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  How To Clean And Care For Cookware

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Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and caring for metals and finishes. Generally it's best to wait for pans to cool before washing or rinsing them, as they may warp if submerged in cold water while still hot.

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  • Aluminum cookware - should be washed in warm soapy water. Hand rather than machine washing is recommended. The extremely hot water in automatic dishwashers, combined with minerals in water and detergents, may discolor aluminum, especially colored anodized finishes. Remove stains with a nonabrasive cleaner.

  • Stainless steel cookware - should be washed in hot, soapy water or a warm ammonia and water solution, thoroughly rinsed and immediately dried to avoid water spots. Use mild, stainless steel cleaners or light scouring with a plastic or stainless steel scouring pad to remove most stains; don't use steel wool, chlorine bleach or alcohol.

  • Cast iron cookware - is usually pre-seasoned (coated with unsalted fat and heated to prevent rusting), unless porcelain coated. It should be washed in warm, sudsy water and frequently treated by coating the cast iron interior surface with unsalted shortening, left until its next use, then wiped out. To re-season, scour the pan completely, rinse and dry; then coat the inside with unsalted fat and leave in moderate oven for two hours. Remove and wipe off excess grease.

  • Copper cookware - to remove discoloration, use commercial cleaner or a mixture of flour, salt, lemon juice and ammonia applied before regular washing.

  • Chrome cookware - wash with warm water and soap or detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

  • Plastic laminate cookware - wash with detergent and water or a mild cleaner. Although strong and heat-resistant countertop coverings, they should not be used as cutting boards, trivets or hot pads, as they can be cut and burned.

  • Acrylic enamel cookware - use soap or detergent in warm water for cleaning. This exterior finish can be marked or damaged by ammonia, alcohol or bleach.

  • Baked enamel cookware - somewhat chip-resistant, it is used on cabinets and appliances. Use soap or detergent in warm water or household cleaner. Do not use abrasives, alcohol or chlorine bleach.

  • Porcelain enamel cookware - Use soap or detergent in warm water -mild cleaner if necessary. A sharp blow with a hard object may chip porcelain enamel.

DISCLAIMER: Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of the information in this document. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor Aubuchon Hardware can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

National Retail Hardware Association

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*Aubuchon Hardware stores are located in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and New York.
© W.E. Aubuchon Co., Inc. 2008.