Cookie sheets can be one of the more annoying cooking tools to get clean. They always seem to have something burnt on, mystery stains in the corners, or rust building up in the crevices. If it feels like the only day your cookie sheets were clean was the day you bought them, you’re not alone!
Here’s everything you need to know about getting your cookie sheets back to that “like new” look.
How to Clean Cookie Sheets: The Basics
If you can keep your baking and cookie sheets clean from the get-go, you’ll have a far easier time when a big mess comes along. It also helps prevent stains and layered, caked-on messes. Washing your cookie sheets regularly will help make big messes easier to clean down the line.
Here’s how to clean cookie sheets after everyday use:
- Carefully wipe any chunks of burnt or melted food off the sheet while they’re still warm and malleable. A dishcloth or a few paper towels folded into a thick barrier will allow you to wipe up melted cheese, charcoal bits, and greasy residue without burning your hand.
- Wash cooled sheets by hand with water and a gentle grease-busting dish soap.
- Dry your cookie sheets immediately with a cloth or paper towel to prevent rusting. Take care to dry the underside of the rim where water gets trapped.
Can You Wash Cookie Sheets in the Dishwasher?
We don’t recommend it. If you’re too busy to clean by hand, you can stick cookie sheets in the dishwasher, but they easily warp from the heat and agitation of a standard wash cycle. Stronger dish detergents can cause discoloration or potentially damage the coating on your baking sheet.
Additionally, if your dishwasher doesn’t fully dry out after the wash cycle, your cookie sheet can rust more easily in the damp interior.
How to Clean Baked-on Food from Cookie Sheets
Cleaning baked-on cookie sheets is easier than you might think and uses a surprising ingredient: cream of tartar! It’s also gentle enough for even nonstick cookie sheets.
Here’s what to do:
- Sprinkle the baking sheet with enough cream of tartar to form an even layer.
- Spritz with white vinegar, just enough to soak through and activate the cream of tartar.
- Let the sheet sit overnight. The longer you let it sit, the easier it is to remove burnt buildup.
- Use warm water and a sponge to scrub away the buildup.
- Wash your cookie sheet as normal.
Removing Grease from Baking Sheets
Baked-on grease is harder to remove than normal food residue. Here’s a method that’s tough on grease, but gentle enough for even nonstick cookie sheets.
- Evenly sprinkle ¼ cup of baking soda on your dirty baking sheet.
- Gently pour ¼ white vinegar over the baking soda on the baking sheet. Watch out for splash back from the fizzing reaction of your two cleaning ingredients.
- Plug your sink and fill it with hot water or fill a container large enough to fit the baking sheet.
- Submerge the cookie sheet for 30-60 minutes and let it soak. The more grime to remove, the longer you should let it soak.
- Remove the sheet and scrub with a scrub pad (for aluminized steel) or a dish cloth (for aluminum and nonstick baking sheets). You may have to scrub hard for several minutes to remove heavy residue.
- Wash the cookie sheet as normal.
How to Remove Rust from Cookie Sheets
Rust is one of the more annoying realities of cleaning or storing your sheets improperly. Here’s how to deal with a rusting baking sheet:
- Cover the rust spots with baking soda and let it sit for 30 minutes. (You may have to repeat the cleaning process twice: once for the top of the sheet and once for the bottom. This lets the baking soda sit without falling off as you flip the sheet.)
- Leave the baking soda on the spots and gently scrub any rusted spots with a sponge and warm water.
- Wash the cookie sheet as normal.
Get Your Home Guest-ready with Professional Cleaning
Between prepping for a big meal and handling the dishes from endless cooking, you don’t need regular house cleaning stacked on your already-hefty to-do list. Give yourself the gift of a headache-free clean house with our routine cleaning services.
Call (888) 658-0659 or request an estimate online to enjoy cooking, baking, and welcoming guests in your professionally cleaned home.