Why Salt is the Secret Ingredient for Cleaning Cast Iron

Let me be honest — when I first started cooking with cast iron in my early twenties, I was clueless about how to clean it. I tried everything: dish soap, scrubbing pads, even letting it soak (yikes). And every time, I ended up with a rusty mess that made me wonder why people were so obsessed with these heavy old pans in the first place.

But after ruining a couple of skillets and doing a lot of trial and error, I found one simple, game-changing solution: salt.

🧂 Why Salt Works So Well on Cast Iron

Salt might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to cleaning cookware, but it’s seriously underrated. Coarse salt acts as a natural abrasive that scrubs away stuck-on food without damaging your seasoning — which is exactly what makes cast iron so great in the first place.

Unlike dish soap (which can strip that seasoning) or steel wool (which can scratch and gouge the pan), salt gently removes debris while leaving that beautiful, non-stick layer right where it belongs.

If you’ve ever struggled with cleaning a cast iron skillet after making something like scrambled eggs or seared steak, you know how annoying it can be. Salt makes cleanup easy — no rust, no soap, no nonsense.

🧽 How to Clean Cast Iron with Salt (the Right Way)

Here’s the step-by-step method I use — and what we recommend at Skalecki’s Iron and Salt Co.:

1. Let your pan cool slightly — not ice-cold, but safe enough to handle.

2. Sprinkle a generous handful of coarse salt into the pan (our cleaning salt is perfect for this).

3. Use a damp cloth, paper towel, or scrub pad to work the salt around in circles, loosening any food or grease.

4. Dump out the dirty salt and give the pan a quick wipe-down.

5. Dry completely, then apply a light coat of seasoning oil if needed.

That’s it. No soap. No hassle. Just a well-maintained pan that’s ready for the next meal.

🔥 A Tradition That Works

People have been using salt to clean cast iron for generations — not because it’s trendy, but because it works. It’s simple, natural, and preserves the thing that makes cast iron so great: its seasoning.

And the best part? You don’t need a drawer full of special tools or chemicals. Just a little salt and a few minutes.

🧂 Want to Try It for Yourself?

At Skalecki’s Iron and Salt Co., we make a coarse salt specifically designed for cleaning cast iron — no fillers, no additives, just the good stuff. It’s something I wish I had when I was learning the ropes, and it’s what we use every day in our own kitchen.

If you’re new to cast iron or just tired of scrubbing your pans the hard way, give salt a try. It might just be the simplest upgrade to your cooking routine.

👉 Check out our cleaning salt here and see what a difference it makes.