Clean Your Baking Sheets With This Miracle Liquid From Your Fridge

With these simple household items, you can easily clean a baking sheet. Here's what works best against sticky residue and burnt on food.

Keeping your baking sheets or cooking trays clean is important. Dirty baking sheets can transfer flavors between foods, making your frozen fries taste like chocolate cookies and vice versa. Plus, it's essential for hygiene. A clean baking sheet ensures that your food tastes the way it should and prevents the build up of harmful bacteria.

Even when lined with fresh parchment paper or silicone mats, grease, sauce, and food particles often seep through, making cleaning unavoidable. We often neglect dried on cheese and other crusts, which become harder to clean after baking. Fortunately there are some natural cleaning methods that avoid harsh chemicals that are often found in commercial cleaners:

Baking Soda

Sprinkle 50 grams of baking soda on the baking sheet and add water to cover the bottom. Heat the oven to 100°C (212°F) and bake for 15-20 minutes until the water evaporates. Let it cool, then wipe clean with dish soap and a sponge.

Baking Powder and Vinegar

Mix 3-4 packets of baking powder with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and some hot water to form a paste. Apply to the stains and leave overnight. Rinse with hot water and scrub if needed.

Washing Soda

Mix 2-3 tablespoons of washing soda with hot water. Apply to dirty areas and let sit overnight. Clean with fresh water the next day.

Salt

Cover the baking sheet with half a pack of salt. Heat the oven to 50°C (122°F) and bake for up to an hour or until the salt turns brown. Let cool and scrub off the salt and grime with a brush and hot water.

Vinegar and Lemon

Cover the baking sheet with vinegar, add hot water and the juice of 1-2 lemons. Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 15 minutes. Once the mixture evaporates, remove and clean the baking sheet.

Cola

Pour cola into the baking sheet to cover the bottom. Heat in the oven or on the stovetop until it boils. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Special Cleaners

If home remedies fail, consider a commercial cleaner like Maxxi Clean Oven Cleaner. Apply the gel with a brush, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for a few minutes to hours. Rinse thoroughly.

Additional Tips for Safe Cleaning

When cleaning your baking sheets, use soft cloths to avoid scratching its surface and wear gloves when handling strong cleaners to protect your skin. Never use sharp objects to scrape off food, as this can damage the baking sheet and potentially cause injuries.