Using abrasive steel wool on the wrong surfaces can cause damage. Steel wool is an effective tool for cleaning, sanding, and removing rust, but there are some materials you should never use it on.

Scrub the pan and rinse. Lastly, use a spatula to scrape any larger pieces and steel wool to scrub." Amazon $5 (was $9.17) ...

For everyday washing, Billerman sticks with classic Dawn dish soap: “It’s a de-greaser and is really great at getting my pots and pans clean,” she says. Use with a steel wool scrubby and ...

Make sure your sink is plugged so your pans stay submerged, and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing away with a scouring pad, steel wool, or the scrubby side of your sponge.

The hack was uncovered after one Reddit user said they were having difficulty cleaning their frying pan and didn't want to use steel wool on it for fear of scratching the non-stick coating.