Whether you’re restoring a thrifted Dutch oven or maintaining your trusted one, adhering to a few simple steps can help preserve its appearance and keep it looking shiny and new.

To remove burnt-on stains from your Dutch oven, fill the pot with enough water to cover the stains, place it on the stovetop, and add approximately two tablespoons of baking soda.

Bring the solution to a boil and let it simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes before turning off the heat. You can choose to keep the pot covered or uncovered during this stage.

Next, scrape the pot’s bottom with a wooden or plastic spoon. Then, drain the solution and let the pot cool down. If your oven is now stain-free, skip to the wash and dry step.

However, if the stains persist, rinse the oven and sprinkle some baking soda over the affected areas, followed by using the rough end of a sponge to scrub them off.

If the additional baking soda doesn’t help, rinse your oven again before sprinkling powdered Bar Keepers Friend on the wet Dutch oven to form a paste and scrub.

For stubborn leftover stains, mix one part bleach to three parts water in the oven and leave it for a few hours or overnight. Rinse away all the other cleaners before this step.

Once you’ve removed the stains to your satisfaction, wash and dry the Dutch oven as usual. Be sure to remove any remnants of baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend, and bleach before use.