Ashley Poskin Ashley Poskin Ashley has traded an expansive house in the peaceful life of a small town used to experience the bustle and excitement of The Windy City. Any day, you can see her working on a photo or blog, playing with her young daughter, and strolling with Chuck the boxer.
It’s casserole season this time of year in the Midwest, meaning there are glass baking dishes soaking in every sink you can think of. Warm dishwashing soap and water help remove baked-on foods and grease. It also allows for more accessible work when it comes to cleaning. But regardless of how long you leave it in the water, it will almost always be some grease splattered across the surface that won’t go away.
If you aren’t using scratching pads or are concerned about chafing the dishes, there are various methods to keep your words clean! I put five ways to the test to determine which one is the best for removing grease stains. Here are my results.
How I Tested the Methods for Cleaning Grease Stains off Glass Baking Dishes
At first, I looked at the internet to find out what others suggested. I scoured other websites, read letters and feedback, and cleaned forums. After deciding on the five strategies, I sprayed them on five baking dishes made of glass. I filled them with soup made from mushrooms and baked them until I was left with no mess to clean up. (Some insider food styling info for you!) We then got to clean.
The rating The methods received the same rating. A one went the most ineffective way, while a five was awarded to the most efficient. In addition to the score, you’ll also find notes about how simple or complex the process was, the degree to which I liked or disliked it overall, and the amount of time it took to accomplish its job.
Glass Baking Dish Cleaning Method: Dish Soap and Water
The procedure: Take an abrasive sponge that is warm and wet to remove the stain using just a few drops of dishwashing soap. If the color remains, apply a mild abrasive, like baking soda.
What went down This procedure was so long that I eventually gave up because my fingers began to hurt from the scrubbing. (Hence, I used the “N/A” for the total time I did not finish!) I adore Dawn for all kinds of projects to remove grease, but not this one. It just doesn’t work out. The stains would not go away … not at all. The sponge was soft; even dish soap with baking soda did not have enough traction to remove the stain. There was no improvement in stain removal. However, the other components of the dish became extremely shiny!
Glass Baking Dish Cleaning Method: Bar Keepers Friend
The process took a long time before I could see results after about an hour or so of vigorous scrubs. Again, the sponge was quite useless, and the main ingredient in the bar Keepers Friends (oxalic acid) is a little rougher than baking soda, so by using some elbow grease, I could remove about half the stains. I also made the paste using Bar Keepers Friend and water, after which I put it on the color for a while, and it appeared to be able to remove the stains more easily.
Glass Baking Dish Cleaning Method: Toothpaste
The first time, things were filthy (and minty! ). Then, the stain began to come off. Having a handle to hold to (the brush!) was great as I scrubbed those difficult-to-reach spots. I was unable to scrub all the stains out. However, I was thrilled by the progress I achieved. The dish smelled like mint, and it was essential to thoroughly wash the container before using it.
Glass Baking Dish Cleaning Method: Magic Eraser
What happened? The Magic Erasers are very dense, so I had to push them down to get over the baked-on stain. (I decided to use my thumb to push down.) However, I’m pleased that it did the job well. I was hesitant to try using my Magic Eraser on my baking dish, as at home, we use it only for things that don’t come in contact with food. However, the company’s website says utilizing this Magic Eraser on pots and pans is safe. The website advises using the use of it! (Ensure you don’t apply it to nonstick pans since the sponge can scratch the surface and cause damage.) I began to see results within only a few seconds after vigorous scratching. I would try this technique again, and I was about to declare the winner when I tried the final procedure …
Glass Baking Dish Cleaning Method: Cornstarch and Vinegar
What I learned: I wasn’t sure what would occur with this all-natural home cleaner, but after a couple of seconds of rubbing, it became apparent that this was a winner. The combination of vinegar and cornstarch is always ideal for cleaning staining. However, I believe the key ingredient for this case is the scrubber. The solution was adequate; however, it was not as effective in my experiment using a damp sponge.
A Final Note
Although all of my tried and tested methods performed on a level, it became evident that the method I used to clean the dish was just as important as the method I employed to wash it. To test the waters, I tried my trusted scouring pad using just water and a lot of elbow grease, and it worked better than any other method apart from that of the Magic Eraser. It took a lot of work, but I’ve named this technique “rage scrubbing” and saved it for the evening when I want to let some steam out. Given our challenges throughout the year, I recommend this method above all other methods!