Cleaning Cast Iron with Soap

Certain cast iron dos and don'ts get handed down from cook to cook, much like heirloom skillets themselves. DO: fry eggs, bake cornbread, and roast vegetables! The don’t side is a bit more complicated. Definitely don’t leave your skillet wet or clean it in the dishwasher. But rules like “don’t cook with tomatoes” have exceptions, and “don’t use soap!” is a cast iron myth we’re ready to retire altogether.

Vintage Pans, Old-School Rules

The idea that cast iron and soap don’t mix dates to the days when household soaps and cleaning agents included harsh active ingredients like vinegar and lye. These old-fashioned soaps were avoided for good reason: acids like vinegar can strip seasoning, and lye-based products can damage both seasoning and the underlying iron.

Today, most dish soaps don’t contain harmful, abrasive ingredients and are perfectly safe for use with cast iron cookware and just about everything else in your kitchen. These modern soaps can be classified as de-greasers: they’re designed to cut through tough, greasy stains, making it easy to remove lingering food residue. If you have stubborn or strong-flavored residue on your skillet, a hit of soap will help.

So, it’s fine to soap up your skillet! Here are a few tips on when to lather up:

Washing Cast Iron with Soap

Cleaning Cast Iron: The Field Method

The key to reliable cast iron cookware is seasoning: a well-seasoned skillet will deliver non-stick performance and clean up with just a quick wash — with or without soap. Apply a dab of Field Seasoning Oil after cleaning to protect your skillet and build durable non-stick seasoning.