Here’s the Single Best Tool for Cleaning Cast Iron
Updated: Apr. 16, 2019Even your favorite heavy-duty pan needs a refresh once in a while. Learn how to clean cast iron and what products we recommend to do it.
Cast iron is our go-to for weeknight meals, comforting dinners and even some delightful desserts. These skillets are a staple in so many kitchens, not only because they’re great for even cooking but because they can really withstand a beating. No matter what you throw at a cast-iron skillet, it can probably handle it.
That’s not to say that these skillets don’t require care, though. Sometimes a cast-iron pan needs a bit of a refresh to get rid of burnt-on bits, sticky foods and even rust (yes, you can restore even the rustiest skillet!).
Since these pans are so heavy duty, they require cleaning tools that are a bit stronger than your average dish sponge. But what kind of scrubber is really best to get that skillet looking clean and ready to tackle tomorrow’s dinner? Our editors tested out plenty of products on their very own skillets. Here are their favorites.
Master cast iron cooking with our guide.
The Best Scrubber to Clean Cast Iron (and More!): Scrub Mommy Dual-Sided Scrubber Sponge
Greasy, stuck-on food was no match for Scrub Mommy. Similar to the Shark Tank-famous Scrub Daddy, the Scrub Mommy sponge has a sponge side that becomes stiff and abrasive when wet with cold water and softens with hot water. It also has a soft sponge side to wipe away any remaining mess.
This combination gave all our burnt-on onions and garlic a one-two punch. The stiff, abrasive part of this scrubber was just the thing to pull up stuck-on food and really get rid of any leftover mess. The softer half of this tool helped dry the pan, making it ready to use again. After cleaning up with the Scrub Mommy, our editors’ pans looked like new and were ready to whip up some fabulous vintage recipes.
But we didn’t just love Scrub Mommy for its cleaning power (though, that’s reason enough). The sponge’s design makes gripping and cleaning easy and comfortable. And when the cleaning was all done, we could just toss the Scrub Mommy into the dishwasher for an easy clean-and-sanitize session.
And there’s more! After scrubbing up cast-iron pans and refreshing this sponge, we put it back to work cleaning tile, baseboards, cupboards and sinks. It’s a real kitchen superstar (just like the cast-iron pan!).
$14.94 for a pack of three; available at retailers nationwide.
More Great Tools for Cleaning Cast Iron
Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbing Scouring Pad
$5.24 for a pack of three; available at retailers nationwide.
Casabella Mesh Palm Scrubber
$5.50; available at retailers nationwide.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to everyday cleanup of your cast-iron pan, we couldn’t recommend the Scrub Mommy enough (though we liked Casabella’s palm scrubber, too). It’s a great tool for those epic messes. However, if you really need to start from scratch with your pan, a scouring pad like the one from Scotch-Brite is what you should be using.
Remember: Cast-iron pans are resilient! They can stand up to all kinds of scrubbers, sponges and cleaning tools. Just stay clear of harsh cleaners (mild dish soap is all you need).
Be sure to check out our other Best Loved Brands to keep your house feeling clean and fresh (and to keep your pantry stocked with the very best, too!).
All-Purpose Cleaner
This is the cleaning product you likely reach for the most. It's a multi-tasking wonder that's used to clean off grimy counters, sticky tabletops and even for wiping down windows. Find out which brand really cleaned up in our tests.
Dish Soap
No doubt about it—our favorite dishes (think lasagna, mac and cheese and crispy bacon) leave us with the worst messes. We found the best dish soap for cutting through the grease, stuck-on bits and grime. Find out which brand we loved.
Stain Remover
Every host dreads having to clean up after a messy spill. Serve red wine—like our favorite boxed version—stress-free when you have a good stain remover on hand. Here's our favorite.
Cast Iron Cleaner
If you use your cast-iron pan frequently—and you should be with all these good recipes—you know that sometimes it takes a little extra to get it clean. With the right tool, you can get your pan spick-and-span and ready for more skillet suppers. Find out what we use to get our cast iron clean.
Oven Cleaner
Sometimes self-clean doesn't do enough to get your oven completely clean. Give your oven a refresh—and save yourself extra scrubbing—with a good spray-on oven cleaner. Check out our top pick.
Surface Stain Eraser
A good surface stain eraser can take care of lots of life's small messes and can even restore our treasured vintage Pyrex. This is the brand we prefer.
Wood Floor Cleaner
Anyone with wood floors certainly treasures them. However, keeping them looking like new can be tricky. You don't want to go too harsh with your cleaning products but a quick sweep isn't good enough for long-term clean. Find out what we use to keep wood floors looking their best.
Kitchen Degreaser
Everyone has that baking sheet that has seen better days. You don't need to scrap it! Instead, invest in a good degreaser to bring it back to life. Check out our go-to product.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
We love the look of stainless steel, but as pretty as it is, it's prone to smudging. Our Test Kitchen is full of stainless steel ovens, freezers and refrigerators. Find out what we use to keep them all clean.
Garbage Disposal Cleaner
Your garbage disposal sees a lot of mess, and it deserves a good clean. For this, you don't need to break out the rubber gloves (save those for dishes). Instead, opt for an easy-to-use pod. Here's our favorite brand.
Paper Towels
We rely on paper towels to take care of all kinds of messes. Since we regularly stock up on rolls, we had to ask if it was really worth it to pay more for the pricier brands. Find out what our Test Kitchen recommends.
Dishwasher Cleaner
Yes, your dishwasher needs cleaning! After taking care of all your dirty dishes, it's a good thing to give your dishwasher a clean itself. With easy-to-use pods, it's no trouble to keep it fresh. Find out what our Test Kitchen uses.Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
