When venturing into the world of cast iron cookware, it can be easy to get intimidated, especially when it comes to cleaning your cast iron pots and pans.

Soap or no soap? Can cast iron go in the dishwasher? How should I dry it? Do I need to take any other steps? Here’s the most straightforward answer you can get.

Can I Use Soap on Cast Iron?

This is probably the most controversial element of cast iron care – you’ll hear plenty of people on both sides of the fence. If you ask your grandmother (or anyone older than 60) if you should use soap on your cast iron pan, you’ll get a firm NO, and possibly a lecture.

But the truth is, soap is a lot less harsh than it used to be, and the seasoning you’ve built up on your cast iron cookware is stronger than you think. If you left harsh soap sitting on your pan for a long time, you might have a problem, but a quick swipe with soap won’t hurt it.

That said, I personally rarely use soap on my cast iron because I usually don’t need to. There are other effective ways to clean cast iron that don’t involve soap at all, and we’ll get to those next. If you do feel the need to use a little soap, don’t stress about it.

Can Cast Iron go in the Dishwasher?

No! Keep your cast iron out of the dishwasher. This is really the one hard-and-fast rule when it comes to caring for cast iron. The dishwasher may damage your pots and pans or cause them to rust. Always wash cast iron by hand.

What’s the Best Way To Get Stuck-On Food off my Cast-Iron?

Once your cast-iron pot has built up months or years of seasoning, the surface will become virtually non-stick. But you may find that there are still a few bits of stubborn stuck-on food. What to do?

A plastic pan scraper is my favorite go-to (avoid metal, which can scratch the surface), but if I notice a lot of food residue, I’ll also scour my pot with coarse kosher salt, which works as a mild abrasive. It’s best to scrub or scour your pan while it’s still warm from cooking, as the food will not yet have hardened.

If a pan is especially greasy, I’ll scrub it with baking soda and a nylon brush immediately after cooking. Baking soda absorbs grease, neutralizes lingering smells, and provides just enough abrasion to lift stuck-on food without harming the surface.removing stuck-on bits.

How to Dry Your Cast Iron Properly

Drying your cast iron thoroughly after washing is one of the most important steps in preventing rust.

Cast iron is, after all, iron, and iron rusts when exposed to moisture. While small rust spots aren’t the end of the world, avoiding will save you a lot of stress.

After washing, dry your pan completely with a lint-free towel or paper towel. Then dry it again. Seriously, this step matters!

To make sure all moisture has evaporated, I often place the pan on the stovetop over low heat for a few minutes. The gentle heat ensures any remaining water disappears before storage.

Never let cast iron soak in water.

Should You Oil Cast Iron After Cleaning?

Some people recommend wiping your cast iron cookware down with a coating of oil after cleaning, but you have to be really careful with this. If you do rub your pots and pans down with oil, make sure it’s the thinnest coating possible. If you use too much oil, it will get sticky or gummy, as oil tends to do when it dries.

I occasionally oil my pans after cleaning, but I also season them regularly (sometimes just for fun), which helps maintain a strong, smooth surface.

If you make a mistake, you can almost always fix it, even if that means starting fresh with the seasoning. With basic care and a little patience, cast iron can easily last for decades.