Rusty Iron Tawa? Shine It Instantly with Just ₹1 Shampoo, Lemon, and Baking Soda

Mumbai: Cooking on an iron tawa is a kitchen staple, but over time, it accumulates a layer of burnt residue, grease, and even rust, making cleaning a daunting task. A clever home remedy shared by Jamirun Kitchen on social media has gone viral, showing how a rusty tawa can be restored to its shiny glory using just a ₹1 shampoo, baking soda, and lemon.

Why Traditional Methods Fail

Many people try to scrub their tawa with abrasive tools or bricks, which can damage the surface. Jamirun Kitchen’s method avoids harsh scrubbing while effectively removing grime, burnt layers, and rust.

Step-by-Step Method

1. Heat the Tawa and Apply Shampoo
Place the dirty tawa on medium heat until it becomes slightly warm. Pour a small amount of inexpensive shampoo (₹1) onto the tawa. The surfactants in the shampoo penetrate the grease and loosen the layers of grime.

2. Add Baking Soda
Sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda over the shampoo. Baking soda acts as a natural cleaning agent, working with the shampoo to form a foamy mixture that lifts stubborn burnt layers and rust.

3. Scrub Until Crumbly
Use a spatula or spoon to spread the mixture evenly across the tawa. Allow it to cook and dry slightly until it turns crumbly. The black residue will start separating from the surface, indicating that the grime is loosening.

4. Lemon and Water Combination
Once the mixture is crumbly, sprinkle a little water over the tawa and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. The acidic nature of lemon reacts with the baking soda, removing remaining rust and black residue almost instantly.

5. Scrub with Lemon Peel
Hold the lemon peel with a fork and rub it over the tawa. The peel acts as a natural scrubber, helping reach edges and corners without touching the hot surface directly.

6. Final Rinse and Drying
After scrubbing, carefully remove the tawa from the stove. Use steel wool lightly to wipe off the remaining residue and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Once dry, apply a thin layer of oil to prevent future rusting.

Results

The tawa shines like new without heavy scrubbing or chemicals. This simple, inexpensive trick uses everyday kitchen items to restore even the most neglected iron cookware, making it safe and hygienic for regular use.