Easy Ways to Clean the Bottom of a Saucepan

The bottoms of saucepans are like dirt magnets aren't they? They get truly filthy and sometimes (through no fault of your own) the dirt becomes so encrusted and stuck on that it looks unlikely that it will ever come off. You have soaked it for lord knows how long and scrubbed it and scrubbed it to no avail.

Below are a few simple, easy and cheap ways to help you remove that caked on dirt from the bottom of your saucepan.

1. Add some washing up liquid (detergent) into the pan and leave to soak in boiling water for about half an hour, pour the water away and add enough bicarbonate of soda to cover the bottom of the pan. Half fill the pan with cold water and bring to the boil on the plate, leave the water boiling for about five minutes (don't leave it unattended at this stage)

The bicarbonate of soda will loosen any dirt so all you should will need to do is pour the water away and wipe the bottom of the pan then rinse.

1. Lemon juice.

Whilst the pan is still warm, pour enough lemon juice in to cover the bottom, half fill the pan with boiled water and leave until the water is cool. Wipe the pan and then rinse.

Alternatively, you can pour in the lemon juice and the boiling water and place on the hot hob until you get a rolling boil, leave the water on a rolling boil for about 2 minutes and then remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Once the water has cooled, pour it away, wipe with a cloth or sponge then rinse.

Please note that whilst both these methods of cleaning are more environmentally sound, you will need to wear gloves when you are wiping the pan because the bicarbonate of soda and lemon juice will dry your hands