You are going to love this easy ZERO mess, one step way to clean grease from pans or baking sheets!
Everyone who knows me, knows this easy cleaning hack.
I have shared it before on Chemistry Cachet, but readers have enjoyed simple cleaning hacks in a blog post, so we are sharing this great tutorial for you today.
One Step Way To Clean Grease From Pans Or Baking Sheets
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Ingredients:
- Table Salt
- Paper Towel
Directions:
- Pour table salt on the entire greasy surface after it is cooled (pan, baking sheet, or even plates).
- Make sure all the grease is covered in salt (the salt will soak up all the grease if you use enough).
- With your paper towel, wipe up with salt and throw away in the trash can!
- Most of the time, this removes all of the grease, but if you need to, follow up with an other paper towel for any residue. Note, if you use enough salt the first time, there usually isn’t any residue left 🙂
- You can now just lightly rinse or clean your pan without any grease getting into sink or drain!
Reader Success Stories on Cleaning Grease From Pans:
I have had many readers write in about this tip from our salt cleaning hacks post, and they said it has been such a game changer for them!
You can read some success stories on our testimonial page too.
The Chemistry of Table Salt
Salt is chemically known as sodium chloride which is an ionic compound between sodium and chloride. Its physical properties include a gritty white texture, highly soluble in water, and it’s a naturally occurring substance on earth.
Sodium chloride is unique because the attraction between the sodium and chlorine is very strong, so polar molecules dissolve it, like water.
Does it matter what type of salt you use for this cleaning hack?
No, just any table salt will be fine. I recommend using table salt and not any large particle salt though, it doesn’t absorb as well.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Salt To Clean Grease?
Salt is such a great, cheap, and easy tool to keep around your home for cleaning. It is natural, non-toxic, and you can buy it for less than $1.00 at most grocery stores.
I just love having it on hand for various cleaning tasks.
Using it for grease has several benefits.
Salt absorbs the grease
The main reason salt is fantastic is it completely soaks up or absorbs grease. It doesn’t dissolve in grease, instead it removes it.
It makes it easy to throw it away in the trash can
You don’t want to put liquid in the trash can. It leaks out and makes a gross, smelly mess. Using salt to soak up the pan grease eliminates all of that! It soaks up liquid and odor, so you are basically throwing away a salt-grease paste. It is so easy!
You are eliminating grease going down the drain
Grease is detrimental to your drain and pipes. I learned this at my old house shortly after we moved in. The previous owners had built up so much grease in the pipes outside of the home, we had a major issue with sewage and had to have our pipes repaired and cleaned. All from grease! We became very aware of allowing grease down the drain. Now, I always soak up grease with salt. After wiping out the pan, there is usually no grease residue left. I can just rinse, wash, and it is done.
Dish soap cuts grease pretty well, but it is still better to just soak the grease up with salt and throw away.
Using Salt Is Also Good For Scrubbing Burnt Food Out Of Pans!
First of all, back story on this frying pan pictured blow (because people are concerned LOL). This is my mom’s pan. It is 10 years old, and she has a bad habit of cutting food in the pan with a knife. This is why it is scratched! Also, this is the first time I have used salt in this pan for her. So, no, the salt doesn’t scratch the pan. Just FYI.
Another thing this awesome little cleaning hack is good for is scrubbing off burnt food in your pan!
If your pan not only has grease like mine below, but also has some burnt food particles, salt works for that too.
Scrub in a circular motion in your pan. I am amazed at the scrubbing power of salt.
FAQS on Using Salt For Grease
While this post was first published and utilized in 2017, there have suddenly been some questions I want to address.
Does the salt scratch the pan?
No, if you are using regular table salt, it should never scratch a pan. You are gentle using the salt to absorb grease. There shouldn’t be any impact on scratching. If you are using salt to scrub burnt food, it is still more gentle than things like Barkeepers Friend which many people use.
What if I use a method I already like?
This has been a strange concern, but please remember, on Chemistry Cachet we share dozens of methods for household situations. It is all about quick, easy, and convenient. If you are in a hurry with a grease filled pan, this is just one of many methods to know! You certainly don’t have to use it 🙂
I love the chemistry of salt! It is such a unique structure that can be a staple in your house for cleaning!
Not only does it have scrubbing power, but also soaks up oils and dissolves easily in water.
Salt is awesome.
I hope you enjoyed our fun cleaning hack today. Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and Instagram for more chemistry based cleaning tips that will make your life easier.
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
Hi Alexis! I remember when you first shared this tip on the blog —- so long ago!, This is a main dishwashing hack I use often. My husband was astonished by its absorption effectiveness. He tried it but only used a little – I told him “more, till it looks like wet/greasy sand”. Love the scrubbing properties, too! Thanks for the “revival” of a great tip!
It’s such a great hack! I’m amazed how many readers have written over the years that they loved it. I thought it was worth a post all by itself!!
What a bloody grerat tip, thank you
It is so handy to use when you need to clean something quick!!
OMG, I just learned this tip from my grandma who has done this for years on her pans. She still cooks a ton of greasy things, and she said she loves using salt. I just started using it too! It is amazing how quickly and easily it absorbs grease. Thanks for sharing so many awesome cleaning hacks
That’s great! We had tested how grease absorption in a lab once and I was surprised how well salt did.
I have used salt on my garage floor. It works the same as on the pans. It’s the greasy residual I was concerned about. (Anything that leaks from a car, will come up with Salt)
That’s a great tip! Salt is so great for soaking up grease
I’ve used salt to brush my teeth when out of toothpaste. I learned it somewhere long ago I don’t remember. Is it safe to use on teeth, or is it too abrasive?
I would think it is too abrasive to use directly on your teeth. Baking soda is a better choice and a common option for teeth brushing
Alexis, Thank you for your suggestion of using baking soda instead of salt for teeth brushing when toothpaste is not available. I tried the salt on grease in my frying pan and it works great!
Barbara
Yay, I am happy to hear that!