The directions I got with my Lodge pans was: Do not use soap, just hot water to clean.
Mine have never seen soap. I have stainless steel scratchers that I use with hot water, and they work very well. I always use lard, bacon grease, coconut oil or butter for frying, and nothing sticks. (these are the natural fats with no trans fats.)
I also have a stainless steel set, but I use the cast iron whenever I can because when you cook in them, you are adding just a little more iron to your food and that is good.