How to Clean Your Cast Iron Skillet

If you're anything like us, you cook in your cast iron skillet almost every single day. 

Cast iron is tough, durable, naturally non-sticking, retains heat better, is easier to use, and (let's be honest) it makes food taste way better. There's nothing more delicious than some sautéed veggies and juicy pork chops cooked in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. 🤤

If you've spent years (and blood, sweat & tears 😅) building up the perfect cast iron seasoning, the last thing you want to do is remove it all with improper washing.

Cleaning a cast iron skillet is an extremely controversial topic, and there are TONS of opinions out there on the right way to do it. So, we're giving you our two cents! 

In this blog post, we're sharing the foolproof cast iron cleaning method we've been using for years.

What NOT To Do When Cleaning Cast Iron

In the Haslemayer family, we cook with a Classic Lodge cast iron skillet. However, our cleaning method should work with just about any brand of cast iron.

As with any cast iron, you should NEVER use liquid dish soap to clean it! Liquid dish detergent is full of solvents and surfactants that will interact with your precious cast iron skillets. Plus, the ingredients in most store-bought dish soaps are not eco-friendly and may contain harmful chemicals.

It's also important to avoid letting your cast iron soak for long periods of time. Unlike other non-stick pans, cast iron will rust if left in standing water. 

Lastly, don't let your cast iron drip-dry. After you've washed your skillet, completely dry it with a towel before returning it to the cupboard.

Our Secret to Cleaning Cast Iron

Like we just discussed, you should NEVER use liquid dish detergent to clean cast iron. So, what should you use?

Our secret to keeping your skillets clean without losing that hard-earned seasoning is simply switching to Solid Lard Dish Soap and a Natural Wool Sea Sponge!

• Traditional Solid Lard Dish Soap has been used for hundreds of years, and still is today because it works better than any other type of soap! Since it's made of only saponified fat and coconut oil, solid lard dish soap is completely free from fragrance, synthetic ingredients, and harsh chemicals. Plus, you don't need a ton of soap to get the job done - making it a much more economical and sustainable option! 
• Natural Wool Sea Sponges are  a natural alternative to synthetic sponges or loofahs, often made from plastic and highly susceptible to mold and bacteria growth. They're soft AND durable, allowing for maximum sudsiness and tough scrubbing power that won't damage your skillet like other abrasive scrubbing pads.

You can make your own solid lard dish soap at home (that's how we started), or you can grab some from our shop here. 

Now that you know our little soap secret, here's our complete step-by-step guide to cleaning cast iron!👇

Our Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Cast Iron

Whether you're cleaning off this morning's bacon grease and egg residue, or you've left last night's dinner leftovers in the skillet a little too long, our cleaning method is tough enough to remove even the harshest stuck-on grime.

• Step One: Rinse any large unstuck pieces of food out of the skillet. Then, grab your solid lard dish soap bar and your natural wool sea sponge, and work the two together until you create some suds. (The lard dish soap bars suds up great so it shouldn't take long!)
• Step Two: Gently scrub your cast iron skillet with your soapy sponge in a circular motion. No need to scrape or rub with abrasive materials - the soap and soft wool sponge should loosen things up just fine!
• Step Three: Rinse off any soap residue and dry completely with a towel, making sure that there is no water left resting in the bottom of the skillet. 
• Step Four: Once the skillet is dry, place it back on the stovetop and melt a thin layer of all natural coconut oil (just enough to coat the skillet). This creates a protective coating that prevents rusting and helps to season the cast iron.
• Step Five: Remove from heat and let sit for 10-15 minutes before returning it to its proper home in your kitchen! 

And there you have it - our super easy, foolproof guide to cleaning your cast iron without damaging it or losing that hard-earned seasoning! 

Shop our full line of dish care products, including our Natural Dish Care Bundle that includes both our Solid Lard Dish Soap and Natural Wool Sea Sponge now!

Happy cleaning! 😊🧼