Q: My Teflon-coated skillet has food residue that’s been cooked on over the years. Would you have any information about how to clean it and restore the nonstick quality? It has not been damaged in any way, and I never put it in the dishwasher.
— Mary Ann Reiser
Cuyahoga Falls
A: Most nonstick cookware manufacturers warn against using anything scratchier than Bon Ami or Soft Scrub and a scrubbing pad that’s labeled as safe for nonstick cookware. However, it’s OK to use plenty of elbow grease when you’re cleaning your skillet.
Boiling some water and a little detergent or baking soda in the pan might help loosen cooked-on food, but it might not be enough to remove a carbonized buildup. Dawn Power Dissolver is great for removing that kind of gunk, but you shouldn’t use it if the nonstick surface is scratched, manufacturer Procter & Gamble says.
Unfortunately, Dawn Power Dissolver has been discontinued, but online retailers including Staples.com, WaresDirect.com and BettyMills.com still sell it by the six-pack. Sometimes it’s listed as “Dish Power Dissolver.”
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.