How to Clean Anodized Cookware

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Thanks to the anodizing process, anodized cookware is durable and distributes heat evenly when you cook. To maintain its excellent cooking properties, it’s important to clean your anodized cookware properly. This means washing it by hand with appropriate, non-abrasive cleansers.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using the Right Cleaners

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use a powerful dishwashing detergent to clean your anodized cookware. You can also use more mild detergents. Avoid using baking soda or any other alkaline-based cleaning products on the inside of your anodized cookware. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Clean your cookware with mild scouring powders, like Barkeeper’s Friend, Ajax, or Comet. Scrub with non-abrasive sponges, scrubby sponges, soft-bristled cleaning brushes, dish cloths or rags. Avoid using steel wool and only use abrasive scrubbing pads sparingly.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Never use oven cleaner or other caustic cleaning agents on your cookware. Also avoid any liquid household cleaners. This includes floor cleaners, silver polish, grout cleaner, or porcelain cleaner. Don’t clean your anodized cookware with bleach.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Washing Your Cookware

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-4.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you first get your cookware, treat it like you would any other cookware. Wash it in warm water with a mild dish soap. Rinse it thoroughly and dry it completely. Season your cookware with oil to help prevent food from sticking to it. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Never immerse hot cookware in cold water. Rather, allow your pans to cool completely before washing. Cold water can warp a hot pan. [3]
    • This is only relevant for hot pans and cold water. Putting hot pans in hot water or cold pans in hot water will not warp your cookware.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-6.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Wash your cookware by hand. Use a mild dish washing liquid and hot or warm water. Clean your cookware as soon as possible after using it. This will help maintain it and make washing it easier. [4]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Removing Stains and Burnt Residue

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-7.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have stains or burns on the outside of your cookware, you can use a scouring agent to clean them. Mix baking soda or a mild scouring powder with a little water to make a paste. Rub the paste on the stains with a dishcloth or soft-bristled cleaning brush and rinse with warm water. [5]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-8.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To remove stains or burnt residue from the inside of your cookware, soak it with hot water and soap. Pour out most of the soap and water, then use a dishcloth, gentle scrubbing pad, or soft-bristled cleaning brush to scrub at the stain or burnt food residue. Rinse well.
    • Never put your anodized cookware in the dishwasher. Putting your pan in the dishwasher might discolor or scratch your cookware and in many cases will also void your warranty.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-9.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Fill up the piece of cookware with water and add some dishwashing liquid. Simmer this for about 20 minutes. Give it at least 30 minutes to cool. Remove the residue or stain with a gentle scrubbing pad or soft-bristled cleaning brush. Rinse thoroughly. [6]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-10.jpg\/aid8776846-v4-728px-Clean-Anodized-Cookware-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scour the stain with a gentle scouring powder like Barkeeper’s Friend and hot water. Use a gentle scrubbing pad or soft-bristled cleaning brush. Rinse out all of the scouring powder.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you remove water spots inside anodized cookware?
    Community Answer
    Scrub the surface with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda then wash thoroughly and let dry.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clean a Deep Fryer
      How to
      Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
      How to Sanitize Wooden Utensils
      How to
      Clean Corningware
      How to
      Clean a Rice Cooker
      How to
      Clean a Bamboo Steamer
      How to
      Clean Le Creuset
      How to
      Clean a Copper Kettle
      How to
      Clean a Stain off Enamel Ware
      How to Clean & Care for Enameled Cast Iron Cookware
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://jezebel.com/how-to-clean-scorched-pots-and-befouled-ovens-1443087464
      2. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/27/garden/new-cooking-surface-light-anodized-aluminum.html
      3. ↑ https://thecookingdish.com/0227/the-top-10-rules-when-using-nonstick-pans/
      4. ↑ https://www.fix.com/blog/comparison-of-cookware-materials/
      5. ↑ https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17691332/list/how-to-clean-your-cookware-so-it-lasts
      6. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/kitchen-nightmares-cleaning-sc-57322

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 51,936 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement