Get Baked-On Food Off a Pan With a Dryer Sheet

It sounds like an old wives' tale, but it works: a dryer sheet soaked in a dirty pan loosens baked-on food better than an hour of scrubbing.

How to do it

1. Fill the pan with hot water and a drop of dish soap.
2. Lay one dryer sheet flat in the water so it's fully submerged.
3. Let it sit at least an hour — overnight for the really bad ones.
4. Pour out the water and wipe. Most of the mess comes off with a sponge.

The softeners in the sheet break the bond between the food and the pan. Works on casserole dishes and cookie sheets too. Rinse well before you cook in it again.