How to Clean Baking Trays to Get Them as Good as New

Purchasing a new baking tray almost always puts you in the mood to bake a fresh batch of biscuits or try a new roasted vegetable recipe. The problem is baking trays can go from new and fresh to filthy and unsightly with just a few uses. Baking trays almost always seem to develop unsightly brown stains and gross burnt-on residue build up.

Part of the reason why baking trays get so dirty is because we use them for almost everything. Due to their smooth, flat surface and useful raised edges, a baking tray can create an oven friendly surface for everything from baked goods to homemade pizzas. Baking so many different types of food on a baking tray means it almost always ends up covered in stains from a wide variety of sources.

We all want to keep our kitchen tools looking shiny and new, but it seems like no matter how hard you scrub, soap and water are just not enough to get the stains off of a baking tray.

If you are worried your baking trays will never look shiny and new again, we have good news. There are actually some surprisingly simple cleaning solutions you can use to make your baking trays shine and ensure any food you cook on them tastes its best. Read on to discover how you can clean your baking trays to get them looking as good as new!

Ways to Clean Your Baking Trays

You might be surprised to learn that some of the best ways to clean baking trays are with natural homemade solutions, rather than expensive chemical cleaners than contain harmful substances.

Not only are these natural cleaning agents much safer to use, they tend to be more affordable. In fact, there is probably a good chance you already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.

Cleaning Method #1 – Baking Soda and Vinegar

You read that correctly! You can actually clean those stubborn brown stains with the baking soda and white vinegar you probably have sitting in your kitchen cupboards right now.

Simply measure ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Sprinkle the baking soda evenly across the surface of the dirty baking tray. After the baking tray is covered, add the white vinegar. You can try to evenly pour the vinegar across the surface, or better yet, use a clean spray bottle to make sure it has an even coating.

After the baking soda and vinegar have had about a minute to react, submerge the entire tray in a sink filled with hot water. Let the tray soak for at least half an hour, preferably longer.

Remove the tray from the sink and scrub the stains away using a scouring pad or steel wool. You should have been able to scrub the stains away, so just give it a standard wash with standard dish soap to give it a nice shine.

Cleaning Method #2 – Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

This method requires a little more patience than the first. All you need is baking soda, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and time.

Simply mix the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts. Stir until it forms a paste-like consistency. Spread this mixture evenly across the surface of the baking pan and let it sit for at least two to three hours.

After the mixture has sat for a few hours, wipe it away using a paper towel and warm water. You may have to scrub some sections, especially the corners, if there are still any leftover stains. After you are satisfied with the level of cleanliness, just give the baking pan a standard wash with dish soap and warm water. This will eliminate any leftover residue and make sure the metal surface looks as good as new.

Cleaning Method #3 – Baking Soda and Water

If your baking tray just has some minor stains you would like to scrub away, you can simply use baking soda and water. This simple mixture is surprisingly effective at eliminating the grease and burnt-on food stains that can make your baking tray look dull and dirty.

Combine equal parts of baking soda and warm water. Mix the two ingredients until they form a paste. Spread the resulting paste evenly across the surface of the baking tray and make sure any large stains are completely covered.

Let the paste sit on the baking tray for at least 30 minutes. After it has been left to sit, gently rub any visible stains with the abrasive side of a clean kitchen sponge until all of the stains have washed away. After your baking tray is free from stains and leftover residue, give it a good wash with liquid dish soap and warm water. Wipe it down with paper towel and let it completely air dry. It should look just like the day you bought it.

Baking Tray Cleaning Tips

The cleaning methods listed above may seem simple, but they are incredibly effective. They are so powerful and safe to use that you can also use them to clean other stubborn kitchen messes. For example, baking soda and water works surprisingly well at cleaning the interior glass of an oven door.

If your baking trays have some really stubborn stains and you do not want to risk scratching the metallic surface of the pan, you can actually use aluminum foil. All you have to do is loosely bunch up a large piece of aluminum foil and use it to scrub the areas of the pan you are having the most trouble with.

If you have a baking tray that has a non-stick finish, you should always avoid using harsh scrubbers. This means no steel wool. Instead you should choose nylon scrubbers, which are effective, but will not threaten the integrity of the pan’s non-stick finish.

Remember, in many cases, soaking will accomplish much more than aggressive scrubbing. After all, your baking tray will not look new if it is covered in scratches and dents.

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