If you regularly read my blogs you know how much I love to discover ways to clean using common ingredients found around the house, such as:
Household Cleaners That Really Work Without the Harsh Chemicals

Today I’m sharing two new tips that are super easy to do, while using ingredients you (should) have in your home. Check them out and see if they work for you as well.

Cleaning Copper-Bottomed Pots & Pans

I love cooking with copper-bottomed pans. The copper helps the heat to evenly distribute across the bottom so you don’t get hot spots. But keeping the copper clean and shiny can be a real pain. Yeah, in the past I purchased the chemical cleaners that are supposed to be easy to use, but I hated using them and what happens when I run out? I have to pay more money for more product. Having the necessary items within reach in the kitchen makes me much more likely to take a few minutes once in a while to clean up the pans, and I don’t have to purchase expensive products.

Need: Salt, White Distilled Vinegar and a Non-abrasive Scrubber Sponge

I’m sure there are lots of different ways to do this, but here is what has worked easiest for me. I pour the Distilled White Vinegar onto my scrubber sponge and then wet the bottom of the copper pan. I then sprinkle salt onto the pan, and the wetness lets it stick to the pan. I like to use the coarse Kosher salt simply because it has larger grains to work with. When the salt hits the vinegar you will see it start to work. Then I rub with the scrubber sponge until I get the desired brightness. Viola! The copper becomes shiny clean again. The picture shows just half of the pan when treated so you can see the difference. It’s quick, easy and has minimum cleanup. A win in my book!

Make Baking Trays Look New Again

Every time I purchase a new metal baking sheet I promise myself that I will not let it get to that ugly stage of blackness from baked on grease. But time gets in the way and the next thing I know, my baking sheets are, well, nasty looking. And I usually buy the non-stick brand, so it’s even more difficult to clean without scratching them. This process takes care of that issue, but it does take some time, so plan ahead. But hey, with no elbow grease involved it scores points with me! 

Need: Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

I make a paste of the Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda. It takes quite a bit of Baking Soda, but if you’re like me I buy the large 13 lb. bags at Costco, so it’s no problem. Spread the thick paste you’ve created onto the baking tray. I did just one end of my tray, so you could see the difference of before and after. Leave the paste on for 30 minutes. It works a lot like oven cleaner – without the harsh fumes. Then rinse in hot water and dry. My baking tray in the picture is a dark non-stick sheet, so it’s difficult to see the difference, but look closely and you can see that the baked on black grease is mostly gone on the right-hand section that was treated. This was without any scrubbing that might damage the non-stick surface. Now to do the entire tray!

I hope these tips make your kitchen chores a little easier!  Do you have a favorite tip?