It's Safe to Use Soap On Cast Iron
Attempting to find the definitive answer on how to clean cast iron pans, skillets and other cast iron cookware is dicey territory. The subject has caused countless kitchen squabbles over the years. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to learn the debate over can you use soap on your cast iron is what actually sparked the legendary feud between the Hatfields and McCoys way back in the day.
The divide boils down to those who believe cleaning cast iron with a little soap won’t do any harm, and those who react as if you’re threatening a beloved family member at the mere idea of any suds touching their perfectly seasoned skillet. Although one side might feel a bit more dramatic, they’re both understandable.
Most people who are strongly against using soap on cast iron products had the lesson passed down to them from a parent or grandparent. There was a good reason for that, according to Ashley L. Jones, author of Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More.
“Our grandmothers told us to never, ever use soap or it would remove the pan’s seasoning,” Jones tells FIRST. “They were right, because the soap used back then contained lye, which will strip a cast iron pan down to the silver.”
Lye is an alkaline metal traditionally derived from wood ash. In its natural form it’s extremely corrosive, so cleaning a cast iron pan with it would strip away all the seasoning — i.e., the protective layer of carbonized oil that prevents rust and keeps food from sticking to the pan.
Is lye safe to use on cast iron?
Part of the reason for the confusion over the soap vs. never-soap debate, stems from the fact that you often hear that soap today “does not contain lye,” making it safe to clean cast iron with — but that’s not a full answer. Lye is still used in the soap-making process today — even by major manufacturers — just like it has been for thousands of years. That’s because it is an essential part of the soap-making process; when mixed with fats, it goes through a process called saponification and the end result is soap.
So, it’s not that soap is safe today because we took lye out of the equation — it’s that when soap is made correctly, the lye is completely neutralized by the saponification process.
The difference today is that we now regulate the soap industry — in decades past, less stringent monitoring of products meant there were soaps on the market that didn’t fully neutralize the lye. In those days, using even a small amount of soap to clean your cast iron could risk damaging it, which is where the “never use soap!” camp of advice began.
There are some important factors to bear in mind, though.
Which soap is safest to use on cast iron?
Unless you’re making your own soap at home and playing fast and loose with the rules, or you’re buying it via a wormhole to the early 20th century, whichever brand you’re using is perfectly safe to use on your cast iron.
You may have seen chatter online that soap like Dawn isn’t safe—it cleans oil off ducks, surely it will strip your cast iron pan! — but this is simply not true.
Here is how Sydney Cooper from Smithey Ironware Company recommends cleaning a cast iron pan with soap:
How did people used to wash cast iron?
Back in the day when soap wasn’t a reliable method, salt was the go-to agent for getting a cast iron pan clean, thanks to its gentle abrasiveness. And, yes, you can still use salt today to clean cast iron.
How to wash a cast iron pan with salt
The folks at Field Cast Iron Cookware Company—who promise “a little soap now and then is fine”—suggest this method for using salt to clean your cast iron.
How do you fully re-season cast iron?
While the quick re-seasoning methods above are good for day-to-day use, typically you’ll need to fully re-season your pan about once or twice a year. The easiest way to tell it’s time is if your pan starts looking dull. If that’s the case, just follow these easy steps from Lodge:
Can you repair a rusty cast iron pan?
Even if you baby your cast iron, a little rust is normal now and then — and typically all you need to do is scrub the offending spot, then follow the quick re-seasoning process above. But if you’re attempting to restore a badly rusted pan, you can follow these steps from Southern Cast Iron.
One thing all experts agree on?
“For the love of god, don’t put it in the dishwasher!” says Peter Huntley, founder of Stargazer Cast Iron Company. Doing so will cause the pan to rust and remove all that hard-won seasoning.
For more cookware cleaning tips click the links below:
Culinary Pro: The Best Way to Season a Cast Iron Skillet + The Mistake Most People Make
This Easy Hack Will Clean the Stained Underside of a Burnt Pot With Zero Scrubbing
How To Clean Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances and Pots
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