3 Ways To Clean Dirty Baking Sheets So They Look Brand New

I don’t know about you, but cleaning baking sheets is one of those chores my husband and I put off more than we should. Big, cumbersome, and greasy, baking sheets can be a pain to clean and dry off. 

To make the job a bit easier, we tapped two experts for their best tips on how to clean baking sheets to make the process a little less agonizing.

Before Getting Started

There are so many reasons why it’s important to thoroughly clean your baking sheets. “Old oil can go rancid and will make your food taste bad, and is generally bad for you,” explains Jennifer Behar, a baker and founder and CEO of Jennifer’s Homemade in Miami, Florida. “Starting with a clean surface is important for food safety and for taste.”

Another thing to consider when it comes to a dirty baking sheet is uneven heating. “Residual baked goods on the pan can lead to uneven surfaces, resulting in hot spots and uneven heating which can lead to burning or uneven baking,” explains Missy Stefanik, a senior product manager at GoodCook Bakeware and Food Storage.

You also need to think about the type of pan you are using and cleaning. According to Stefanik, aluminum pans are not safe for the dishwasher, which will result in handwashing only. Nonstick baking sheets offer a little more flexibility and can be put in the dishwasher. However, dishwasher detergents can degrade the quality of the nonstick coating, leading to quicker wear and tear. This will result in needing a replacement pan earlier. 

“For optimal results and longer-lasting bakeware, it is best to wash by hand with warm soapy water and towel dry,” says Stefanik. “The good news is that most nonstick coatings offer premium release functionality, making cleaning a pan by hand easy.”

What You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Clean towel or paper towels
• Small bowl
• Gloves
• Scour pad
• White vinegar
• Dish soap
• Water

How To Clean Baking Sheets

Method 1: Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Paste

• Step 1: Rinse the baking sheet with water to remove any loose food particles. 
• Step 2: Dry off the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel. 
• Step 3: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of baking soda with 2-3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. If the paste isn’t a similar consistency to toothpaste, add more hydrogen peroxide until you get the right consistency. 
• Step 4: Spread the paste evenly over the surface of the baking sheet. You can use your hands (with gloves) or a spoon to apply it.
• Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier. 
• Step 6: Use a scour pad to scrub the baking sheet. 
• Step 7: After you’ve fully scrubbed the entire baking sheet, rinse it under warm water. 
• Step 8: Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel. 

Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar

• Step 1: Rinse the baking sheet with water to remove any loose food particles. 
• Step 2: Dry off the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel. 
• Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the baking sheet. 
• Step 4: Pour or spray (using a spray bottle) white vinegar over the baking soda. Don’t be alarmed when the vinegar reacts with the baking soda. It will create a fizzy action that’ll help lift the grime from the baking sheet.
• Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier. 
• Step 6: Use a scour pad to scrub the baking sheet. 
• Step 7: After you’ve fully scrubbed the entire baking sheet, rinse it under warm water. 
• Step 8: Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel. 

Method 3: Baking Soda and Dish Soap

• Step 1: Rinse the baking sheet with water to remove any loose food particles. 
• Step 2: Dry off the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel. 
• Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the baking sheet. 
• Step 4: Pour a small amount of dish soap directly onto the baking soda-covered areas. Another way to do this is to mix dish soap and baking soda together in a small bowl to create a paste. Then, apply that paste directly to the baking sheet. 
• Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier. 
• Step 6: Use a scour pad to scrub the baking sheet. 
• Step 7: After you’ve fully scrubbed the entire baking sheet, rinse it under warm water. 
• Step 8: Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel. 

How Often To Clean Baking Sheets

You should gently clean your baking sheet with dish soap every time you use it, then do a heavy-duty cleaning (with one of the steps above) every few months for home use, according to Behar.