One of my personal mottos is “If things are nice to work with, I’m more inclined to work.” And by “nice,” I mean, they actually work—they do what they’re intended to do without any glitches.

For me, another part of “nice” is how things look. I dislike using dirty appliances, tools, and materials. Besides emptying the cannister of my vacuum after using it, I will dust the machine. I always thoroughly wipe my hand mixer and its cord after each use. I keep our toaster oven crumb-free and sparkly shiny. I’m not saying anyone else should follow this pattern. I’m just saying I’ve found over the years that doing so makes it easier for me to do what needs doing.

With that thought in mind, let’s talk about that kitchen workhorse, the baking sheet. I find this tool so much more pleasant to use if it’s shiny bright and clean. If you agree or would like to know what it’s like to have shiny bright baking sheets, here are some tips to keeping them this way, or restoring them to their original beauty.

By the way, there really is more than looks at stake. Baking experts say that if grime isn't adequately removed, baking sheets can become unsafe to cook or bake on. The good news is, all it takes are some common household ingredients to get them ship-shape. The materials you need to clean baking sheets will depend on the method you choose, but here are some things to keep on hand.

• Baking soda


• Hydrogen peroxide


• Vinegar


• Cream of tartar


• Water


• Aluminum foil


• Dish soap


• Small bowl


• Non-abrasive sponge


• Microfiber towels

The combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide helps break down grease and grime and lifts stuck-on residue from baking sheets. All you do is sprinkle baking soda generously over the baking sheet and pour hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda so it forms a paste. Then sprinkle more baking soda on top of the paste. Let the mixture sit for 2 to 3 hours. Scrub the sheet using a non-abrasive sponge and rinse it thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry.

Vinegar is another ingredient that also cuts through grease and lift stains. When used with baking soda, this acid is very effective. Just sprinkle about a 1/4 cup of baking soda over the surface of the baking sheet. Pour vinegar over the baking soda and let the mixture fizz and sit for 30 minutes (or overnight for tougher stains). Scrub using a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse the sheet thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry.

Aluminum foil or a copper sponge are great scouring tools and can remove the toughest grime. However, you shouldn't use this method on baking sheets that are non-stick as will damage the surface. Take a piece of aluminum foil and crumple it into a loose ball. Apply dish soap directly to the baking sheet and scrub. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda as an abrasive, if needed. Rinse the sheet thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry.END

Finally, baking sheets can also be cleaned and shined with cream of tartar. It’s an acid that's excellent for lifting stains. Mix cream of tartar with a small amount of water to create a paste. Spread the paste over the baking sheet's surface. Let the paste sit for 30 minutes to an hour then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse the sheet thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry.

Going forward, consider lining your now sparkly baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats before using. They’ll stay clean, shiny, and that means they’ll be so much more pleasant to use!