your pots and pans have been sitting out overnight. Use dish detergent to cut through grease and tough spots. While you may be tempted to just scrub and place it in a dishwasher, know that you should submerge your stainless steel underwater for a few minutes after it has cooled down. Water will soften the grime, and you can use your sponge to remove the gunk. 

Cleaning your stainless steel cookware is one of the best household uses for lemon juice. For this hack, take your lemon and cut it in half. Dunk the exposed part of the lemon in salt and then rub it against the surface of the pot or pan. Repeat until all the grime is gone. When you're done, wash with soap and water. The acid in the lemon will help break down hard-to-remove particles and grime. Once you finish, your stainless steel will shine and your kitchen will smell divinely zesty.

Aside from being an ingredient in yummy foods, tomato sauce or paste can also help your stainless steel cooking items shine. Flip the pot or pan over and spread the paste on it. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then take a sponge or microfiber cloth and wipe off all the residue. After wiping, give it a good clean with soap and water. You may need to repeat for darker areas. Once clean, you can admire the shine it will have.

Scrubbing your stainless steel pots and pans with baking soda is a cleaning hack you won't regret trying. Baking soda is a versatile pantry item because you can mix it with different products to create helpful solutions. It is made up of gently abrasive particles that will help shine your cookware without scratching or damaging it. Mix baking soda and water until it creates a thick, creamy combination. Spread it on the problem area and gently rub. Let it sit for up to 20 minutes, and then wipe and rinse to clean the residue away.

Head over to your pantry and grab out a soda favorite — Coke. As a surprising way you can use Coca-Cola around the house, it is useful in making your stainless steel items sparkle once again. The carbonation and acid from the soda help break down rust and burnt-on food pieces. The best thing to do is to let your stainless steel cookware soak in Coke overnight. Then, scrub and wash to see. This is a great trick for uniquely shaped steel items like lids, can openers, and components from an appliance. 

A surprising way to use olive oil in your home is as a great cleaning agent. Combine it with white vinegar to clean stainless steel. Start by cleaning your pots and pans with a distilled vinegar and water mixture. The acid in the vinegar helps break down dirt and grime without leaving damage. Take a cloth dipped in some olive oil and rub the oil in the grain's direction to fill in scratches and leave a shiny surface. Olive oil also creates a protective barrier on the surface from smudges and fingerprints.

Another great combo to try out on your stainless steel cookware is baking soda and vinegar. Similar to the water and baking soda hack, mix the powder and vinegar until it creates a thick paste. Apply this mixture on your pots and pans, covering the whole surface. Let it sit for a few minutes, then take a brush or sponge and gently scrub until the dark bits disappear. Wash and rinse clean. Repeat the process for hard-to-remove spots or darker areas. 

White vinegar can be a versatile cleaning tool, and is also great for cleaning your stainless steel cookware. In many cases, you can easily use the spray bottle of white vinegar you already use for other cleaning projects to complete this hack. Spray the area that you want to polish and take a microfiber cloth and wipe away. You can also use white vinegar before you use olive oil or club soda to remove fingerprints. If you have a distilled version, you can equally use it to polish silver utensils.

Grab a potato from your pantry and use it on your stainless steel items for a good shine. Cut the vegetable in half and flip your pan or pot over. On the brown, burnt bits, take the potato and rub. Make sure to use some extra pressure, especially in the darker areas. It's normal if potato residue is smeared on the item. After some good scrubbing, take your cookware over to the sink and wash with soap and water, then rinse. For very dark areas, you may need to repeat again.

A clever way you should be using salt when cleaning your home is to wash your stainless steel pots and pans. This option is going to take a lot of elbow grease and patience. For this hack, take a handful of coarse salt and place it on top of your pan. Then take your sponge or brush and scrub away at the grime. If the salt starts to dissolve, add more and continue the process. Finish by washing. Remember not to scrub too hard since you don't want to create scratches on the dishware.

An unexpected use for cream of tartar around your home is to revive your stainless steel cookware. Grab your stainless steel pots and pans that have leftover food mess sticking to them and sprinkle cream of tartar on top, covering the spots. Pour hot water into the pot and submerge all the powder. Wait 10 minutes and then scrub away until it is clean. For more extreme cases, you can do this with boiling water as well, you'll just need a wooden spoon and a steel wool scrubber to clean.

Club soda is a great way to get rid of those fingerprints and lingering residue on your stainless steel pots and pans that you can't seem to remove. First, take a cloth and dunk it into the liquid. Scrub away at the spot you are targeting. Next, place your club soda in a spray bottle and spray the area. Use a microfiber cloth and buff it out. This liquid is also great at removing water stains and spots.