Eco‑friendly cleaning hack: Remove rust from baking sheets with onions

Are your baking sheets swathed in rust? Don't fret; this is a common issue that can be difficult to counter. Nonetheless, there's an easy way to remove this rust from oven trays without resorting to potent chemical concoctions. All you need is an onion and some sugar.

Rust and stubborn grime on oven trays can be frustrating. Often, people resort to strong chemical solutions which don't consistently provide satisfactory results. It's time for a change - a combination of onion and sugar proves to be surprisingly potent in tackling stubborn grime. I learned this technique from my grandmother.

An onion, despite being a humble vegetable, has many unknown characteristics. One of them is its ability to remove rust due to its acidic pH. This makes its juice an effective rust cleaner.

Commercial cleaning products often contain harsh chemical substances which, apart from being expensive, may also trigger allergic reactions. This is why it might be worthwhile to opt for eco-friendly alternatives, like fresh onions and sugar.

There are two methods of using an onion to clean rusty baking sheets.

Method 1: Scrub with an onion

1. Choose a sizable, juicy, fresh onion.
2. Halve the onion.
3. Dust the onion with powdered sugar.
4. Scrub the rusted sheets with the onion halves.
5. Rinse the sheet well with clean water and dry it thoroughly.

Method 2: Onion paste

1. Grate an onion.
2. Combine the grated onion with a tablespoon of sugar.
3. Apply this paste onto the rust afflicted areas.
4. Leave it on for about 2 hours to allow the natural enzymes in the onion to act.
5. Thoroughly clean the sheet and dry it off.

Both methods are effective at eradicating rust from baking sheets, but method 1 requires more physical exertion. While method 2 is simpler, it necessitates a longer waiting period.

When you start questioning the effectiveness of commercial oven sheet cleaners, try using onions and sugar. This simple, homegrown solution not only saves money but also promotes eco-friendly and allergy-friendly cleaning. Ditch that stubborn grime and reclaim oven sheets that sparkle like new.