How to Restore Your Baking Sheets to Their Former Shine

A few years back, my mom passed down her well-used baking sheets, which had seen countless batches of roasted vegetables and chocolate chip cookies. While the pans were still functional, I thought the grease stains and scorched spots were permanent marks of character that came with well-loved bakeware. That was until recently. When our former associate editorial director, Jennifer Davidson, asked me if there was a perfect way to clean baking sheets, I made it my goal to figure that out. After some experimentation, I discovered a cleaning trick that actually works—if you're up for a little hard work. Now, I can show you how to restore your baking sheets to a shiny, like-new state, just as I learned to do.

How to Clean Baking Sheets at Home

What You'll Need for Cleaning

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Spray bottle
• Scrubber sponge
• Steel wool (optional)

Instructions

1. Generously sprinkle baking soda across the surface of the baking sheet.

Focus on areas with noticeable stains or buildup.

2. Lightly spray hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda until it is fully covered.

To do this, simply pour hydrogen peroxide into an empty spray bottle, or attach a spray top to the hydrogen peroxide bottle.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for a second time.

Add another layer of baking soda, and mist with hydrogen peroxide once more.

4. Allow the mixture to rest for at least 4 hours, or leave it overnight for best results.

This mixture requires some time to work. However, be mindful not to leave it on the pan for too long, as the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda could further oxidize the pan if left too long.

5. Use a scrubber sponge to wipe away the baking soda mixture.

Apply some elbow grease to scrub away any lingering stains. You might need to dip the sponge in water to loosen the dried baking soda. Depending on how dirty the baking sheet is, the stains may come off easily, or it might take a bit more scrubbing. Be patient, as this could take a few minutes. Once most of the stains are gone, rinse the sheet thoroughly.

6. Use extra fine steel wool to gently buff out any remaining stains.

If some stubborn stains persist, use steel wool to carefully scrub them off (be sure to wear gloves when using steel wool). Choose a fine or extra-fine steel wool to avoid damaging the metal, and only apply enough pressure to lift the stains, not harm the pan. Once the stains are removed, wash and rinse the baking sheet thoroughly before its next use.