3. Clean Cast Iron with Salt

Products Needed: Salt, one potato, and vegetable oil
What it Does: Cleans the pan without damage
Cost: $3*

Cleaning cast iron pans is a delicate balance between not wanting to scratch the surface and needing to get all the dirt and grime off. We use them so frequently in our kitchens that the amount of wear and tear they go through is quite remarkable. There is a foolproof method to cleaning cast iron pans that, while time-consuming, is extremely effective using things you already have lying around the house.You will need to pour some vegetable oil into the pan and then cover it with kosher salt. Cut a potato in half and rub the salt into the pan using the cut side of the potato. You won’t believe how the pan comes clean without causing any damage.