Pot Cleaning Hacks: Because That Burnt Spaghetti Sauce Isn’t Going to Scrub Itself

Ever stared into a scorched pot like it personally offended you?
Yeah, same. Whether you forgot to stir (again) or attempted “one-pot magic” that turned into one-pot mayhem, cleaning burnt and greasy pots shouldn’t feel like a gym session.

So instead of crying over crusty cookware, let’s fix it—with hacks that actually work and don’t require elbow grease for days. Spoiler: your sponge is about to feel very underused.

1. Baking Soda + Vinegar = The Power Couple of Pot Cleaning

If this duo had a reality show, it’d be called “Cleaning Royalty.”

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Here’s what to do:

Sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda on the bottom of your dirty pot.
Add a splash of water—just enough to create a paste.
Pour in ½ cup of vinegar and watch the fizz party begin.
Let it sit for 15–20 minutes, then scrub with a sponge.

For burnt food? Heat the pot on the stove with the mixture for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Image Prompt (insert after this paragraph):
A close-up of a pot with baking soda sprinkled in, vinegar being poured in, and visible fizzing action happening. Bonus points for steam rising slightly for a “cleaning in action” vibe.

2. Boil That Crud Right Off

Sometimes the best move is to let science do the heavy lifting.

Try this:

Fill your pot with enough hot water to cover the grime.
Add a squirt of dish soap or lemon juice.
Bring it to a boil for 5–10 minutes, then let it cool slightly.
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently scrape off the gunk.

It’s weirdly satisfying—like peeling sunburn but way more productive.

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3. Salt Scrub for Nonstick (and Your Sanity)

You love your nonstick pan, but it’s looking… not so slick anymore?

Make a paste with coarse salt and a few drops of oil.
Use a soft sponge or cloth to gently scrub the surface.
Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.

FYI: Don’t use harsh abrasives on nonstick—unless you’re into eating Teflon flakes. (Spoiler: you’re not.)

4. Cream of Tartar: Not Just for Baking Nerds

This unsung pantry hero is magic on stainless steel.

Mix 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar with a few drops of water to make a paste.
Rub it into the pot with a sponge or soft cloth.
Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

It’s basically skincare for your pots. Glowy finish included.

5. Dryer Sheet Hack (Yes, Really)

This one’s for the lazies among us (aka me on a Sunday).

Fill the pot with warm water.
Drop in a dryer sheet (yep, like for your laundry).
Let it soak for an hour or overnight, then wipe clean.

The sheet helps loosen baked-on messes like nobody’s business. And bonus: your pot smells oddly… fresh?

6. Aluminum Foil Ball = Budget Scrubber

No scouring pad? No problem.

Crumple up some aluminum foil into a loose ball.
Use it with dish soap to scrub metal pots and pans (but avoid nonstick, please).
Works great on rust, burn marks, and stuck-on grease.

And if you feel like a caveman using metal on metal… well, you’re not alone.

Shine On, You Scrubby Diamond

There you have it—six pot cleaning hacks that range from science fair fizz to straight-up genius. No more soaking things for three days. No more giving up and buying a new pot (don’t lie—you’ve thought about it).

Next time you burn something into oblivion, just bookmark this post and pretend it was part of the plan. You’ve got this.