Home & Garden Cleaning & Laundry

How to Clean Rust Off a Cast Iron Skillet

By Home & Garden Last updated Wednesday, April/24/2019

1). Scrub the skillet with steel wool and warm water. Continue scrubbing until all the rust has been removed. If the warm water doesn't seem to do a thorough job, use a harsh cleaner such as Ajax or Comet. Rinse the skillet with cold water and inspect the skillet. Repeat the process until all the rust has been removed.
2). Wash the skillet with a mild dish detergent and warm water. Dry the skillet with a towel.
3). Re-season the skillet. It is necessary to re-season the skillet to prevent food from sticking to the skillet. Coat the skillet with vegetable oil. Work the oil into the skillet with a paper towel. Place the skillet upside down in an oven on a baking sheet. Bake the skillet at 350 degrees for one hour. Wipe the skillet with a paper towel and allow it to cool.
4). Protect the seasoned coating by always cleaning it with oil and salt. Never use soap to clean a seasoned skillet. Clean a dirty skillet with oil and salt, and rinse it well with hot water. Place the skillet over a low heat and allow it to thoroughly dry.