How to Clean Baking Sheets So They Look New Again

There are a ton of complicated cleaning options out there, but this is by far the best way to clean grease-stained baking sheets.

A few years ago, my mom gave me some baking sheets she'd been using to roast vegetables and make batch after batch of chocolate chip cookies. The sheet pans were still perfectly usable, and I had just assumed that the set-in grease stains and charred areas were the irreparable "patina" that comes along with bakeware that has a history. That is, until recently. When our former associate editorial director, Jennifer Davidson, asked if there was an ideal method for cleaning baking sheets, I was on a mission to find out. After some research and testing, I found a cleaning hack that works—if you're willing to put in the elbow grease. Learn, just like I did, how to clean baking sheets thoroughly enough to make them look shiny and new.

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LARISA NIEDLE

Cleaning Baking Sheets at Home

What You'll Need

  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Spray bottle
  • Scrubber sponge
  • Steel wool (optional)
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LARISA NIEDLE

Steps

01 of 06

Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the baking sheet.

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LARISA NIEDLE

Concentrate on any areas with visible stains or grime.

02 of 06

Spritz hydrogen peroxide onto the baking soda until covered.

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LARISA NIEDLE

To complete this step, pour hydrogen peroxide into an empty spray bottle, or replace the cap of the hydrogen peroxide bottle with a spray top.

03 of 06

Repeat steps 1 and 2.

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LARISA NIEDLE

Top with more baking soda, and spritz again with hydrogen peroxide.

04 of 06

Let the mixture sit for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

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LARISA NIEDLE

This mixture needs time to work. However, don't let the mixture sit on the pan too long because the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda could oxidize the pan further if too much time passes.

05 of 06

Use a scrubber sponge to remove the baking soda mixture.

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Rub with some elbow grease to remove any stains as you go. You may need to dip the sponge in water to loosen up the dried baking soda. Depending upon how dirty the baking sheet is, the stains may swipe away easily, or this could require some additional elbow grease. The process may take a few minutes, so don't get discouraged. Once most of the stains have been removed, rinse the baking sheet thoroughly.

06 of 06

Buff out stubborn stains with extra fine steel wool.

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LARISA NIEDLE

If a few stubborn stains remain, use steel wool to gently scrub them away (always wear gloves when working with steel wool). Also, make sure the steel wool you use isn't too abrasive, and you only buff hard enough to remove the stains and not the metal. Very fine or extra-fine steel wool is gentle enough to lift stains without compromising the metal surface underneath. Wash then rinse the baking sheet thoroughly before using.

Tip: If you want to prevent future stains, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment whenever possible.

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