Le Creuset is a historic manufacturer of kitchen utensils, famous in particular for its enameled cast iron pots. Many of its products are advertised as extremely durable and are therefore guaranteed for life. However, over time, the enameled cast iron of Le Creuset kitchen utensils can become dirty or stained. Fortunately, it is possible to clean them safely by hand using several methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Hand Clean Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Kitchen Utensils
Step 1. Let the pot cool before cleaning it
Soaking a hot pan or pot in cold water could cause the glaze to crack or otherwise damage it. Before cleaning Le Creuset kitchen utensils, allow them to cool completely.
Step 2. Fill the pot with hot water and dish soap
Pour a few drops of traditional dish soap into the bottom of the Le Creuset pot, then turn on the hot water tap and wait for the foam to form. Stir the hot soapy water with a spoon to help build up more foam.
Step 3. Leave the hot soapy water in the pot for 10-15 minutes
During soaking, the detergent will have time to dissolve the food particles attached to the cast iron.
Step 4. Wash the pot with a sponge
Rub the enameled cast iron of your Le Creuset pot with a soft sponge. Do not use any abrasive material, for example a scourer. Remember that Le Creuset pots should be washed after each use.
If there are food residues that are difficult to remove, you can use a slightly abrasive nylon sponge, but not before trying to peel them off with a traditional dish sponge
Step 5. Rinse the pot with hot water
Run it in and out of the pot until there is no trace of suds and soap left.
Step 6. Dry the pot with a clean cotton tea towel
Alternatively, you can use kitchen paper or a microfiber cloth. In any case, be sure to dry the pot perfectly and check that there are no traces of food or soap. Make sure you have dried it in all its parts before storing it in the kitchen cabinet.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Burnt Food Stains
Step 1. Boil some water with the addition of baking soda inside the dirty pot
You will need two tablespoons of baking soda to dissolve in boiling water (stir with a wooden spoon to help the process). After letting the water boil for a few moments, empty the pot and dry it with a clean rag.
Step 2. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with water to form a thick paste
Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into a bowl, then slowly add the cold water, stirring with the other hand, until you get a paste-like consistency comparable to that of toothpaste.
Step 3. Spread the paste mixture on the burnt food stains inside your Le Creuset pot
Try to form a layer of uniform thickness. You can use your fingers or a piece of kitchen paper.
You can also use the same method to clean the outside surfaces of the pot (or pan)
Step 4. Leave the baking soda mixture on overnight
It will slowly absorb the stain created when you burned food inside the Le Creuset pot.
Step 5. Spray the stain with vinegar
The next day, fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar. It will help clean the cast iron, and will also dissolve the baking soda paste that may have hardened in the meantime.
Step 6. Remove the baking soda by brushing the enameled cast iron gently
Take an old toothbrush and scrub the vinegar into the baking soda stains in circular motions. Continue until the baking soda paste has dissolved completely.
Do not scrub the stains with an abrasive object, such as a scouring pad, as this could scratch the enameled cast iron of your Le Creuset
Step 7. Rinse and dry the pot
Rinse it under cold running water and dry it with a clean cotton rag. If the burnt food stains are still visible, you can repeat the steps from the beginning until you are satisfied with the result.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Le Creuset Tools Made from Other Materials
Step 1. Clean glass utensils by hand
Occasionally you can also wash them in the dishwasher after carefully placing them in the upper trolley intended for the glasses, but more often than not it is best to wash them by hand. Use warm water and a simple dish soap to clean the glass utensils inside and out, then rinse them thoroughly and dry them completely with a clean cotton tea towel.
Step 2. Wash the stainless steel knives in the dishwasher
Le Creuset utensils made of stainless steel can be easily washed in the dishwasher. Alternatively you can wash them by hand.
Always be cautious when handling a sharp knife
Step 3. Carefully dry Le Creuset tools made of wood
It is best to wash them by hand, separately from the rest of the dishes, using hot water and a traditional dish soap. Once they are clean, dry them completely to prevent them from cracking, sagging or mold forming on their surface.
You can make wooden kitchen accessories more durable by rubbing them with mineral oil
Step 4. Wash the silicone parts in the dishwasher
You can remove them from the rest of the utensil (this is the case for example of silicone spatulas with wooden handles) to wash them separately in the dishwasher. The silicone used by Le Creuset is heat resistant, so it should not melt or deform during the wash cycle. Once clean, dry the silicone parts thoroughly before re-joining them to the wooden parts.
