Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500079
06/24/03
Cleaning Teflon
Wash promptly after use with hot, sudsy water, to
avoid staining. The Teflon finish is not harmed by
dishwasher washing, but outside surfaces of some utensils
may be damaged, so follow label instructions for each
utensil. Remove stubborn spots with a plastic mesh pad.
Staining occurs from charring of food/grease residues
in the pan. Dark, widespread staining, the result of
overheating and incomplete cleaning, may lessen the
effectiveness of the non-stick property. The non-stick
surface can be "renewed" and stains reduced or removed
with commercial stain removers or by the following home
remedy: Mix two tablespoons of baking soda and a half cup
of liquid household bleach with one-two cups of water, or
enough solution in these proportions to about half fill
the pan. Simmer this solution for five minutes in the
stained pan. Remove from heat and check the pan surface.
If the stain still remains, repeat the treatment. CAUTION:
The solution will foam and if it boils over, it may stain
the outside of the pan. This solution is a strong
oxidizing agent and will cause some change in the color of
Teflon, with dark colors becoming lighter. This bleaching
effect does not reduce the non-stick performance of the
pan. Do not substitute ingredients for the baking soda,
household bleach, or water. After the cleaning/stain
removing treatment, thoroughly wash, rinse, and dry the
pan; then wipe it with cooking oil to "condition" before
using it again.
Should a white-spotted film appear it probably results
from minerals in the water and can be removed by
saturating a soft cloth with lemon juice or vinegar and
rubbing over the finish. After wiping, wash the pan, dry,
and "condition" as you did when new.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with references from DuPont
Corporation.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .