If you, unfortunately, are wondering how to remove stains from Le Creuset enamel, you’re fortunate I burnt mine. Follow along for how to clean a burnt Le Creuset dutch oven.
I’m not sure if the following statement makes me sound old but I remember when owning a Coach purse, or a Le Creuset dutch oven, or a KitchenAid Mixer meant that you either had money to spare or you had saved up your whole life to buy one. The one kitchen item I saved up for years to purchase when I was young (and poor) was this dutch oven.
I have always cooked in it and cared for it carefully. Then I scorched the bottom of my porcelain coated dutch oven. I might have sat down and cried a bit when I realized that even days and days of scrubbing was not going to save my pot.
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I was so traumatized that I don’t have a real before picture but you’ll see some of the before still. . .
After actual days of scrubbing, the scorched pot just wasn’t getting better. Can you see how bad it was? So, bad. Feel free to cry a little. I want to every time I see these pictures.
I tried soaking. I tried a bunch of Pinterest ideas. Still no progress.
In desperation, I just coated the bottom of the pot in toothpaste and left it for a day.
And guess what? It worked!
How to Clean Burnt Le Creuset Dutch Oven
Materials Needed to remove stains from Le Creuset enamel:
- Toothpaste (I used Colgate)
- Toothbrush (or another soft scouring brush)
- Water
Instructions on How to Remove Stains from Le Creuset enamel
1. Coat the bottom of your Le Creuset dutch oven with toothpaste (again, I used Colgate).
2. Leave for a few hours to overnight.
3. Add a bit of water to freshen up the toothpaste.
4. Grab an old toothbrush and scrub for about three minutes.
Almost immediately, it should be clear you are making progress. I couldn’t believe it!
4. Scrub for a few more minutes.
5. Then rinse out the pot with water.
It was amazing! I might have cried again. Happy tears this time!
All in all, I scrubbed at the pot for about ten minutes but the entire time wasn’t scrubbing.
Here’s how it went:
Scrub for three minutes, help a kid get a drink, scrub for thirty seconds, console a kid who got bit by their older sister, punish the older sister, scrub for a couple minutes, kiss a boo-boo, and finish scrubbing – then rinse.
Isn’t this how cleaning always goes with kids? If your answer is “no” I don’t think we can be friends. Ok, we could be friends but you might have to deal with my jealousy over your perfectly behaved children.
If your answer is “no” I don’t think we can be friends. Ok, we could be friends but you might have to deal with my jealousy over your perfectly behaved children.
The end result is amazing, isn’t it?!
Even better? The toothpaste washes all the way off. No lingering toothpaste taste in our food, which I can’t always say about our dish soap for some reason.
All in all, I’m happy with my toothpaste journey and its amazing ability to remove stains from Le Creuset enamel dutch ovens!
Do you have any fun uses for toothpaste?
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Nicole Chandler says
I have no idea who you are, but if this works, you will be my my friend forever!!!