Baking Soda
To make things easier for you and, above all, save time, baking soda—a versatile, natural and affordable product—proves to be the most efficient to clean stainless steel skillets. Sprinkle some on the bottom of the skillet, then add water and bring it to a boil for a few minutes. Switch the burner off and let the solution work so that the encrusted food lifts away. Then simply wipe the skillet with a non-abrasive pad to remove everything.
White Vinegar
The same method also works with water and white vinegar. The smell of vinegar is more present, though. Proceed the same way by boiling the vinegary water and leaving it to work. In either case, if the skillet is still too dirty after soaking, ideally just go through the whole process again, but make sure you change the water first. This way, you’ll make the scrubbing easier.
Coarse Salt
Use it to eliminate stubborn residue that sticks to the bottom of cast iron skillets. Add about 1 cup of coarse salt to the still warm skillet and rub the salt in with a piece of paper towel. It’s a natural soft abrasive. If the salt blackens, it’s a sign that it’s working. Remove it before continuing to clean the skillet with a scouring pad and a bit of elbow grease.