I've decided that once you break out a Steel Wool Pad,

[no_hypocrisy]

you tend to go on a tear, scrubbing all the bottoms of your pots and pans until your arm aches or the pad falls apart.

[ret5hd]

1. you HAVE to...if you don't...

and you set it on the counter for longer than 3.25 minutes it turns into an iron oxide dust that crumbles from your fingers as soon as you pick it up.

Science, man. It’s just science.

[Shermann]

2. Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges are as aggressive as I get

If a pan can't be cleaned with one of those, it is totaled!

[lamp_shade]

3. I cut them in quarters with scissors.

[niyad]

4. Exactly!

[NJCher]

9. does that also sharpen your scissors?

like cutting sandpaper?

I've read that as a tip. Haven't tried it.

[lamp_shade]

10. I don't know. I never thought about that.

[ret5hd]

11. No, but the scissors are VERY clean.

[NJCher]

12. I tried it

cut off just a little piece so I didn't go on a tear and scour the bottom of every pan I owned. Worked great; had no qualms about throwing that little bit away when I was done.

[niyad]

5. Baking soda, vinegar, and one of those green sheets.

[Meadowoak]

6. Barkeeper's friend.

[PTL_Mancuso]

7. Bon Ami is a suitable choice for pre-Barkeeper Friend use since it's gentler on the skin (and the pots)

[BWdem4life]

8. ,,,

Scour-off paste by Shaklee works well.