If you're like most home cooks, your baking sheets have seen better days. Those once-shiny pans are now coated in a stubborn layer of baked-on grease, burnt bits, and dark stains that no amount of regular dish soap seems to touch. You've probably tried the classic vinegar and baking soda fizz—it's a go-to for many cleaning hacks—but if it left you disappointed with spotty results and extra scrubbing, you're not alone.

The good news? There's a superior alternative hiding in your medicine cabinet: hydrogen peroxide. Paired with baking soda, this duo creates a powerful, effervescent reaction that lifts grease and grime with minimal effort. In fact, multiple tests from sources like The Kitchn and Bon Appétit have crowned this method the winner over vinegar-based options, often requiring less elbow grease and delivering shinier results.

Why Hydrogen Peroxide Beats Vinegar

Vinegar is acidic and reacts with baking soda to create bubbles (mostly carbon dioxide), which can help loosen some debris. But for tough, polymerized grease on baking sheets, it often falls short—neutralizing the baking soda too quickly and leaving behind residue.

Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is an oxidizer. When mixed with baking soda (a mild abrasive and base), it breaks down organic stains and grease at a molecular level through oxygenation, without the quick fizzle-out. The result? Deeper cleaning, especially on "seasoned" pans with years of buildup. Experts note it works better on flat, baked-on stains and requires less scrubbing.

Plus, both ingredients are cheap, non-toxic, and likely already in your home.

The Simple Step-by-Step Method

You'll need:

• Baking soda
• 3% hydrogen peroxide (the standard brown bottle from the pharmacy)
• A spray bottle (optional, but handy)
• A non-abrasive sponge or plastic scraper
• Dish soap for the final wash

Instructions:

1. Prep your pan: Place your dirty baking sheet on a flat surface or in the sink.

2. Sprinkle generously with baking soda: Cover the entire surface (including edges and corners) in a thick, even layer—about 1/4 to 1/2 cup, depending on the pan size. Don't skimp!

3. Spray with hydrogen peroxide: Fill a spray bottle with peroxide for easy application, or pour it directly. Spritz or drizzle enough to dampen all the baking soda, turning it into a paste. It should be wet but not swimming—aim for a fizzy, paste-like consistency. For extra power, add a second layer: more baking soda on top, then more peroxide.

4. Let it sit: This is the key to hands-off cleaning. For moderate grime, wait 2-3 hours. For heavily greased or old pans, leave it overnight (8-12 hours). The mixture will bubble gently and turn brownish as it lifts the gunk.

5. Scrape and scrub: Most of the paste should scrape off easily with a plastic scraper or spatula. Then, use the abrasive side of a sponge with warm, soapy water to wipe away any remnants. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

6. Admire the results: Your baking sheet should look dramatically cleaner—often nearly brand new!

Tips for Best Results:

• For non-stick pans, avoid abrasive tools to prevent scratching the coating.
• If stains persist, repeat the process or spot-treat with a thicker paste.
• Prevent future buildup by lining sheets with parchment paper or foil for messy bakes.

This method has transformed countless grimy pans, saving cooks from buying replacements. Say goodbye to endless scrubbing and hello to sparkling sheets—your cookies (and roasted veggies) will thank you! Have you tried this hack? Let us know in the comments.

Warning: Dont Mix H2O2 with Vinegar

Many people turn to natural cleaners like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for their effective disinfecting properties, assuming that combining them would create an even stronger solution. However, mixing these two common household items directly—such as in the same spray bottle or on a surface without wiping in between—produces peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid) through a chemical reaction between acetic acid (in vinegar) and hydrogen peroxide. While peracetic acid is a powerful disinfectant used commercially in controlled concentrations, the homemade version forms unpredictably, leading to potential hazards.

Peracetic acid is highly corrosive and can irritate or burn the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs, especially in poorly ventilated areas. It may also damage surfaces like metals, plastics, or fabrics more aggressively than either ingredient alone. Although household concentrations (typically 5% vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide) produce only dilute peracetic acid, making severe immediate harm unlikely in small amounts, experts strongly advise against mixing them due to these risks. Instead, for enhanced disinfection, apply one (e.g., vinegar) to a surface, let it sit for a few minutes, wipe clean, then apply the other (hydrogen peroxide)—this "tag team" approach avoids the reaction while still providing strong antimicrobial effects.