See the chart below for tips to deal with: Gray/Metal Marks; Baked-On Food; Spots/Film on Glassware; Coffee/Tea Stains; Nonstick Cookware Staining; Burned-on Food; and Darkened Aluminum.

 

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Gray/Metal Marks

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Gray or metal marks on dinnerware	Knife or fork drawn across the surface of some types of dinnerware, generally the stronger, harder ceramic materials. A spoon used to stir in a stoneware cup.	Scour gently with mild abrasive cleanser, baking soda or plastic mesh pad. Same as above

 

 

Baked-On Food

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Baked-on food in casseroles, other bakeware of glass or glass-ceramic material	Cooking certain types of food such as those containing cheese, gravies, eggs or pie fillings.	Scour gently with mild abrasive cleaner, baking soda or plastic mesh pad. Soak in a solution of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and/or baking soda and water to loosen soil. Do not use any automatic dishwasher detergent product for hand washing unless recommended by the product manufacturer. Do not use metal scouring pads as they may scratch the surface.

 

 

Spots/Film on Glassware

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Spots and film on glassware	Wash water temperature too low. Insufficient amount of detergent.	Increase water temperature and rinse thoroughly in hot water. Increase amount of detergent.

 

Editor's note: Also consider a water softener to prevent mineral deposits.

 

 

Coffee/Tea Stains

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Coffee, tea stains on plastic or china cups	Cups not rinsed and washed soon after using.	Use a special cleaner made for coffee pots and cups, or a solution of 1 tablespoon (15 ml) liquid or powdered sodium hypochlorite bleach in 1 quart (.95 L) of water. Certain oxygen bleaches can be used. Follow label directions. Another method is sprinkle baking soda onto a damp cloth or sponge, rub surface until clean, rinse and dry. Avoid the use of an abrasive cleanser which may abrade the surface and make the cups more subject to stains.

 

 

Nonstick Cookware Staining

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Staining of nonstick cookware	Minerals in water, baked-on fat, food stains or the use of excessive heat.	Use any one of the following solutions: To 1 quart (.95 L) of water, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) coffee pot cleaner, Or To 1 cup (240 ml) of water, add 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of oxygen bleach. Let the solution simmer in the stained pan for 15-20 minutes. Wash the pan thoroughly, rinse and dry. Then recondition the pan with cooking oil or shortening before using. To prevent staining, use the lowest heat that will do the job.

 

 

Burned-on Food

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Burned-on food in pans	Cooking at too high a temperature or too long a time.	Bring a solution of baking soda and water (3 tablespoons to 1 quart) to a boil in the soiled pan. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and allow to cool. If soil remains, scrub with baking soda sprinkled on a plastic scouring pad or sponge; rinse and dry.

 

 

Darkened Aluminum

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
Darkened aluminum	Exposure to certain minerals and alkalis in some foods and water.	Boil a solution of 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) of cream of tartar, lemon juice or vinegar to 1 quart (0.95 L) of water in the utensil for 5 to 10 minutes. Then lightly scour with a steel wool soap pad. Cooking an acid food such as tomatoes will also remove the stains and will not affect the food. Clean with a metal cleaning product recommended for use on aluminum. Follow package directions.

 

 

About ACI

The American Cleaning Institute℠ (ACI - formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market.  ACI  members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers.  ACI and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.