Bring Burnt Pots And Pans Back To Life With The Help Of A Common Bathroom Essential

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Even the best cooks have mishaps on the stove. One in particular that requires excessive elbow grease during cleanup is scorched food. Whether you've left the pan on too long or the recipe tripped you up by not calling for enough liquid, no one wants to see or smell the aftermath in the sink. Even if you can get the stuck-on crust loose, there's always black residue to contend with, which takes time and energy to remove. Fortunately, there are several hacks out there to tackle this culinary issue, and one surprisingly comes from the bathroom shelf: Epsom salt.

Also known as magnesium sulfate, this granulated spa staple is often used to relieve muscle soreness during a hot soak. Luckily, it's also great as a non-toxic grime remover in the kitchen sink. All you need to brighten up blackened cookware is to combine this mineral compound with a sponge and water. It's nice to know that if you're out of sodium bicarbonate or your other go-to scrubbers, you can clean burnt pots and pans with a powerful baking soda alternative stored conveniently with your toiletries. 

Preparing for this hack is simple. All you need is a sponge or dish cloth, some hot water (or liquid dish detergent), and a canister of Epsom salt. If you don't have any at home, you can pick up a package from less expensive Amazon retailers like this Soothing Touch Epsom Salts Pouch. Any brand will do, but you might want to avoid anything with added oils or fragrance. Some products are marketed as scrubs and could have added chemicals that might irritate skin or leave a residue on cookware. Once your supplies are assembled, you're ready to clean burnt pots and pans with ease using your newfound gunk remover. 

The key to this method is quantity. Don't be shy with the amount of salt you pour out onto your sponge. Once it's loaded with the small white granules, press it onto the problem zones on your pot and start scrubbing. Make small circles as you go, pushing into the blackened stains to loosen them from all directions. You should start to see it lift away. Once the dish is rinsed off, you can dry it normally. If you've been looking for tips on how to best clean your kitchen, this is a great one where dishes are concerned. Clear the sink, or pre-wash for the dishwasher without scrubbing your arms into oblivion.