Why You Should Mix Potatoes And Baking Soda When Cleaning

Cleaning is one of those tasks everyone does, but few actually enjoy. Scrubbing away grime, polishing metal, or trying to rescue a pan that's seen better days often feels like more work than it's worth. And yet, we all know the satisfaction of seeing something go from dull and stained to bright and usable again. Rust, however, tends to be the line most people draw. It's where an old knife or a once-loved skillet gets pushed to the back of a cupboard or tossed in the trash. Fortunately, you don't necessarily need to give up on rusted cookware. Pairing a potato with baking soda is one of the genius hacks to remove rust from pots, pans, knives, and grill grates.

The trick works because each ingredient brings something powerful to the table. Potatoes contain oxalic acid. It's a natural compound that reacts with rust and helps break it down at the surface. Baking soda adds the scrubbing power, with just the right level of grit to clear away the loosened particles. Used together, they create a simple cleaning method that's inexpensive and incredibly effective.

When it comes to actually putting this trick into practice, there are a couple of ways to go about it, each one better suited for different types of cookware. The first method involves sprinkling baking soda directly over the rusty surface and covering the area with potato peels. Leave it to sit overnight and let the oxalic acid do its work. By morning, the rust will have softened. This will make it easy for you to clean off with a sponge or a stiff kitchen brush. The approach works especially well for flat or awkwardly large areas, like the back of pans, baking trays, or grill grates that are tough to scrub by hand.

The second method takes a more hands-on route. Dust baking soda over the object, say, a pot or pan. Then, cut a potato in half. Use the freshly cut surface as your scrubbing tool. Rub in circular motions so the acid and abrasive combine in real time. For knives, there's a clever variation. Plunge the blade into a whole potato and let it sit for about three hours. Once removed, rinse the knife under soapy water, and you'll notice how the rust has lifted away. This unusual potato hack is surprisingly simple and it doesn't demand special equipment. All you need is some patience and a potato or two from your kitchen.