Unboxing an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is an unparalleled feeling. You’ve saved, scouted sales, and scoured factory-to-table events in search of your favorite color, and now you finally have your hands on a sleek and shiny beauty. Holding the (lowkey really heavy) crown jewel of the kitchen in your hands, it’s impossible not to dream about the dishes you’ll create. And rightfully so—a Dutch oven is a kitchen workhorse, and if you’re cooking regularly, it’s a vessel you’ll likely reach for a few times each week.

All that use means wear and tear, and you’ve probably run into the universal frustration of stains, especially if your enameled interior is white. And not just any stains–those deeply embedded, soul-crushing stains that make you feel like you just flushed your cookware investment dollars down the drain.

Stains are inevitable (especially if you want all the flavor that comes from searing meat and veggies), but you don’t have to let them steal your joy! There’s a magic pantry staple that makes cleaning 10x easier without harming the precious enamel coating on your pan—and that’s baking soda.

Baking soda can do so much more than leaven cakes and deodorize your fridge. This miracle pantry staple can make getting stains out of enameled cast iron a breeze. It’s cheap, available at every grocery store, and a great way to protect your cookware investment from the heartbreak of scorched  tomato sauce, a little too much browning from last night’s stew, or that burnt-on residue from forgetting to set a timer. Here’s how to restore your precious pot to its fresh-out-the-box glory.