Is your beloved Le Creuset dutch oven stained from all the searing, browning, stewing and braising? Let’s bring the sparkling clean interior back with this super easy method! No overnight soaking, no boiling vinegar!
I know, I know. My Dutch oven looks horrific! Can you tell I’ve been braising stews and roasts all winter long?
And it brings such a satisfaction to finally clean it and bring that “naked” look back.
Luckily, it takes very little elbow grease and simple ingredients that you probably have on hand. And for the record, this’s not my everyday cleaning method. I usually thoroughly wash and clean my pot after every use with just a dish soap and sponge.
But every once in a while, I get stains build up over time. And do a deep clean like this maybe in once year or so.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO CLEAN YOUR DUTCH OVEN?
- Baking soda
- Water
- Sponge and/or scrubber
Instructions:
- Now if your stains are light, you can cover the area with a baking soda and add a little water to create a paste.
- Let it sit for 30-60 minutes and wash it with a sponge. Everything will wipe away revealing beautiful clean surface.
However, if your pot has heavy built-on stains, we’ll need an extra step.
- Instead of making a paste, we’ll add about an inch of water. Bring it a boil over medium heat and then simmer for a few minutes. And then turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
- Once cooled, wash it with a sponge.
- If you still have stubborn stain left, sprinkle more baking soda and a bit of water to make a paste and scrub it with a sponge or scrubber.
DISCLAIMER: I know, it’s not advised to use abrasive scrubber, but I’ve used it on my enameled dutch oven about 3 times total in 7 years of owning this pot. And I have no problem whatsoever!
Ta-da! Nice and clean Dutch oven ready to be used again for all the stews and pot roasts!
Got more pans to clean?
Stay connected and join Busy Cooks community:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM
Reader's Reviews
Try Dawn power wash. Spray it on, let it sit and rinse it out. Miracle!
I use a good squirt of Vim and top up with hot water. Swirl the mixture and leave for a few hours. Then just dump it all out in sink. Use a soft cloth to clean any missed spots. So easy. Cleans beautiful. You’re not scrubbing with the Vim mixture so I don’t think you will damage your pot. I’ve been doing for years and my pot looks great.
Is this done purely for looks? I thought pots that look like this are “seasoned” and should stay that way. Correct me if I’m wrong??
YHIS WORKED MARGINALLY FOR ME. DID NOT TOTALLY REMOVE THE DARK STAINS BUT CERTAINLY LIGHTENED THEM. I WILL LIKELY TRY A REPEAT IN A WEEK OR SO AND SEE IF I CAN IMPROVE APPEARANCE. WHAT ABOUT STAINS ON EXTERIOR? SAME METHOD?
I put mine in the oven when I do the self cleaning cycle and it comes out like new!
I have a Viking range and I’ve been told (due to experience) don’t use the self clean. The oven gets so HOT it burns out the elements and wires. I know for a fact. Now I just use EasyOff Self Clean. The self clean didn’t do very much any how. My experience only. 🙂
I used the oven cleaner for self cleaning ovens and it worked beautifully. The self clean mode on mine is horrible and has an awful smell.The ex off cleaner worked like a charm.
will this same technique work on enamel stove tops around gas burners? It cannot get the baked onspots removed with anything! Help please?
Hi, Terry. I’ve never tried this method on stoves, but I think it’s worth a try.
I use bar keepers on my moms range top. Damp sponge and sprinkle a small amount depending on what mess you have. I always start off small and I never have to add more. Then just wipe with a damp paper towels and dry with more paper towels.
Which Barkeepers? I looked on Amazon and there are several versions of it: powdered, soft liquid, etc.
I always use the powder. I like to make my own paste.
Tried and trusted ways I put them under hacks on my list of ideas
Thank you, Linda. So happy you found it useful!
Mr Clean eraser is actually tiny grains of sand that scrub whatever you clean by scratching it off. This leaves tiny scratches you probably won’t see, but are there and will slowly degrade your finish. Not good for the longest life of a pot.
I have no experience with Mr. Clean. But thanks for sharing this info, Shirley!
Actually, it’s made from melamine foam.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/what-to-know-about-magic-erasers/
My son taught me to use white wine (cheap is fine). Pour some into the pot, slowly heat it over low heat, then as it begins to boil, use a wooden/bamboo spoon or spatula & scrub. Takes some elbow grease but works and leaves the enamel finish.
Sounds interesting!Thanks for sharing, Heidi!
Do NOT use steel wool or anything abrasive on Le Creuset–you will destroy the finish and have to scrub everything from then on!
Hi, Marchia. I don’t recommend using steel wool on regular basis. But in certain situations, one could use very soft ones (ideally, the specific one I mentioned in the post) to remove bad stains. And I imagine it’d be one off occasions.
I tried both methods and not even a little of the stain came off. Disappointed.
Hi, Tricia. Would you mind to sending me a photo of your pot? It’ll help me to give you better advice. If you’d like you can e-mail a photo.
I use Bartender’s secret powder cleaner with a damp cloth or sponge. Magic eraser works too. Use in my porcelain sinks as well as the cookware.
Thank you for sharing your tips, Lynn!
The best stuff
You should never use baking soda on enamel, pots or teeth. Ask a dentist or the people who make your enamel cookware. It’s much too abrasive.
Or clorox! I used clorox on my French enamel pots; first it lost its sheen, then it started to CHIP! Very expensive to replace!
It looks like steel wool in the picture – is it OK to use something that abrasive?
Hi, Ingrid. Thanks for your comment and double checking. So I very rarely have used THIS specific scrubber, which is super gentle. I’ve used on very heavy stains, as pictured above. This scrubber is advertised that can be used on glassware! It’s not steel wool, but it’s stainless steel, I’m not sure if there’s any difference. But it feels super soft in my hand, not rough like regular steel wool scrubbers. Hope this helps.
Hello, I tried to clean my pot & accidentally nicked the finish (size of eraser head). Any idea how to seal? Thank you
Hi, Maria. Unfortunately, I don’t have advice on that.
I have a hot spot in the bottom of my Dutch oven that is a REAL PROBLEM when I use it. Everything I cook in it scorches in that one area and at times makes the food taste burnt. Any suggestions to correct this problem. *Not sure if I “cured” it the wrong way when I first got it.
Hi, Deb. Hmm, that’s interesting. Is your Dutch oven enameled or cast iron? I don’t think you need to “cure” an enameled Dutch oven.
I just pour a little bleach in and fill it the rest of the way with hot water… let it sit a few minutes and stains gone. Even works on red wine stains.
Thanks for sharing your method, Cathy!
I use a magic eraser so easy and works like a charm!
Thanks for sharing your method, Rhonda!
Just fill the pot with hot water just above the stain line put in Clorox and leave for a few hours. Looks like new, no scrubbing.
Thank you for sharing your method, Pokey. I’ll have to try it. I’ve never used bleach in cleaning my pots and pans.
This tool all the finish off the bottom of my pot. Now it’s unuseable!!
Hi, Kyle. Can you please clarify you used specifically Amway Scrub Buds, and not a different brand? Unlike other wire scrubs, these Amway ones are SO SUPER GENTLE. Because that’s an important factor, and I wouldn’t use anything different.
And can you please e-mail me a photo of your pot? I really would like to see how it’s unusable.
I use kosher salt. No scrubber, no boiling water, just simply kosher salt. Its works great for the ones with no enamel as well. Also helps with keeping it seasoned.
Thanks for sharing your tip, Jenni!
I usually pour bleach into the bottom and let it sit overnight and wash as usual. Always comes out clean.
Cool. Thanks for sharing your tip, Anita!
I tried the method of baking soda, water and soaking for over an hour……didn’t work! I then tried baking soda, water and boiling it for a while. Then scrubbed…..didn’t work! Disappointed!!
When all else fails try the Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean. Not as convenient as the baking soda in your pantry but easy-peasy. Just wet the “eraser” a little bit to dampen and rub a dub it gets clean. No I don’t work for the company it just works.
I add vinegar to the pot to help break down the stain, and bring it all to a simmer for several minutes. This also works well for stainless steel pots and pans. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your tip, Lynn!
Thank you for that tip! How about the outside? One of mine is really dull looking 😯
Hi, Dee. Will you be able to e-mail me the photo of your pot? I’m not sure what you mean by dull-looking outside.
My Mom taught me your method years ago and it works great! I have an easy method that I use, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! Wet it a little and easily wipe it clean.
Thanks for sharing your method, Tammy! I don’t usually buy Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but I can always find baking soda in my pantry. That’s find this method more convenient for me.