Cleaning a Witch’s Cauldron with Bar Keepers Friend

October 23, 2024

Halloween is the season of the witch: witch’s brooms, black hats, capes, and cauldrons. However, a witch’s cauldron, unlike other pots, isn’t for cooking food. It’s for casting spells, creating magical brews, burning mind-altering incense, and more. As much as a witch’s cauldron is used, especially this time of year, and the variety of things that are boiled, burnt, and sacrificed in the cauldron – they can get filthy, even encrusted. So, how do you clean a witch’s cauldron? The best witches know the answer: you clean it with Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser.

Witches have used BKF Powder to clean their cauldrons and more since 1882. Yes, Bar Keepers Friend has been around that long. 

We asked our friend Molly Dyer, the eighth great-granddaughter of Moll Dyer, the 17th-century witch. Last year, Molly helped us with How to Clean a Witch’s Broom. Here’s her advice.

Cleaning a Witch’s Cauldron with Bar Keepers Friend

Randy: “So, Molly, how do you clean a witch’s cauldron with Bar Keepers Friend?”

Molly: “First of all, be sure it’s a high-quality enameled iron. Surprisingly, the cauldron will be easier to clean with BKF than most witches realize. I mean, we burn herbs, incense, bat wings, and other things. It can get pretty nasty. You start by dampening the cauldron with warm water. I use a spray bottle. Next, make a paste using Bar Keepers Friend and water. After you make the paste, use a soft cloth to apply the paste to the cauldron. I do the inside and out while I’m at it. Then let it sit for one minute, not any longer. After one minute, rub the paste in a circular motion from the center outward. Wash it in hot, soapy water, and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Rinse and repeat as needed. I also chant a cleaning spell while wiping it in a circular motion, which I always do counterclockwise, for the energy.”

Randy: “Molly, may I ask what the chant is?”

Molly: “Sure, first I light a white candle, then scatter some black salt, and then ring my small brass bell. The chant is Mundus pergo tersus tergo, which I repeat seven times.”

Randy: “Thank you, Molly! When do you clean your cauldron?”

Molly: “On October 30th, of course.”

Here’s a short video from Staub Cast Iron Cookware. It’s not a cauldron, but you’ll get the idea.

“Caring for STAUB cast iron cookware is a breeze. Bar Keeper’s Friend or baking soda will take care of any stubborn spots, and when you’re done cleaning: just dry off and put it away.– (Instagram video) Staub Cast Iron USA 

Bar Keepers Friend is highly effective on enameled cast iron but is not recommended for non-enameled cast iron.

Pro Tip: Never use cleaning products with abrasive ingredients or scouring pads on your witch’s cauldron.

What are your Halloween traditions? Will you be cleaning a witch’s cauldron? If so, let us know, and send us photos. You can upload them here!

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends (after COVID-19), he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.